Erythrocyte changes, serum iron concentration and performance following iron injection in neonatal beef calves

The injection of iron-dextran into beef calves at an early age immediately increased values for erythrocyte (RBC) numbers, hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, packed cell volume (PCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular volume (MCV), even though the calves were not anemic. There were no significant differences in average daily gain (ADG) from birth through 15 wk between those that were injected and those that were not injected. Hereford calves had lower values for PCV, Hb, MCH and MCV than Angus and crossbred calves, and both Hereford and Angus calves had lesser body weight and slower ADG than crossbred calves. Serum iron (Fe) concentrations were higher in calves born in the spring and pastured in the summer than in calves born in late summer and fall and pastured in the fall. The serum Fe concentration of calves at first sampling (during first week of life) was positively correlated with their weight at that and subsequent times to 15 wk. Mean corpuscular volume and MCH in cows before calving were positively correlated with the MCV and MCH in their calves at first sampling. Serum Fe concentration in cows before calving was negatively correlated with the ADG of their calves through 15 wk.     

Incidence of diarrhea among calves after strict closure and eradication of bovine viral diarrhea virus infection in a dairy herd.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether strict closure of a dairy herd and eradication of bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) infection would decrease incidence of diarrhea in calves during the first 31 days after birth, whether specific risk factors were associated with incidence of diarrhea in calves, and whether diarrhea was associated with weight gain of the calves. DESIGN: 2-year cohort study. ANIMALS: 448 calves. PROCEDURE: Calves were monitored from birth to 31 days of age. Fecal samples were tested for rotavirus, blood samples were tested for BVDV and antibodies to BVDV, and serum samples were tested for IgG concentration. Risk factors were evaluated by means of survival analysis. RESULTS: Incidence of diarrhea in calves decreased significantly after strict closure of the herd and eradication of BVDV infection. Risk factors for diarrhea in calves interacted in a multifactorial way. Rotavirus infection and low serum IgG concentration increased the risk that calves would develop diarrhea. Calves that developed diarrhea gained significantly less weight than calves that did not develop diarrhea. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: To control diarrhea among calves in a dairy herd, emphasis should be on maintaining a strictly closed herd free from BVDV infection. However, other measures, such as measures to prevent rotavirus infection and to ensure that calves receive an appropriate amount of colostrum after birth, should also be taken.     

Effect of high arterial carbon dioxide tension on efficiency of immunoglobulin G absorption in calves.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether high PaCO2 reduced apparent efficiency of IgG absorption (AEA) in calves and whether assisted ventilation of calves with high PaCO2 increased AEA. ANIMALS: 48 Holstein calves. PROCEDURES: Arterial and venous blood samples were collected 1, 13, and 25 hours after birth; an additional venous sample was collected at 37 hours after birth. Arterial samples were analyzed for PaCO2, PaO2, pH, and bicarbonate and base excess concentrations; venous samples were analyzed for plasma IgG concentrations. On the basis of 1-hour PaCO2, calves were assigned to nonrespiratory acidosis (PaCO2 < 50 mm Hg; n = 19) or respiratory acidosis (PaCO2 > or = 50 mm Hg; 29) groups. Calves in the respiratory acidosis group were assigned randomly to receive no further treatment (n = 17) or to be given 5 minutes of assisted ventilation (12). All calves received between 1.8 and 2 L of colostrum 2, 14, 26, and 38 hours after birth. Plasma volume and AEA were determined 25 hours after birth. RESULTS: 1-hour PaCO2 had no effect on AEA or on plasma IgG concentrations determined 13, 25, or 37 hours after birth. Artificial ventilation had no effect on plasma IgG concentration or AEA. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Lack of effect of 1-hour PaCO2 on AEA and IgG concentration indicated that calves compensated for moderate acid-base imbalances associated with birth. Calves born with high PaCO2 achieved adequate plasma IgG concentrations if fed an adequate amount of high-quality colostrum early in life. The effect of artificial ventilation on PaCO2 was temporary and did not increase AEA.     

