health and disease in calves and heifers
DESCRIPTION
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 - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
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 !!!