Health and Disease in Calves and Heifers

Overview

Common Disease Problems Neonatal Calf Diarrhea (Scours) Bovine Respiratory Disease (Pneumonia) Other Common Diseases (Navel ill, Arthritis, … )

Dehorning

Vaccination Programs

Impacts of Disease on Future Performance

Take Home Messages

Common Calf Diseases

Scours (Diarrhea)

Pneumonia (BRD)

Septicemia Joint ill (Arthritis) Navel ill (Omphalophlebitis) Meningitis

Bloat

Deficiencies

Malformationswww.canadianhay.com

Studies on the Incidence of Calf Disease

Waltner-Toews

Ontario 1986

CurtisNew York 1988

SivulaMinnesota

1995

VirtalaNew York

1996

Windeyer Ontario

2010Overall

Averages

Diarrhea 20.5 15.1 15.1 28.8 23 20

BRD 15.4 7.4 7.6 25.6 22 15

Other n/a 7.7 1.3 33.2 7.5 5

TOTAL 35 30.2 24 87.6 43 40

Scours (Neonatal Calf Diarrhea)

Case Definition?

Age groups usually affected?

How to identify severity?

Case Definition – Calf Diarrhea

Neonatal Calf Diarrhea (scours)

Manure of looser consistency than normal, that persists for 2 or more days

Decreased appetite, dullness, fever and dehydration

Assessing the Severity of Diarrhea

Scale 0 – 3 0 = normal 1 = semi-formed, pasty 2 = loose 3 = watery

• From Sheila McGuirk’s Calf Health Scoring Chart

• http://www.vetmed.wisc.edu/dms/fapm/fapmtools/8calf/calf_health_scoring_chart.pdf

0 1 2 3

Fecal Scoring System

Assessing the Severity of Dehydration

Assessing the Severity of Dehydration

NormalMild to Moderate Dehydration – Needs Oral Electrolytes

Severe Dehydration – Needs IV Fluids

E. coli 0-3 days of age

Rotavirus 2-3 weeks of age

Coronavirus 2-3 weeks of age

Salmonella 1–5 weeks of age

Cryptosporidium parvum 2-4 Weeks of age

Scours – Common Pathogens

C. parvum

Rotavirus

Coronavirus

E. coli

Salmonella

Main cause of diarrhea in young calves (2-4 weeks)

High morbidity (dehydration, decreased weight gain)

Low mortality

Self-limiting diarrhea

Oocysts very resistant

No effective, specific treatment

Prevention can be achieved with a high plane of nutrition

Halocur oral preparation can be used for prevention

Cryptosporidium parvum in calves

Electrolytes IV vs oral rehydration What about feeding milk?

Stop feeding milk?? Separate feedings of electrolytes

and milk??

Antibiotics – for E. coli diarrhea in very young calves

Metacam for abdominal pain

Scours - Treatment

Vaccine for pregnant cows

Provide adequate amount of good quality, clean colostrum

Decrease contact between calves

Cleaning and disinfection of calf housing

Scours – Prevention/Proactive Approach

Treatment costs

Some death loss:

12.8% ( < 1 week old)

5.1% ( > 1 week old)

Decreased weight gain

Increased risk of getting pneumonia/other illnesses

Economic Impact of Calf Scours

Pneumonia – Respiratory Disease

Definition:

Age groups usually affected?

How to identify sick calves? Symptoms Behaviour

Case Definition - Pneumonia

Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD)

Increased respiratory rate, effort and sound Fever Dullness or depression Decreased appetite Rough hair coat Nasal and/or ocular discharge Coughing

Calf Health Scoring System

Nasal Score

Normal Small amount cloudy discharge, one nostril

Both nostrils, cloudy or excessive clear

discharge

Both nostrils, cloudy, excessive, thick

discharge

0 1 2 3

Assessing the Nasal Discharge

Pneumonia is a multifactorial disease Environment, immunity of calf, pathogens Common pathogens include:

Mycoplasma Pasteurella Mannheimia IBR BVD BRSV PI3

Pneumonia – Causes

Environmental Contributors

Season

Crowding

Mixing

Poor Ventilation

Contact with older animals

Careful Observation and Early Treatment

Systemic Antibiotic Treatment Several effective products Resflor, Excede, Ceftiofur, Baytril, Draxxin

Appropriate housing and nursing care

Consider metaphylactic group treatment

Limited evidence for oral medication

Pneumonia - Treatment

Potential Solutions for BRD

Environment Management

Calving Colostrum Hygiene Housing Nutrition Disease monitoring

Genetics Vaccination

Costs of Respiratory Disease

Medication, labour, veterinary services

Premature cullingDecreased growthDelayed age at first calvingIncreased calving difficultiesLifetime profitabilityWELFARE CONCERNS

Questions about Vaccination Programs

Vaccination to pregnant cows – diarrhea ??

Vaccines for respiratory disease Inforce3, Bovishield, many other products ….

When to vaccinate?

How many times?

Benefits ??

Window of Susceptibility

1 Year

15 MonthsSix Months Weaning

4 Weeks

2 Weeks

7 Mo Gest

First Calving

4 Months Fresh

Preg Check

Birth

.

.

.

10-way MLV booster at 6 and

7 months

10-way MLV Pre-

breeding

Scour Prevention Vaccine

and E.coli (J-5)At entry to dry pen

and booster 3 weeks before calving

.10-way MLV

booster

5-way MLV (BRD)

At 6 weeks

Calf and Herd Vaccination Program

Inforce 3IN

Other Calf Diseases

Scours (Diarrhea)

Pneumonia (BRD)

Septicemia Joint ill (Arthritis) Navel ill (Omphalophlebitis) Meningitis

Bloat

Deficiencies

Malformations

Questions on Dehorning Dairy Calves

When/what age?

Methods of dehorning – Caustic paste Burning horn buds

Most effective method?

Should pain relief be provided? Analgesic, anaesthetics, pain relief

Did this calf have a Lidocaine Block ????

Did this calf have a Lidocaine Block ????

Pain at Dehorning

Dehorning Methods and Results

Caustic Paste Caustic Stick Portasol

Recommendations for Dehorning

Canadian code of practice for dairy cattle recommends local anesthetic for dehorning

Dehorn calves as young as possible

Use NSAID’s (Metacam) if dehorning older than 4 weeks

Disease Control for Replacement Heifers:

PARASITE CONTROL

MASTITIS CONTROL

LAMENESS

PINK-EYE

Take Home Message

Calf Diarrhea is common and can be managed for minimal long-term impact

It is critical to prevent calf respiratory disease to avoid profound long-term impacts

Vaccination programs can be very effective

Housing and management is important

Questions !!!