Immunoglobulin concentrations in serum and nasal secretions of calves at the onset of pneumonia

Immunoglobulin (Ig) concentrations in serum and in nasal secretions were correlated with pneumonia and diarrhea during the first 12 weeks of life in 56 calves. The peak onset of pneumonia occurred between 2 and 4 weeks of age when the calves' serum IgG1, IgG2, and IgA concentrations were lowest. As IgG2 concentrations increased, fewer calves developed pneumonia. Peak onset of pneumonia was also correlated with the lowest IgG and IgA concentrations in the calves' nasal secretions. Most calves developed pneumonia when serum concentrations of IgG1 were less than 1.5 g/dl, IgG2 less than 0.3 g/dl, IgA less than 0.1 g/dl, and IgM less than 0.2 g/dl and when the combined IgG and IgA values in nasal secretions were less than 0.2 mg of Ig/mg of protein. In study A, diarrhea preceded pneumonia in 63% of 56 calves. In study B, 38% of 23 calves had diarrhea and/or hemorrhagic feces before pneumonia. Seemingly, there was a relationship between diarrhea and pneumonia. Furthermore, pneumonia occurred at or just after the time when IgG1, IgG2, and IgA concentrations in serum and the combined IgG and IgA concentrations in nasal secretions were lowest. Pneumonia is a common disease of calves between 1 and 5 months of age, a period coinciding with the usual low point in serum immunoglobulin (Ig) concentrations due to catabolism of passively acquired antibodies. Calves that absorb less than adequate amounts of Ig may be susceptible to pneumonia at approximately 2 months of age, when serum Ig concentrations would be lowest.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Effect of pre‐partum supplementation of vitamin E to Murrah buffaloes on immune functions and viability of calves

This study was undertaken in buffalo neonates born to vitamin E (dl ‐ alpha ‐ tocopherol acetate) ‐ supplemented and non‐supplemented Murrah buffaloes. Calves from vitamin E‐supplemented buffaloes (n = 10; vitamin E ‐supplemented calves [VeC]) and non‐supplemented buffaloes (n = 10; control calves [CC]) constituted the treatment and control groups respectively. Two colostrum samples were taken at the first post‐partum milking and again after 12 h from dams for IgG estimation. Sampling of blood was performed on days 0 (before colostrum feeding), 1, 3, 7, 14, 21, 28, 42, 56, 70, 84, 98, 112 and 126 post‐birth and analysed for apparent efficiency of absorption (%) of IgG and various immune parameters. Colostral IgG level was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in vitamin E‐supplemented buffaloes. The calves in both groups were born hypogammaglobulinemic with IgG level <5 g/l. However, first colostrum feeding resulted in significantly elevated IgG levels (>10 g/l) in calves of both groups at 24 h, which remained high afterwards. Apparent efficiency of absorption (%) of IgG at 24 h was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in VeC than in CC. Plasma Nitric Oxide (NO) levels were significantly elevated in the calves of either group at birth, which declined significantly (p < 0.01) afterwards. Vitamin E feeding to dams had no added effect on NO levels in experimental calves. Total leucocyte counts did not differ significantly between the two groups. However, lymphocyte and neutrophil counts changed significantly between groups (p < 0.01) and days (p < 0.01), with lymphocytes increasing and neutrophils declining with age. This study revealed that the calves were immunologically immature at birth. Ante‐partum supplementation of vitamin E did not influence plasma NO or IgG but had a significant effect on colostral IgG (p < 0.05). It also improved the apparent efficiency of absorption (%) of IgG at 24 h in VeC as compared to CC.     

