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Calf Mortality in Cow Herds . Floron C. Faries, Jr., DVM, MS Professor and Program Leader for Extension Veterinary Medicine Texas A&M University System College Station, Texas. Calf Scours. Causative Disease Agents Calf Ages Bacteria E. coli <5 da C. perfringens B, C 5-30 da
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Calf Mortality in Cow Herds Floron C. Faries, Jr., DVM, MS Professor and Program Leader for Extension Veterinary Medicine Texas A&M University System College Station, Texas
Causative Disease Agents Calf Ages Bacteria E. coli <5 da C. perfringens B, C 5-30 da C. perfringens D >30 da Salmonella >15 da Viruses Rotavirus 5-15 da Coronavirus 5-15 da BVD >30 da
Protozoa Cryptosporidia 5-30 da Coccidia >15 da
Calf Ages Disease Agents <5 da E. coli 5-15 da Rotavirus Coronavirus C. perfringens B, C Cryptosporidia
15-30 da C. perfringens B, C Cryptosporidia Coccidia Salmonella >30 da Coccidia Salmonella C. perfringens D BVD
Disease Agent Sources • Carrier Cows, Heifers • Manure – Vulva, ground (teats, haircoat, grass, hay) • Diseased Calves • Scours – Ground (haircoat, grass, hay)
Calf Pathology/Signs • Intestinal Mucosa Damage • Irritation, necrosis, toxins • Diarrhea, Dehydration • Malabsorption • Hypersecretion • Colon fermentation, fluid retention
Electrolyte Imbalance • Acidosis – bicarbonate loss • Body Weakness • Reduced Nursing • Possible Septicemia
Causative Disease Agents • E. coli • Lepto
Causative Disease Agents Bacteria Pasteurella H. somnus Viruses IBR PI3 BRSV BVD
Stress • Weather • Weaning
Disease Incidence Factors • Carrier Cows, Heifers, Calves - Disease agents • Contaminated Environment - Disease agents • Stressed Cows, Heifers - Suppressed immunity • Disease agent shedding • Reduced colostrum quantity • Reduced colostrum globulins (quality)
Thin Cows, Heifers – Low Energy Diet • Reduced colostrum quantity • Reduced colostrum globulins (quality) • Heifers Colostrum – Lower quantity, quality • Calves Late Colostrum Intake • No local, systemic immunity • >6 hrs, >24 hrs after birth
Calves, Low Colostrum Intake • Weak local, systemic immunity • < 10% body weight – First 24 hrs • Weak local immunity • <10% body weight – Second day • <10% body weight – Third day • Stressed Calves • Dystocia, cold stress • Colostrum intake – Low, late • Heat stress • Globulin absorption - Reduced
Disease Management Practices • Sanitary Measures • Maternity pasture • 7 da pre-calving to 1 da post-calving • 15 acres per 75 females • Rotate pastures anually
Nursery pasture • 3 wks • 20 acres per 75 pairs • Rotate pastures annually • Nursing pasture • 3 wks post-calving to weaning • Prevent overcrowdedness
Treatment pasture/pen • Isolate diseased calves • 1 wk minimum • Haying, Supplement Feeding Facilities • Rotate locations • Manure removal
Shelter Facilities • Manure removal • Prevent Stress in Pregnant Cows, Heifers • Provide shelter, wind breaks • Energy diet (grain) – last trimester • Assure calf nursing • Within 6 hours of birth
Identify Reasons for Late/Low Colostrum Intake/Absorption • Abandoned calf • Calf can’t find teat • Big teats • Weak calf • Calf kicked off • Calf not mothered • Udder not distended • Caesarean cow/heifer
Bottle Feed Non-nursing Calf • Within 6 hrs of Birth • Colostrum quantity – 5% body weight • Next 18 – 24 hrs • Colostrum quantity – 5% body weight • Days 2 and 3 • Colostrum quantity – 10% body weight
Disease Diagnostic Procedures • Laboratory Tests of Fresh Scour Specimen • Bacteria culture/antibiotic sensitivity • Virus isolation • Protozoa demonstration
Disease Vaccination Practices • Pre-calving Vaccination of Pregnant Cows, Heifers • Procedures • Intramuscularly, subcutaneously • 2 doses, 2-3 and 6-8 wks before calving • 1 dose annually
Products • E. coli K-99 Bacterin • Rotavirus/Coronavirus Vaccine (Killed, Modified live) • C. perfringens C,D (B) Bacterin (7-way Blackleg) • Lepto (5–way) • IBR/PI3/BRSV/BVD • Pasteurella • H. somnus
Vaccination of Calves at Calving • Procedures • Orally • 1 dose at birth • Products • E. coli K-99 Monoclonal Antibody • Rotavirus/Coronavirus Vaccine (Modified live)
Disease Treatment Practices • Dehydrated Calves • Procedures • Orally, intravenously, intramuscularly • Products • Oral electrolytes – 1 to 2 qts. Every 6 to 8 hrs. • Intravenous electrolytes • Antibiotics – E. coli septicemia
Genetic Defects • Homozygous Recessive Genes • Double Recessive Genes • Passed by both Parents
Anal Atresia • Scrotal Hernia • Cryptorchidism • Cleft Palate • Over-shot Jaw • Mulefoot • Dwarfism • Five-legged • Supernumerary Teats • No Teats • No Tail
Twinning • Genetic Inheritable (1% Rate) • Free Martins • Lighter Birth Weights • Heavier Dual Weaning Weights • Retained Placentas • Dystocias • Perinatal Calf Mortality • Reduced Fertility • Increased Nutritional Requirements