Calf Mortality - Beef herds

1. Calf Mortality - Beef herds In North America, approximately 10% of the calf crop is lost between pregnancy diagnosis and weaning. (VCNA March 1994)

2. Calf Mortality - Beef calves Commonly reported causes: Dystocia (17.5%) Stillbirths (12.4%) Hypothermia (12.2%) Diarrhea (11.5%) Respiratory disease (7.6%) These five conditions accounted for > 60% of all calf deaths The cause of death was not determined in 19.7% of the calves (WittumTE, et al. JAVMA 1993)

3. Calf Mortality Birth to Weaning Beef calves - 4 to 6% Dystocia, diarrhea, pneumonia Exposure to inclement weather Dairy calves - 5 to 10% Dystocia, stillbirths, congenital defects Diarrhea, pneumonia Nutritional diseases

4. Calf Mortality - Beef herdsDystocia Dystocia The most common cause of perinatal calf mortality, is directly responsible for over 50% of calf deaths with 69% of all calf death occurring in the first 96 hours. (VCNA, March 1994) Dystocia causes indirect losses by increasing the risk of calves developing infectious disease Exhaustion in calf and cow Weakness and injury to calf and/or cow Swollen tongues in calves Failure of passive transfer

5. Calf Mortality - Beef herds Diarrhea is the most important infectious disease related to these losses. In any given year, about 10% of herds experience outbreaks of diarrhea in which 4% or more of the calves in the herd die (Acres,SD 1976). In 1990, Schumann found that 4% of beef herds in Alberta experienced a death loss of greater than 4% due to scours. In general, one should expect that between 4 - 16% of cow/calf clients will experience unacceptable calf mortality in any given year. (VCNA, March 1994)

7. Diarrhea Common complaint in agricultural animal practice involving all age groups and species Most situations are associated with the ‘net accumulation of fluid and electrolytes within the intestinal lumen. Increased motility is rarely an issue

8. Diarrhea mechanisms Secretory diarrhea – active electrolyte secretion or decreased active electrolyte absorption mediated by intracellular second messenger systems. Fermentative/osmotic diarrhea – diarrhea associated with unabsorbed solute in the gut lumen. Increased mucosal permeability and Inflammation

9. Active Electrolyte TransportSecretory Diarrheas Bacterial enterotxins – E. coli, Salmonella Entertoxins – activate ‘second messengers’ Heat-labile toxin (LT) activates cAMP Heat-stable toxin (ST) activates cGMP cAMP – abolishes certain absorption pathways and enhances secretion cGMP – affects absorption

11. E. coli Septicemia (Colisepticemia) Associated with Failure of Passive Transfer Enter via navel, gut, or tonsils Shed via nasal, oral, urine, feces “Endotoxemia” Localize in joints, eyes, CNS

12. Osmotic (fermentative) Diarrhea Osmotic affect in lumen plus some stimulation of net secretion Enteric viruses Ex. Villous damage, maldigestion, abnormal fermentation, osmotic affects - diarrhea

15. Mucosal permeability and Inflammation Mucosal damage – increased permeability Mucosal infiltrative disease

16. Salmonellosis Dairy > Beef  * Dairy replacement calves in beef herds Oral transmission most common Diarrhea ? Septicemia Zoonotic

17. Clostridium perfringens C. perfringens types A, B, C and D Type C most common in calves Type B and D occasionally in calves Type A?  Most cases under 2 weeks (up to 3 months) Disease in older calves: on high grain diet with change in diet

18. Coccidiosis Calves >17-21 days old Like other diarrheal diseases - caused and influenced primarily by MANAGEMENT “Blood tinged” diarrhea Ill thrift, poor doers

20. Risk Factors “Inexperienced” immune systems Lots of bugs in environment viruses bacteria protozoa Infection is common disease is less common Disease results when virulence and/or infection load exceeds calf’s resistance

22. Focus Areas for Prevention

23. Prevention Measures Prevention of calf diarrhea centers on the following 5 principles: 1. remove source of infection from the calf’s environment 2. remove the calf from the contaminated environment 3. increase non-specific resistance of the calf 4. increase specific immunity of the calf 5. reduce stress

24. Removal of Infection from Calf’s Environment Avoid herd confinement during winter feeding Don’t calve on feeding ground Move cows/heifers into calving area 1-2 weeks prior to calving Don’t over-confine during calving

