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The objective of this study was to determine the association of neonatal calf diarrhea (NCD) with step activity and lying behaviors in pre-weaned dairy calves. Calves were housed in individual hutches for the first 6 days of life, and then moved into a group pen. On the day of birth, calves (n = 30) were fitted with an accelerometer, and step activity and lying behaviors were recorded. Calves were assigned a fecal score (FS) twice daily using a 0 to 3 scale, and were diagnosed with NCD (n = 10) when the score was a 3. To ensure the only association noted was due to NCD, calves that had any other health complications were excluded from analyses (n = 1). Calves with NCD were pair matched by age, breed, and birthdate to a healthy calf. Day 0 was designated as the date of NCD diagnosis. Calves with NCD spent less time lying (P < 0.05) and displayed more lying bouts (P < 0.05) of a shorter duration (P < 0.01) than healthy calves. Specifically, calves with NCD displayed more lying bouts on days -7 (P < 0.05), -6 (P < 0.01), -5 (P < 0.01), -4 (P < 0.01), and -3 (P < 0.05). Similarly, lying bout duration was shorter for calves with NCD on days -6 (P < 0.05), -5 (P < 0.05), -4 (P < 0.01), and -3 (P < 0.01). Additional research is needed to examine if these tools can be used to identify diseased calves prospectively.

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This research communication addresses the hypothesis that Southeast dairy producers' self-reported bulk tank somatic cell count (BTSCC) was associated with producers' response to three statements (1) 'a troublesome thing about mastitis is the worries it causes me,' (2) 'a troublesome thing about mastitis is that cows suffer,' and (3) 'my broad goals include taking good care of my cows and heifers.' Surveys were mailed to producers in Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia (29% response rate, N = 596; final analysis N = 574), as part of a larger survey to assess Southeastern dairy producers' opinions related to BTSCC. Surveys contained 34 binomial (n = 9), Likert scale (n = 7), and descriptive (n = 18) statements targeted at producer self-assessment of herd records, management practices, and BTSCC. Statements 1 and 2 were assessed on a 5-point Likert scale from 'strongly disagree' to 'strongly agree.' Statement 3 was assessed on a 5-point Likert scale from 'very unimportant' to 'very important.' Reported mean BTSCC for all participants was 254 500 cells/ml. Separate univariable logistic regressions using generalized linear mixed models (SAS 9.4, Cary, NC, USA) with a random effect of farm, were performed to determine if BTSCC was associated with probability for a producer's response to statements. If BTSCC was significant, forward manual addition was performed until no additional variables were significant (P ≤ 0.05), but included BTSCC, regardless of significance. Bulk tank somatic cell count was associated with 'a troublesome thing about mastitis is the worries it causes me,' but not with Statements 2 or 3. This demonstrates that >75% of Southeastern dairy producers are concerned with animal care and cow suffering, regardless of BTSCC. Understanding Southeast producers' emphasis on cow care is necessary to create targeted management tools for herds with elevated BTSCC.

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Despite the widespread implementation of mastitis control programs, mastitis is the most common and one of the costliest diseases in the dairy industry, with broad-ranging impacts and consequences. Recent technological advances have allowed researchers to assess the effects of mastitis on animal behavior and welfare, and the efficacy of mastitis treatments. Several nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are available as supportive therapies for clinical mastitis. This article focuses on recent advances in the assessment, therapy, and effects of mastitis on cow behavior and welfare.

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OBJECTIVE: To investigate the serum and synovial fluid serum amyloid A (SAA) response in equine models of synovitis and septic arthritis and to compare handheld and validated immunoturbidometric assays for SAA quantification. STUDY DESIGN: Controlled, experimental study. ANIMALS: Healthy adult horses (n = 9). METHODS: Synovitis (n = 4) and septic arthritis (n = 5) were induced using lipopolysaccharide and Staphylococcus aureus, respectively, and serial serum and synovial fluid samples were collected. Serial synovial fluid cytology was performed for both models and synovial fluid from the septic arthritis model was submitted for bacterial culture. Serum and synovial fluid SAA were quantified by handheld test and immunoturbidometric assay. Cytologic and SAA data were compared within and between models (mixed model ANOVA) and results of SAA assays were compared using category-by-category analysis (weighted kappa coefficient). RESULTS: Synovial fluid total nucleated cell counts and total protein increased significantly following induction of both models. Serum and synovial fluid SAA remained normal in synovitis horses and increased significantly in septic arthritis horses. Serum SAA increased more rapidly than synovial fluid SAA. Agreement was 98% when SAA concentrations were low (<50 µg/mL) but the assays diverged when concentrations were greater than ∼100 µg/mL. Overall, there was good category-by-category agreement between SAA assays (weighted kappa = 0.824). CONCLUSION: Serum and synovial fluid SAA may be useful adjuncts in diagnosing septic arthritis in horses. SAA concentrations for the assays diverged and examination using a larger sample size is needed before direct numeric comparisons between the assays can be made.

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It is clear that clinical mastitis has severe detrimental effects on the animal and negative economic impacts for dairy producers. However, pain associated with clinical mastitis, generally, is not measured and not treated. Attention to behavioral and physiologic indicators should be used to monitor animal health. New technologies may allow dairy producers to identify clinical mastitis in its very early stages, or even before clinical changes occur. Furthermore, automated measures of activity, such as step counts and lying time, show promise as predictors of clinical problems. These new technologies, in addition to other automated measures, have the potential for improving the screening methods for preclinical mastitis and accurately predicting the onset of a clinical mastitis event. With this opportunity for very early detection of infection, there is a potential for early intervention with NSAID therapy, which may allow for maximum efficacy from its use. Despite which specific NSAID is used, it is clear that the benefits on temperature, rumen function, SCC, milk production, behavior, and pain sensitivity in animals during mastitis indicate that this therapy has a role throughout the dairy industry. As the health and well-being of dairy cattle continue to be scrutinized by consumer groups, it is essential that the alleviation of any perceived pain or discomfort associated with clinical mastitis should be addressed.

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