Scientific Data to Support the Use of Drench Products
SCIENTIFIC DATA TO SUPPORT THE USE OF DRENCH PRODUCTS
Diamond City Farm Supply proudly distributes the SelektTM line of drenching products in Canada. The SelektTM line is supported by science, and the purpose of this document is to provide a brief overview of some of the science behind the products. Please reach out to Diamond City Farm Supply if you have more questions or would like to order.
Summary: Giving fluids aids in the recovery process for metabolic diseases in the dairy cow. Often there is no need for an intervention with an antibiotic when we are dealing with a metabolic condition. A properly formulated drench may also be used to support a cow that is being treated for an underlying infection. Estimating the hydration status determines whether the cow should receive 20 or 40 liters of a properly formulated drench in warm water. The Selekt line of products have been formulated based on science. The formulas are designed for optimal impact. Individual packages formulated for accuracy and stability combined with fewer and specific ingredients in the SelektTM line are key in avoiding the potential of having unsatisfactory outcomes that has been reported when a “kitchen sink” of goodies coming in a 20- kilogram bag is supplied to a cow. The additional benefit of providing an individual dose is that the finished product with 20 liters of water is isotonic. Giving a hypertonic solution will attract more water to the rumen, further reducing the already taxed volume of the extra cellular fluid. A simple chart is provided by Diamond City Farm Supply to guide the producer when deciding which product to use. A more advanced app will be introduced soon that will enable employees to make better decisions in the selection process.
The SelektTM line is produced in a facility that is GMP+ certified. Sachets are filled in a controlled environment supported by machines that are designed to measure every ingredient very accurately. This means that every sachet or bottle that is manufactured contains the specific amount of ingredients as listed.
Unlike presentations in large bags ingredients segregation is not an issue in small sachets and neither is unwanted exposure to humidity and oxidation that may affect quality, palatability, and ingredients. Storing the contents of a large bag in a sturdy and airtight container and mixing the ingredients before use will alleviate some of the concerns with using a product in a large bag.
The SelektTM line is a line of supplements that are specifically designed for certain metabolic conditions.
Sick cows are dehydrated. Roussell published “fluid therapy in mature cattle” and concluded in a study of 532 cows that 59% of sick cows were dehydrated and were more frequently alkalotic than acidotic. Many dehydrated cattle need supplemental potassium and calcium as well as sodium, chloride and water. He concluded that oral or intra-ruminal administration of fluids is less expensive and often very effective.
Calving is also a cause of dehydration. A study in 2021 published in the Journal of Dairy Science highlighted 2 studies performed 20 years apart confirming this. Also, we know that the dry matter intake around calving is lower, reducing the intake of energy needed for the Na/K pump to rehydrate the cow.
Non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) are commonly used. Common products used are Meloxicam, Ketoprofen and Banamine. Cows that are sick have in most cases already reduced blood flow to the kidneys. NSAIDS are inhibiting Prostaglandin synthesis, and this will cause vasodilation and potentially a further reduction of blood flow to the kidneys. In a study of poor doing dairy cows 37 out of 53 (69%) had renal damage. Giving oral fluids to sick cows that are receiving NSAIDS is a recommended practice.
A study by Little, et al. in 1984 showed that dehydration caused a reduction in appetite and on day three a very reduced DMI (off feed).
The Journal of Dairy Science published in 2020 (104:2185-2194) a study showing calving as a cause of dehydration. Cows eat less around calving; this will result in less available energy. The sodium-potassium pumps in the rumen require energy. This will drive a decrease in water intake. Propionate in the Selekt Calplus presentation provides energy for the pumps.
Another study by Stokes and Goff, 2001 showed that adding water to the supplementation of Calcium Propionate significantly reduced the incidence of metritis in fresh cows. Calcium propionate is the calcium source in the Selekt Calplus presentation. The study from Borchardt et al, provides evidence that metritis in the first lactation has long-lasting negative consequences, particularly for the risk of uterine diseases and reproductive performance, even in their next lactation. Prevention pays.
The ingredient list of Selekt Calplus for fresh cow supplementation is scientifically based. Goff and Horst (1993) mentioned that 50 grams of oral calcium was the lowest amount of calcium needed to result in a measurable increase of serum calcium. That same study showed that calcium propionate was able to increase plasma calcium concentration for a sustained period versus other calcium salts. Selekt Calplus supplies 108 grams of calcium and 7.74 MJ of ME.
A study by Benzaquin (2015) highlights the impact potassium has on magnesium and therefore calcium. Selekt Calplus provides magnesium at the same time as calcium, matching magnesium requirements. Potassium is preventing the absorption of magnesium in the rumen. Feeding anionic salts for 21 days pre-fresh and properly managing a low DCAD diet has shown to reduce the incidence of subclinical hypocalcaemia. Diets or supplements high in potassium can increase DCAD, more cations than anions, this will result in an alkaline metabolic state and a suppression of calcium mobilization and a reduction of the amount of free ionized calcium. J P Goff published in the Journal of Dairy Science the dangers of high potassium and sodium and that these strong cations are a risk factor for milk fever.
