A cow that has gone down and can't stand back up — downer cow syndrome — is one of the most common emergencies in cattle farming. Every hour counts: the longer the cow stays down, the lower her chances of recovery. Here's a step-by-step guide to what to do.
Why can't a cow stand up?
The most common causes are well known to veterinarians:
- Milk fever (hypocalcemia): the leading cause in dairy cows, especially within 48 hours of calving.
- A difficult calving: pressure on the pelvic nerves as the calf passes through can cause temporary paralysis of the hind legs, known as obturator paralysis.
- Acute infections: septic mastitis or metritis, accompanied by shock, fever and a drop in blood potassium.
- Trauma: slipping on a concrete floor, splayed hind legs, or a bone fracture.
- Metabolic disorders: hypophosphatemia, hypomagnesemia or hypokalemia.
The real danger: prolonged recumbency
The paradox of downer cow syndrome is that the original cause is often treatable. It's the complications of prolonged recumbency that can prove fatal. When a 700 kg cow remains down, her own weight compresses her muscles and restricts blood flow. Within a few hours, this can lead to muscle degeneration, known as compression myopathy.
What happens when a cow stays down?
- From six hours: muscle damage from pressure on the side she is lying on
- Pressure sores and other wounds at contact points
- A gradual decline in feed and water intake
- Slower digestion and the onset of metabolic disorders
- Worsening injury with each failed attempt to lift her
Emergency measures, hour by hour
1. Call your veterinarian immediately
Only a clinical examination can determine the underlying cause. Hypocalcemia requires calcium administration, while an infection may call for antibiotics. Without a diagnosis, any attempt to move the animal carries risks.
2. Make the cow as comfortable as possible
Lay her on a thick layer of bedding, such as straw or sand, and keep her in a chest-down position — never flat on her side. If possible, change the side she's resting on every three to four hours. Also make sure she has access to water and roughage.
3. Never drag the animal with a tractor
Pulling a cow by the legs or lifting her abruptly with a poorly positioned hip clamp can cause additional injury, sometimes worse than the original condition.
4. Lift her gently as soon as possible
At this stage, supported lifting can make all the difference. A pneumatic lifting cushion like Air-cow gradually lifts the animal within about ten minutes, without creating concentrated pressure points. The cow can remain in the device for several hours or even days while treatment takes effect, with only periodic monitoring required.
What are the chances of recovery?
With prompt treatment of the underlying cause combined with early lifting, most recumbent cows can stand again within 24 to 96 hours. Real-world experience confirms this: cows that would otherwise have had to be euthanized have stood up after one night or a few days in the Air-cow cushion, once they received proper veterinary care under the right conditions.
The golden rule is simple: don't wait. A cow that has been down for less than 24 hours and is lifted under the right conditions has a significantly better chance of recovery than one left on the ground for several days.
