Testing of AQUA COW RISE SYSTEM (R) for lifting up downer cows with regardto practicability, effectiveness, cost efficiency, as well as diagnostic, therapeutic and prognostic aspects

In a field study, taking place from November, 1994, to July, 1995, the pick up appliance AQUA COW RISE SYSTEM(R) (consisting of a water tank, the AQUA BOX, which gets filled with water and the cowstretcher, necessary for the transport of the cow) was used to put up 50 downer cows, having still been in recumbency after several pretreatments. After asking the case history an d clinical examination the cows were "flooded". During a total of 82 uses 3 0 cows were flooded once, 13 twice, 5 three times, one cow five times and o ne cow six times. With 22 (44%) of these 50 cows the treatment was found su ccessful in a followup examination after two weeks. AQUA COW RISE SYSTEM(R) is a gentle method to pick up recumbent cows. It is helpful in diagnostic regard, because the ability to stand can be judged. In therapeutic regard i t is helpful because of the long lasting being upright in the warm water wi th the loss of weight, the reduced pressure on the muscles and nerves, the improved supply with blood and the improved self-confidence because of the ability to stand in the water. A bad prognosis could be made for those cows whose sensorium was disturbed, who could not stay lying upright, who had a body temperature above 39,0 degrees C and who showed inappetence. During t he application of AQUA COW RISE SYSTEM(R) the cows, who could not be healed , showed more insufficient weight-bearing in the water and while draining t he water, more often they where in recumbency again after leaving the AQUA BOX and showed inappetence after the last "flooding". Because of the price of the heatable water tank, maintenance costs, and the time required, the s ystem is hardly cost-effective. This may not be true for cheaper modificati ons.