Respiratory distress in Holstein cows fed corn silage: case report

An outbreak of respiratory distress was observed in Holstein cows immediately after consuming a new batch of corn-silage, presumably due to the presence of pneumotoxic gases. Signs were observed in 10% of the cows, and characterized as tachypnea, orthopneic position, cough and notable anxiety a few...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Sosa, Emiliano, Ricci, Patricia, Di Leo, C., Lombardi, B., Escapil, J., Turcato, Adolfo, Crivella, R., Canton, German Jose
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2023
País:Argentina
Institución:Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria
Repositorio:INTA Digital (INTA)
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:localhost:20.500.12123/16088
Acceso en línea:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12123/16088
https://revistas.unne.edu.ar/index.php/vet/article/view/7056
https://doi.org/10.30972/vet.3427056
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Rumiante
Disnea
Maíz
Raza Bovina
Enfermedades de los Animales
Ruminants
Dyspnoea
Maize
Gases
Cattle Breeds
Animal Diseases
Raza Holando Argentino
Descripción
Sumario:An outbreak of respiratory distress was observed in Holstein cows immediately after consuming a new batch of corn-silage, presumably due to the presence of pneumotoxic gases. Signs were observed in 10% of the cows, and characterized as tachypnea, orthopneic position, cough and notable anxiety a few minutes after offering the silage. No deaths were recorded. Mild leucocytosis was observed in the hemogram. Nutritional analysis and nitrate determination of the corn-silage revealed usual values. Nitrous oxide and methane concentration were evaluated by gas chromatography and nitrogen oxides concentration directly with a portable device, resulting in acceptable values. Although high concentrations of toxic gases could not be evidenced in the air sampled on farm, the clinical signs observed coincide with those reported in cases of exposure to gases formed during corn silage processes. A greater emphasis is required in the evaluation of the corn to be ensiled, given the possible existence of factors that can generate the accumulation of potentially toxic gases for cattle that affect negatively their health and productivity.