Metritis causes long term decreases in the milk production of multiparous Holstein dairy cows

Background: Metritis, an infection of the uterus, is one of the most common diseases in dairy cows during early lactation. Although metritis is known to reduce milk production during the disease, no work to date has investigated its long term effectsinvestigateditslongtermeffects. Aim: To determine how metritis influences milk yields in dairy. Methodology: •Milk production and metritis data were compiled from two experiments. Metritis was diagnosed using vaginal discharge scores. •Milk yields were analyzed in 6 week intervals, with multiparous (MP) and primiparous (PP) Milk Production: Including CullsMilk Production: Excluding CullsMetritisHealthy dischargecows considered separately. •Estimates of the effects of disease on yield may vary depending on the inclusion of animals that are culled during that lactation. We thus analyzed the results with and without culls.