Changes in Activity and Milk Components Around the Onset of Peripartum Diseases in Dairy Cows

Activity and milk components were examined around disease onset in the periparturient period. Cows were monitored for daily rest bouts, rest duration, rest time, and step activity from -21 to +30 d relative to calving. Lactose concentration, fat to protein ratio (F:P), and milk yield were monitored. Diseases analyzed were assisted calving, mastitis, subclinical ketosis (SK), and a multiple disease category (MULTI) for animals who experienced more than one disease. Rest bouts decreased (d 0), step activity increased (d 0), and rest duration decreased (d -1) in animals that experienced assisted calving compared to controls. Mastitic cows showed fewer rest bouts (d -4, -3, -2, -1, and 0), increased activity (d -4, -2, and -1), decreased rest time (d -6, -5, -4, and -2), and decreased milk yield (d -4, -2, -1, 0) compared to controls. Cows with SK showed increased activity (d -5, -4, -3, and -2), decreased rest duration (d -7, -6, -5, -4, and -3), rest time (d -7, -6, -5, -4, -3, and -2), milk yield (d -4, -3, -2, -1, and 0) and lactose concentration (d -3, -2, -1, and 0) compared to controls. Animals categorized as MULTI showed increased activity (d -6, -5, -4, -3, and -2), increased F:P (d -2, -1 and 0), decreased rest time (d -5, -4, -3, and -2), and decreased lactose concentration (d -6, -5, -4, -5, -3, -2, -1, and 0) compared to controls. Deviations in activity and milk components could be used to proactively manage herd health.