We recommend based on this study and other information not to include potassium or sodium in a fresh cow formulation. Cows that are off feed and more than 48 hours post partum will receive postassium by providing Selekt Ruminate.
A Netherlands study showed that administering IV calcium to a cow with no symptoms can result in a short-term oversupply leading to a long-term decrease in blood calcium due to the cow increasing excretion of calcium to get rid of the excess. Providing calcium orally was described in the Journal of Dairy Science in 2014 by C.D. Blanc et. Al, who concluded that total Serum Calcium was lower for Calcium-IV cows than for Ca-oral cows at 20, 24 and 36 hours and was lower than for control cows at 36 and 48 hours. This reinforces the notion that calcium should only be given intravenous when the have stage 2 or stage 3 hypocalcemia. After a cow has been given IV calcium blood calcium concentrations are supported for about four to six hours afterwards (Goff and Horst, 1993) and providing Selekt Calcivit or Selekt Calplus at that time is recommended.
The Selekt Calplus product doesn’t contain phosphate either. Studies in Europe showed the benefits of feeding a low phosphate diet in the transition period as it increases the synthesis of Vit D3 in the kidney which will increase calcium absorption in the intestine. It will also allow increased mobilization of calcium from bone; a consequence of PTH release. Providing supplementary phosphorus alongside oral calcium to a hypocalcemic animal will reduce the absorption of the oral calcium and delay serum calcium concentration correction. Elevated phosphorus increases the chance of down cows dying. In a study by Leduc et al. of 907 postpartum “downer cows”, cows with hyperphosphatemia (> 8.76 mg/dL) were 2.4x more likely to die than cows with a normal blood phosphorus concentration. And only 33% of hyperphosphatemic down cows survived. In the same study Leduc et al., demonstrated that fewer than 25% of postpartum down cows were low in phosphorus. Leduc et al. went on to conclude that, even when untreated, serum phosphorus concentration did not affect postpartum down cow survival. This has also been proved in other studies. Therefore, blanket supplementation of down cows with calcium and phosphorus would be dangerous and incorrect in over 75% of cases.
Benzaquen et al. 2015 published a study showing that dystocia was detrimental to calcium homeostasis. Science supports creating a list of cows that benefit from a drench with the proper calcium and supportive products, and we advise that those cows will be supplemented once with Calplus combined with either 20 or 40 liters of warm water. If 40 liters are given, we recommend adding Selekt Rolites. Never supply 2 Selekt Calplus sachets at the same time or combine Selekt Calplus with Selekt Ruminate as this will result in a severe overdose of calcium and may cause death (Goff et al,2002)
Cows with severe or moderate cases of mastitis may experience endotoxemia. Cows with a gram-positive mastitis may also have circulating toxins. Endotoxemia and calving, (Horst et al., 2019) are common causes of hypocalcemia. Ohtsuka et al, found that septic cows displayed severe depletion alkalosis (High HCO3 and low Cl), an elevated Base Excess. These cows also experienced hypokalemia. Roeder et al, concluded that hypertonic saline with water increased the extra cellular fluid volume, but that this effect was short lived (3 hours). These patients have as stated often hypocalcemia and associated hypomagnesemia. The goal of oral supplementation with Selekt Ruminate is to supply enough calcium and potassium. If the cow is severely dehydrated, she also requires 20 liters of warm water with Selekt Rolites.
Hydrolysate yeast (YHP) enhances ruminal fermentation as demonstrated in the Journal of Applied Animal Nutrition in 2015. YHP contains the whole yeast cell (unlike fractioned products or extracts) and is more readily bioavailable as the cytoplasm is broken up as is the cell wall. The study concluded YHP increased the rate of microbial fermentation of bovine ruminal fluid in all three experiments, as demonstrated by enhanced production of short chain fatty acids, gas and microbial biomass. Most noteworthy was the consistent stimulation of propionic acid production by YHP. The results suggested that YHP may act as a microbial modulator and ruminal stimulant in all the different dietary regimens of lactating dairy cows. Another study from the Warsaw University in 2014 showed that the cell wall with its Beta-1,3 and Beta-1,6 glucans have therapeutic immunostimulatory effects. A study in 2022 published in Animals 2022, 12,2473 found that supplementation of hydrolyzed yeast enhances the nutritional digestibility, rumen fermentation characteristics, and hematology. The above and other papers available on request, make the addition of hydrolysed yeast in our products an asset.
A large study of 23000 cows by Stefan Borachardt from Berlin in 2023 documented an association between BHB at week one, a key indicator of energy metabolism, in dairy cows and cull rate at day 60. Ketosis matters and Raboisson et al., 2014 saw an increased risk ratio for cows with ketosis for displaced abomasum (3.33), retained placenta (1.52), metritis (1.75) and mastitis (1.61). Ketosis reduces milk yield and cause infertility. Ospina et al. that the critical threshold for postpartum BHB concentration was 10mg/ml (1.0 mmol/l) for displaced abomasum, metritis and retained placenta). Propylene glycol is toxic at ≥ 500 gram/day and BHB serum may not respond as quickly. McArt et al., 2011 showed in her study that 9 doses were required for 80% to return to normal BHB levels. Glycerol uses a different pathway to restore normal plasma glucose concentrations and is considerably less toxic. (toxicity at ≥3 liters per day). Combining the benefits of a rapid elevation of glucose in plasma by glycerol makes sense and the addition of hydrolysed yeast is a third source of additional energy for the cow. Ketotic cows’ benefit from fluid therapy as they have a reduced rumination time, a reduction in DMI, a reduced water intake and the ketone bodies as an osmotic diuretic. The literature (JDS 2021) concluded that adding intravenous glucose to the treatment protocol was labor intensive, invasive and there was no increase in average daily milk yield as when compared to the use of propylene glycol alone. The recommended use of Selekt Glycerol Plus is drenching it with 10 liters of warm water. Since most cows are dehydrated providing an additional 20 liters of warm water with dissolved Selekt Rolites is recommended. In a study published in Cattle Practice Wood it was confirmed what producers often state, “unless cows have a displaced stomach, most cases resolve when using a drench with Selekt Glycerol Plus and Selekt Rolites only once and sometimes twice.
The aim for using a supplement for Sub Acute and Acute Ruminal Acidosis is to neutralize the excess acid in the rumen and to return water to the extra cellular fluid. Van Amstel, 1983 studied many anti-acids and showed that MgO was the most effective anti-acid to reduce the PH quickly. Selekt Elevate has sodium-bicarbonate added to prevent over-alkalinization. The hydrolysed yeast reduces the L-Lactate production by Str. Bovis (Bond and Russell, 1996) and the vitamins increase the cellulolytic bacteria (Callaway and Martin, 1997). Selekt Elevate needs to be dissolved in 20 liters of warm water. If the cow is dehydrated 20 liters combined with Selekt Rolites may be recommended.
Cows that are off feed will have a reduced DMI and often an increased osmolarity of the rumen. Cows that are off feed are low in potassium (adopted from Roussel et al., 1998). Little et al., demonstrated that dehydration further reduces the appetite of the cow. Rehydration of a cow that is off feed is therefore critical in the recovery process. At least 20 liters of warm fluids are indicated as is magnesium, energy, calcium and potassium. The hydrolysed yeast will provide vitamins and help restore the rumen. Gentian root has been touted in European literature as an appetite stimulant for ruminants and is added as well. A great indicator for rumen activity are the systems used on many dairies. Most producers report a significant increase in rumen activity within 6 hours after supplementation.
I would like to conclude with some information on a possible scenario about a dairy cow that has a reduced feed intake, a reduction in milk yield, a fever, slow rumination, and dry and tacky feces. The cow is sick with an undifferentiated fever; her symptoms may even point towards Avian Influenza or commonly called “bird flu”.
Cows presented with a reduced feed intake will likely be dehydrated (owing to the failure of a properly functioning ruminal sodium pump). This probably causes dry feces and an energy deficit. Dehydrated cows are liable to develop contraction alkalosis. This condition, the dehydration, and the reduction in feed intake, will all lead to a low blood potassium level. The reduction in rumination is probably caused by poor rumen filling when feed intake is reduced.
This cow needs assistance, she needs energy to fuel the ruminal sodium pump, and she needs oral fluids since she is dehydrated. Her alkalosis and low blood potassium need to be corrected and an increase in rumen fill will stimulate rumination. McGuirk (2001) states that “For oral fluid therapy of adult cattle … the fluid should be non-alkalizing or slightly acidifying unless carbohydrate overload or ruminal acidosis is the established cause of dehydration.”. Our scientifically formulated drenches for this condition do not contain bicarbonate as this can only make the alkalosis worse. Make sure to always first consult the label of the drench you intend to use.
Selekt Ruminate is the product of choice and should be provided with twenty liters of warm water. If the cow is clearly dehydrated, you should also provide her with a sachet of Selekt Rolites in 20 liters of warm water. She needs to be re-evaluated 12 hours later.
We at Diamond City Farm Supply are proud to be representing the SelektTM line in Canada and are happy to further assist you if you have any question.
Written by Dr. Sjoert Zuidhof DVM, MBA