Hemocytological and hemobiochemical studies in black pied, clinically healthy breeding calves in Morocco

In the following study, normal blood values were performed on 58 Friesian calves (30 males and 28 females) under preexisting Moroccan management conditions. The following parameters were evaluated: pH-value, p.CO2, actual HCO3, BE, BB, RBC, WBC, PCV, Hb, MCV, MCHC, Glucose, lactate, urea, creatinine, total protein, total bilirubin, enzyme activities of AST and GGT and electrolyte-values (Na, K, Cl). The values of all parameters varied significantly with age with the exception of MCV, MCHC and K. The female calves presented higher values of act. HCO3, BE, BB, Hb, PCV and MCV than the male calves (p less than 0.01). The calves were born in mixed acidosis stage which was largely restored 24 hours later. At the weaning, the calves showed a slight metabolic acidosis with a partial respiratory compensation. The metabolic acidosis was accompanied with an increase of lactate level in blood plasma. During the first month of life, the development of an anaemia (PCV decreased) was observed. The mean values of glucose and total protein increased after colostrum intake, whereas the electrolyte values in blood plasma decreased. In general, the mean values of lactate, creatinine, urea, total bilirubin and the activities of AST and GGT decreased with age, while glucose and total protein remained nearly unchanged. The age and the sex should be taken in consideration judging the above mentioned parameters in a new born calf from birth to weaning (here: two months).     

An epidemiological study of natural in utero infection with bovine leukemia virus.

The purpose of this study was to examine rates of natural in utero infection with bovine leukemia virus for association with breed, sex, dam age, dam parity and time of maternal seroconversion. Analyses conducted for breed and sex, dam age and parity and time of maternal seroconversion were the FUNCAT procedure for categorical data, Wilcoxon Rank Sums test and Fisher's exact test, respectively. A total of 223 calves born between July 1979, and September 1980, to cows infected with bovine leukemia virus in the University of Florida Dairy Research Unit herd were tested for detectable bovine leukemia virus antibodies prior to the consumption of colostrum. Sera were tested for antibodies by agar-gel immunodiffusion and radioimmunoprecipitation using the glycoprotein-51 antigen. In a group of 125 calves in which in utero infection could be confirmed through serological follow-up (group A), eight calves (6.4%) had precolostral bovine leukemia virus antibodies. For all 223 calves (group B), 18 (8.1%) had detectable bovine leukemia virus antibodies. For calves in group A, no associations were detected between precolostral bovine leukemia virus antibodies and breed (p = 0.66), dam age (p = 0.86), dam parity (p = 0.83), or time of maternal seroconversion to bovine leukemia virus (p = 0.50). However, precolostral bovine leukemia virus antibodies were found in 17.4% of the males and 3.6% of the females in group A (p = 0.11) and in 12.4% of the males and 3.6% of the females in group B (p = 0.04).     

Frequency of detectable serum IgG concentrations in precolostral calves

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of detectable serum IgG concentrations in calves prior to ingestion of colostrum and to assess whether a detectable IgG concentration was related to dam parity, calf birth weight, calf sex, season of calving, or infectious agents that can be transmitted transplacentally. ANIMALS: 170 Holstein dairy calves. PROCEDURES: Serum samples were obtained from calves prior to ingestion of colostrum, and serologic testing for bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) and Neospora caninum was performed. Relative risk, attributable risk, population attributable risk, and population attributable fraction for calves with a detectable serum IgG concentration attributable to positive results for N caninum and BVDV serologic testing were calculated. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine whether dam parity, calf sex, season of calving, and calf weight were associated with precolostral IgG concentration. RESULTS: 90 (52.9%) calves had a detectable total serum IgG concentration (IgG >or= 16 mg/dL). Relative risk, attributable risk, population attributable risk, and population attributable fraction for calves with a detectable serum IgG concentration attributable to positive results for N caninum serologic testing were 1.66, 0.34, 0.014, and 0.03, respectively. Calf sex, calf birth weight, and season of calving were not significant predictors for detection of serum IgG in precolostral samples. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Prevalence of IgG concentrations in precolostral serum samples was higher than reported elsewhere. There was no apparent link between serum antibodies against common infectious agents that can be transmitted transplacentally and detection of measurable serum IgG concentrations.     