25. Removal of Infection from Calf’s Environment Calve on well drained ground , scrape free of snow 1000-2000 sq ft/cow - if possible Dress with straw or shavings UDDER SCHEMATIC - SLIDE LARSON’S E.M. - SLIDE UDDER SCHEMATIC - SLIDE LARSON’S E.M. - SLIDE

26. Removal of Infection from Calf’s Environment Muddy, wet ground => require more sq.. ft./cow Rotate calving areas from year to year Provide adequate shelter Clean calving areas and leave vacant through summer months

27. Remove Calves from Contaminated Environment Similar measures to those already discussed Prevent crowding Contamination can occur in < 2 weeks Farm personnel, veterinarians, and equipment can be sources of contamination

28. Remove Calves from Contaminated Environment Move cow/calf pair off calving grounds in few days (once nursing) Herds > 100 head - split into groups of 50-75 cows/calving area Fall calving? UDDER SCHEMATIC - SLIDE LARSON’S E.M. - SLIDE UDDER SCHEMATIC - SLIDE LARSON’S E.M. - SLIDE

29. Increase Non-Specific Resistance Assist birth if necessary (minimize stress) Feed colostrum if no suckling w/in 2 hrs Watch for mis-mothering desertion of calves by heifers or cows in crowded environment UDDER SCHEMATIC - SLIDE LARSON’S E.M. - SLIDE UDDER SCHEMATIC - SLIDE LARSON’S E.M. - SLIDE

30. Increase Non-Specific Resistance Encourage cow/calf bond a.s.a.p. Monitor dystocia calves Avoid induced parturition UDDER SCHEMATIC - SLIDE LARSON’S E.M. - SLIDE UDDER SCHEMATIC - SLIDE LARSON’S E.M. - SLIDE

31. Increase Non-Specific Resistance

32. Colostral [IgG1] - Beef vs. Dairy

33. Increase Specific Immunity  Variable immunity to certain agents Previous exposure of dam Vaccination

34. Vaccination for Enteropathogens Variation between field and vaccine strains Most vaccines require boosters may not occur in beef operations No “all-encompassing” vaccines No vaccine will not make up for inadequate management

35. Types of Vaccination Rotavirus, Coronavirus and E. coli IM to Dam Scour Guard 3 (K/C) or (K)® ; Calf-Guard® Oral to Calf Calf-Guard®

36. Types of Vaccination E. coli Genecol 99® : give orally as soon as possible after birth (< 12 hours) Numerous other brands

37. Reduce Stress Definition of stress? How do you measure stress? Limited ability of calf to adapt changes in environment Eg. newborn calves do not regulate their temperature well

38. Important Stress Factors Inclement weather Poor ground surface conditions Crowding

40. Treatment of Calves with Diarrhea Calves with diarrhea die from fluid, electrolyte and acid/base derangements energy deficits (hypoglycemia, ‘agroceryosis’) bacteremia / septicemia / toxemia Treatments must address these needs

41. Treatment of Calves with Diarrhea Fluids (with salts and buffers) Energy/Nutrition Antibiotics? Nursing/Support

42. Treatment of Calves with Diarrhea Fluids route type amount

43. Route of administration Oral (IV, SC, etc.) Calves with cold extremities (ears, legs, etc.) and have difficulty walking (or are down) are usually poor candidates for oral fluids.  Get help!

45. Type of Oral Fluids Commercial electrolytes, buffers, sugars Home made 1 can beef broth 1 package pectin (Sure Gel) 2 tsp lite salt 2 tsp baking soda add warm water to make 2 quarts

46. Amount of Oral Fluids Consider: % dehydration (5-12%) maintenance (1 gal / 100 lbs/ day) ongoing losses  Example: (100 lb calf, 5% dehydrated): will need 7 1/2 quarts of fluids (+ ongoing losses) in a 24 period !

47. Treatment of Calves with Diarrhea Fluids (with salts and buffers) Energy/Nutrition Antibiotics? Nursing/Support

48. Treatment of Calves with Diarrhea Fluids (with salts and buffers) Energy/Nutrition Antibiotics? Nursing/Support

49. Treatment of Calves with Diarrhea Fluids (with salts and buffers) Energy/Nutrition Antibiotics? Nursing/Support