Calf Mortality in Cow Herds

Floron C. Faries, Jr., DVM, MS Professor and Extension Program Leader Texas AgriLife Extension Service Texas A&M System College Station, TX 77843 http://extensionvetmed.tamu.edu

Calf Scours

Causative Disease Agents Bacteria E. coli C. perfringens B, C C. perfringens D Salmonella Viruses Rotavirus Coronavirus BVD Calf Ages <5 da 5-30 da >30 da >15 da 5-15 da 5-15 da >30 da

Protozoa Cryptosporidia Coccidia 5-30 da >15 da

Calf Ages <5 da 5-15 da Disease Agents E. coli Rotavirus Coronavirus C. perfringens B, C Cryptosporidia

15-30 da >30 da C. perfringens B, C Cryptosporidia Coccidia Salmonella 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

Calf Septicemia

Causative Disease Agents

 E. coli  Lepto

Calf Pneumonia

Causative Disease Agents

Bacteria Pasteurella H. somnus Viruses IBR PI 3 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/PI 3 /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