The effect of dystocia on physiological and behavioral characteristics related to vitality and passive transfer of immunoglobulins in newborn Holstein calves

The objective of this study was to examine the effect of calving difficulty or dystocia on the vitality of newborn calves and its association with blood pH, the apparent efficiency of immunoglobulin G (IgG) absorption (AEA), and weight gain. A total of 45 calving events (N = 48 calves) were monitored from the first sight of fetal membranes. All calves were assessed at the time of first attaining sternal recumbency (SR), at 2 and 24 h, and at 7 and 14 d of age. Measurements included time to SR, rectal temperature, respiration and heart rate, analysis of blood gases and other blood measures, suckling response, time to standing, passive transfer of IgG, and weight gain. Calves were separated from their dam 2 h after birth and fed a commercial colostrum replacer containing 180 g of IgG by esophageal tube feeder. Calves born following dystocia had lower venous blood pH and took longer to attain SR and attempt to stand than those born unassisted. Duration of calving interacted with the number of people required to extract the calf by pulling as a significant predictor of pH at SR. No association was found between pH at SR and AEA. However, reduced AEA was found in calves that were female and in calves that did not achieve SR within 15 min of birth. A longer calving duration, being born in July or August rather than June, and a shorter time spent standing in the first 2 d of life were significantly associated with reduced weight gain to 14 d. It was concluded that factors at calving impact the physiology, vitality, and subsequent weight gain of newborn calves.     

Evaluation of flunixin meglumine as an adjunct treatment for diarrhea in dairy calves

OBJECTIVE: To assess the use of flunixin meglumine as an adjunct treatment for diarrhea in calves. DESIGN: Clinical trial. ANIMALS: 115 calves with diarrhea that were 1 to 21 days old at enrollment. PROCEDURE: Calves that developed diarrhea were randomly assigned to receive no flunixin meglumine (controls), a single dose of flunixin meglumine (2.2 mg/kg [1.0 mg/lb]), or 2 doses of flunixin meglumine administered 24 hours apart. Serum IgG concentration and PCV were measured prior to enrollment in the trial. Calves were evaluated daily to determine rectal temperature, fecal consistency, demeanor, and skin elasticity score. The primary analytic outcome was days of sickness (morbid-days). RESULTS: Calves with fecal blood and treated with a single dose of flunixin meglumine had fewer morbid-days and antimicrobial treatments, compared with controls. Although not significant, calves given 2 doses of flunixin meglumine in 24 hours had fewer morbid-days than untreated control calves. Regardless of severity of diarrhea, calves without fecal blood did not benefit from the use of flunixin. For calves with fecal blood, failure of passive transfer (low serum IgG concentration) was an independent risk factor for increased morbid-days. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Treatment with a single dose of flunixin meglumine resulted in fewer antimicrobial treatments and morbid-days in calves with fecal blood. As observed in other studies, calves with failure of passive transfer were at high risk for poor outcomes. This emphasizes the importance of developing and implementing effective colostrum delivery programs on dairy farms.     

Age distribution of animals persistently infected with bovine virus diarrhea virus in twenty-two Danish dairy herds.

The objectives of this study were to compare the age distribution of animals persistently infected (PI) with bovine virus diarrhea virus (BVDV) in 12 herds with clinical BVD compared to ten herds without clinical BVD and to examine the incidence of PI calves born after the oldest PI animal. Blood samples from all animals were tested for bovine virus diarrhea virus and antibodies. In five herds, blood samples were obtained from calves born after the whole herd had been tested. All calves born by PI dams were also blood tested. In herds with clinical BVD the median age of PI animals was 248 days and in herds without clinical BVD the median age was 144 days. There was no significant difference between the age of PI animals in herds with clinical BVD compared to herds without clinical BVD (p = 0.48) suggesting similar epidemiology of the occurrences of PI animals in the two herd categories. Thereafter, all herds were used to study the incidence of PI animals. A total of 129 PI animals were found. In ten herds with 72 PI animals the age range of PI animals was more than six months. In these herds 26.3% of the PI animals were born within the first two months after birth of the oldest PI animal, no PI animals were born 2- less than 6 months, 52.7% were born 6- less than 14 months, 6.9% were born 14- less than 22 months and 13.9% (all born by PI dams) were born later than 22 months after the oldest PI animal.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Comparison of levels and duration of detection of antibodies to bovine viral diarrhea virus 1, bovine viral diarrhea virus 2, bovine respiratory syncytial virus,bovine herpesvirus 1, and bovine parainfluenza virus 3 in calves fed maternal colostrum or a colostrum-replacement product

