Calfhood Diseases

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Calfhood Diseases

• AVS346
• Dairy Cattle Technology
• David Marcinkowski

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Causes of Death in Calves

• Scours
• Pneumonia

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Percent of Heifer Deaths
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Causes of Scours

• Bacteria
• E. coli - Most common cause
• Salmonella
• Clostridium Perfringens
• Viruses
• Rota and Corona
• BVD and IBR
• Protozoa
• Coccidia
• Cryptosporidia
• Dietetic Forms - Caused by nutrition
• Imbalance, overfeeding or underfeeding

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Eschericia coli Scours

• Common inhabitant of the GI tract
• Most common cause of scours
• There are a number of strains that can cause
  problems but the most prevalent is K99
• E. coli mastitis is caused by different strains
• Usually hits calves under 10 days of age, most
  commonly 3-4 days after birth.
• It is also common for the organism to be an
  opportunist working with other organisms

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Clinical Signs of Scours

• Feces usually yellow or white with little blood
• Calf dull and depressed
• Eventually will collapse
• Body temperature usually normal or below
• Severe cases - calf is dead in 12-24 hours

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Prevention of Scours

• COLOSTRUM
• Vaccination of the dam
• J5 vaccine - protects cow against mastitis and
  calf against scours
• E coli scours vaccines
• Monoclonal antibody preps
• Probiotics - Lactobacillus

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Prevention of Scours

• Clean calving area
• House calves individually
• Sanitize feeding equipment
• Avoid sudden changes to diet
• Avoid feeding waste milk
• Biosecurity

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Salmonella

• Common inhabitant of the GI tract
• Many different strains of the bacteria  - DT102
  resistant to antibiotics
• More prevalent in hot weather
• Usually affects calves gt2 weeks old
• Clinical signs
• High fever
• Bloody scours
• High mortality
• Treat with intensive antibiotic treatment

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Protozoal Scours

• Coccidia and Cryptosporidia most common
• Public health problem - Immune compromised people
  can get really sick from contaminated water
• Runoff from calf pens can contaminate water
  supplies
• Usually cause a bloody scours that is
  unresponsive to antibiotics
• Often complicated with other organisms
• Older animals usually develop immunity

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Prevention of Protozoal Scours

• Cleanliness, cleanliness cleanliness!!!
• Disinfect facilities between calves
• Feeding medicated milk replacers and starters
  with ionophores or other coccidiostats

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What Kills the Calf?

• Dehydration
• Starvation

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Treatment of Scours

• Mild Cases
• Oral electrolytes
• Replace body fluids
• Commercially available
• Mixed with common household products
• Mix any product carefully-ion balance
• Do not mix with milk replacer etc.
• Must provide energy source and alkalizing agent
• Severe cases
• High fever, severe dehydration and/or pneumonia
• IV electrolytes,
• Broad spectrum antibiotics (bolus or injection)
• Non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs -NSAIDS

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Treatment

• Develop treatment protocols with veterinarian
  based on the severity of the clinical signs
• Isolate sick calves and give them additional TLC
• Keep feeding then their normal diet of milk or
  milk replacer
• Treat every 4-6 hours with electrolytes (oral or
  IV)
• Use antibiotics based on experience and vet
• Treat orally not more than two days
• If fever/pneumonia present - treat systemically
• Use K-99 antibody products if you suspect E. coli

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Pneumonia

• Caused by a number of organisms
• Bacterial - Pasteurella
• Viral IBR, PI3, BVD, BRSV
• Complexes
• Treat clinical signs
• Temperature elevated
• Depression, off feed
• Nasal discharge, crusty muzzle
• Coughing, rapid breathing

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Pneumonia Prevention

• Provide good ventilation
• Not drafty
• Keep dry and well-bedded
• Feed enough feed in cold weather
• Avoid nose-to-nose contact
• Minimize competition
• Vaccinate dame
• Avoid buying calves
• Use antibiotic based on experience