Effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug administration following parturition on milk yield, postpartum disorders and reproductive parameters in lactating dairy cows

In this study, effects of carprofen, as a long-acting non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), administration to decrase pain following calving on changes in body weight (kg) between days 1-15, 15-30 and 1-30 postpartum, the first 150 days milk yield, postpartum diseases, milk electric conductivity scores, estrous activities based on pedometer and reproductive parameters were investigated in lactating cows. Physiologic saline (Control; n=50) or Carprofen (1.4 mg/kg; Rimadyl®, n=50) was administered subcutaneously within 12 hours following parturition. All cows were normally calved (eutocia). Vaginal discharge was visually examined on 25-32 days postpartum. Cows were artificially inseminated (AI) following Ovsynch protocol or estrus detected with pedometer. Incidences of retained foetal membranes, metritis, mastitis were not differed between groups. Occurence of pathological vaginal discharge was significantly (P 0.05) higher in Carprofen (%25.6 [10/39]) group than that in Control (%7.3 [3/41]) group. There were no differences in intervals from calving to the first detected estrus and AI, pregnancy per AI, changes in body weight nor 150 days milk yield between groups. Rate of at least one detected estrus until 70 days postpartum was significantly ( P 0.05) higher in Control (%97.7 [42/43]) group than that in Carprofen (%84.6 [33/39]) group. In conclusion, Carprofen administration following calving did not increase milk yield or fertility in euthotic Holstein cows in this study. No increase in the incidence of retained foetal membranes or metritis following carprofen administration in this study could allow to use of carprofen immediately after calving for therapoetic purposes in euthotic cows.