Mortality (including euthanasia) among Danish dairy cows (1990-2001).
Mortality among Danish dairy cows was examined using data from the Danish Cattle Database (DCD) and a questionnaire survey. Mortality risk has increased from approximately 2% in 1990 to approximately 3.5% in 1999. The increased mortality was seen for all dairy breeds and all age groups. Mortality among older dairy cows (parity 3 and older) was approximately twice the mortality among younger cows. 30-40% of deaths were during the first 30 days of the lactation. Approximately, 58% of dead dairy cows had been euthanised. Replies from the questionnaire indicate that the proportion of euthanised cows has increased in the past 5 years. In 86% of all deaths (questionnaire survey) a primary reason could be identified; 25% were for locomotor disorders.
Thomsen
Peter T
PT
Department of Animal Health and Welfare, Danish Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Research Centre Foulum, PO Bor 50, DK-8830 Tjele, Denmark. petert.thomsen@agrsci.dk
Kjeldsen
Anne Mette
AM
Sørensen
Jan Tind
JT
Houe
Hans
H
D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000401:mortality*; D002423:Cause of Death; D003612:Dairying; D016208:Databases, Factual; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D037901:Euthanasia, Animal / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D007775:Lactation Disorders / Q000401:mortality / Q000662:veterinary; D007794:Lameness, Animal / Q000401:mortality; D010298:Parity; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires