STOCK SPRING ECZEMA
Taking the sting out of spring eczema Words by: Lisa Whitfield
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pring eczema is one of those diseases which rarely makes the list of things to be considered on a seasonal basis. This is probably because of the sporadic nature of cases, the unknown cause, and therefore the inability to prevent it. Spring eczema cases are typically seen between September and November. Cows or calves show signs that their skin is burning, particularly on white patches and the udder, when they are out in daylight. They fluctuate between being depressed, hiding on the ground to being agitated, flicking their tail, legs, head and ears. They often have a high body temperature. At night, or when out of direct UV light, the cows are more relaxed and comfortable, and will generally graze. As a vet, the ongoing days of pain The underlying cause of the these cows suffer is not something disease is not known, however I fully comprehended until I had it is associated with low-grade to care for a case myself. It is not liver inflammation – the acceptable to leave these cows liver enzymes (GGT and somewhere where they cannot GLDH) are often slightly to get out of direct exposure to UV moderately increased in acute light. cases. My role as vet historically ended Lisa Whitfield This week I have been looking after I had given affected cows an after a cow with spring eczema, and I injection or two and I drove out the farm have made some observations which have gate. While I often wondered how the changed what I would recommend as cow was doing, I now know the drugs we acceptable care of cows suffering from this have available are not strong enough to condition, and indeed any animal with stop affected cows from experiencing pain. photosensitivity. Onfarm management of affected cows is where the biggest difference is made to Diseases where their pain levels. photosensitivity is a clinical The conflict of not wanting to create sign are not just painful, they more work for yourself at a busy time are severely painful. of year, versus meeting the needs of the Therefore the best pain relief available animal, make it easy for judgement to be should be provided and all efforts have to clouded. The time and effort to lock a cow go into providing an environment onfarm away in a shed during the day, and to let which minimises pain and suffering while her out for grazing only at night I believe the cow experiences photosensitivity. should not be negotiable.
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A weaned calf with skin loss on its back from spring eczema. Cows are smart – given the opportunity they quickly learn where to escape from the pain source (light).
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It took 24 hours of observation for me to realise that putting a cow in a paddock with trees is not sufficient care for a photosensitivity case. Shade moves and changes in size and availability. Cows will do their best, but in reality during the day, they should be locked somewhere where they have no choice but to be out of direct UV light. The cow I observed walked determinedly over 1km in the opposite direction to the herd after milking, alone, and put herself into a hayshed on the second day of having use of it. She quickly learned that that was where her pain was lowest. On the third day, she took herself out of her night paddock and went to the hayshed as soon as the sun came out.
Dairy Exporter | www.nzfarmlife.co.nz | October 2021
