Health and management of the growing calf and heifer

• What is the normal respiration rate for calves?

  24-36 bpm
• What is the normal heart rate for calves?

  80-120 bpm
• What is the normal temperature range for calves?

  38.5-39.5 °C
• What congenital problems should be considered in calves?

  • Cleft palate
  • Umbilical hernia or infection

  
• What is the stillborn mortality rate for calves up to 24 hours old?

  Less than 7%
• What was the dairy calf mortality rate before 24 hours in 2009?

  7.9%
• What is the neonatal mortality rate for calves aged 1-28 days?

  Less than 3.5%
• What is the mortality rate for calves aged 1-6 months?

  Less than 3.5%
• What was the cumulative mortality rate to 3 months in 2018?

  5-6%
• What is the mortality rate for calves from 6 months to breeding?

  Less than 4%
• What are common diseases of neonatal calves?

  • Respiratory diseases (BRD, BVD)
  • GI diseases (E.coli, Rotavirus, etc.)
  • Neonatal septicaemia
  • Musculoskeletal issues (fractures, etc.)
  • Nutritional problems (bloat, ulcers)
• What are the differentials for calf diarrhoea?

  • E.coli
  • Rotavirus
  • Coronavirus
  • Cryptosporidium
  • Coccidiosis
  • Salmonella
• What is the prevalence of contagious causes of diarrhoea in calves in the UK?

  25-75%
• Which virus is most commonly diagnosed in calf diarrhoea?

  Rotavirus
• What are clinical signs of infectious diarrhoea in calves?

  • Loose watery faeces
  • Straining to defaecate
  • Faeces with blood or mucus
  • Dehydration signs (sunken eyes, etc.)
  • Dullness and inappetence
  • Weakness and recumbency
  • Neurological signs
  • Pyrexia
• What is Cryptosporidium parvum and its impact on calves?

  • Protozoa affecting calves 1-3 weeks old
  • Causes high mortality when mixed with rotavirus
  • Profuse watery diarrhoea
  • Diagnosed via rainbow scour test
  • Treated with Halocur
• What is the pathophysiology of diarrhoea in calves?

  1. Increased bicarbonate loss
  2. Increased lactic acid production
  3. Decreased H+ excretion
  4. Leads to metabolic acidosis
• What are the signs of D-lactate acidosis in calves?

  • Decreased palpebral reflex
  • Broad stance/ataxic
  • Absent suckle reflex
• What are the treatment options for calf diarrhoea?

  • Fluid therapy (oral and IV)
  • Sodium bicarbonate in IV solution
  • NSAIDs to improve appetite
  • Antibiotics for systemic illness
• How is dehydration assessed in calves?

  • 2-5%: standing, suckle reflex
  • 6-8%: mild depression, sunken eyes
  • 10-12%: recumbent, unresponsive
  • 14%: death
• What are the prevention strategies for calf diarrhoea?

  • Improve calf immunity (colostrum quality)
  • Maintain housing hygiene
• What are the risk factors for neonatal septicaemia in calves?

  • Failure of passive transfer (FTP)
  • Unhygienic environment
  • Overcrowding and poor ventilation
  • Dystocia
• What are the clinical signs of neonatal septicaemia?

  • Lethargy and poor suckle reflex
  • Weakness and recumbency
  • Tachycardia and tachypnoea
  • Dehydration
• What are the common pathogens associated with neonatal septicaemia?

  • Escherichia coli
  • Pasteurella spp
  • Klebsiella spp
  • Salmonella spp
• What are the clinical signs of bovine respiratory disease (BRD)?

  • Pyrexia and nasal discharge
  • Cough and ocular discharge
  • Lethargy and inappetence
  • Rapid shallow breathing
• What are the risk factors for bovine respiratory disease (BRD)?

  • Failure of passive transfer
  • Stress and poor nutrition
  • Environmental factors (ventilation, density)
• What is the prevalence of respiratory disease in pre-weaned dairy heifers?

  Nearly 50%
• What percentage of UK herds have respiratory disease?

  70%
• What percentage of UK herds have losses attributed to respiratory disease?

  50%
• What factors contribute to the BRD disease complex?

  • Pathogen factors
  • Host factors
  • Environmental risk factors
• What are the clinical signs of BRD?

  • Pyrexia
  • Nasal discharge
  • Cough
  • Lethargy
  • Increased respiratory rate
• Why can't the pathogen be determined from clinical signs alone in BRD?

  Clinical signs are non-specific for pathogens
• What is the importance of diagnostic tests in calf diseases?

  • Control and prevention
  • Treatment unlikely to change
• What is the role of fluid therapy in treating dehydration in calves?

  • Replaces losses
  • Maintains circulating volume
  • Prevents organ failure
• What are the signs of dehydration in calves?

  • Diarrhoea
  • Weakness
  • Sunken eyes
  • Cold extremities
• What is the significance of colostrum management in calf health?

  • Ensures adequate immunity
  • Reduces disease risk
• What is the impact of dystocia on calf health?

  • Increased risk of neonatal diseases
  • Higher mortality rates
• What are the clinical signs of acidosis in calves?

  • Weakness
  • Poor suckle reflex
  • Absent palpebral reflex
• What is the role of NSAIDs in calf treatment?

  • Improves appetite
  • Reduces inflammation
• What are the signs of septic shock in calves?

  • Lethargy
  • Weakness
  • Increased heart rate