Prognostic indicators for survival of downer cattle treated using a flotation tank in a referral hospital: 190 cases (2000‐2020)

BACKGROUND: Nonambulatory cattle present therapeutic challenges in addition to animal welfare concerns. Flotation therapy is a treatment option, but more information regarding prognostic indicators for survival is needed to guide use of this modality. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: Evaluate historical and clinical variables assessed during hospitalization as prognostic indicators for survival in recumbent cattle undergoing flotation treatment in a referral hospital. ANIMALS: A total of 190 nonambulatory dairy cattle. METHODS: Retrospective case series. Medical records were analyzed from cattle undergoing flotation between 2000 and 2020. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the association of clinical variables with survival to discharge. RESULTS: Eighty‐nine of 190 (47%) recumbent cattle survived to discharge. For each additional day of hospitalization, cattle were 1.10 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02, 1.21) times more likely to survive. Cattle unable to walk out of the tank after their first float session were 0.11 (95% CI, 0.04, 0.28) times less likely to survive compared to cattle that could and inappetent cattle were 0.22 (95% CI, 0.07, 0.63) times less likely to survive compared to cattle with normal appetites. Cattle diagnosed with coxofemoral luxation or toxemia were 0.11 (95% CI, 0.02, 0.65) and 0.16 (95% CI, 0.02, 0.90) times less likely to survive, respectively, compared to cattle with causes of recumbency that were undetermined. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Walking out of the tank after the first float session, appetite, diagnosis, and days of hospitalization are associated with outcome in nonambulatory dairy cattle treated by flotation. These findings can be used to determine likely outcome and guide treatment, referral, or euthanasia decisions.