Colostrum-replacement products are an alternative to provide passive immunity to neonatal calves; however, their ability to provide adequate levels of antibodies recognizing respiratory viruses has not been described. The objective of this study was to compare the serum levels of IgG at 2 d of age and the duration of detection of antibodies to bovine viral diarrhea virus 1 (BVDV-1), bovine viral diarrhea virus 2 (BVDV-2), bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV), bovine herpesvirus 1 (BHV-1), and bovine parainfluenza virus 3 (BPIV-3) in calves fed maternal colostrum (MC) or a colostrum replacement (CR) at birth. Forty newborn male Holstein calves were assigned to the CR or the MC group. Group CR (n = 20) received 2 packets of colostrum replacement (100 g of IgG per 470-g packet), while group MC (n = 20) received 3.8 L of maternal colostrum. Blood samples for detection of IgG and virus antibodies were collected from each calf at birth, at 2 and 7 d, and monthly until the calves became seronegative. Calves in the MC group had greater IgG concentrations at 2 d of age. The apparent efficiency of absorption of IgG was greater in the MC group than in the CR group, although the difference was not significant. Calves in the CR group had greater concentrations of BVDV neutralizing antibodies during the first 4 mo of life. The levels of antibodies to BRSV, BHV-1, and BPIV-3 were similar in the 2 groups. The mean time to seronegativity was similar for each virus in the 2 groups; however, greater variation was observed in the antibody levels and in the duration of detection of immunity in the MC group than in the CR group. Thus, the CR product provided calves with more uniform levels and duration of antibodies to common bovine respiratory viruses.     

初乳饲喂次数对娟姗犊牛生产性能的影响

为研究探讨初乳饲喂次数对娟姗犊牛生产性能的影响,试验选取初生重接近的健康娟姗犊牛20 头,随机分为4 组,分别为对照组、试验I组、II组和III组,每组5 头犊牛,试验期为60 天。4 组犊牛出生当日饲喂两次初乳,首次初乳量按照体重的10.0%进行灌服,第2次初乳于出生后6~8 h按照体重的5.0%进行饲喂。4 组犊牛出生当日在产房饲养,2日龄时均转为室外犊牛岛单栏饲养。2日龄后,对照组每天上午06:00和下午16:00时各饲喂常乳1次,2~6日龄每次饲喂1.50 L,7~20日龄每次饲喂1.80 L,21~35日龄每次饲喂2.50 L,36~60日龄每次饲喂3.00 L,自7日龄开始犊牛自由采食颗粒料。试验Ⅰ组、Ⅱ组、Ⅲ组分别继续饲喂初乳至犊牛2日龄、4日龄、6日龄后再饲喂常乳,饲喂时间和饲喂量与对照组一致。结果表明:(1)在饲喂初乳后48 h、72 h、96 h,试验组与对照组犊牛血清免疫球蛋白g(IgG)均差异显著(p<0.05),120 h、144 h、168 h,试验Ⅰ组与对照组比较,犊牛血清IgG含量差异不显著(p>0.05),试验Ⅱ组、Ⅲ组血清IgG含量与对照组相比,差异极显著(p<0.01)。(2)随着初乳饲喂次数的增加,可有效降低犊牛20日龄内腹泻发生率,试验Ⅰ组、Ⅱ组、Ⅲ组较对照组比较犊牛腹泻发生率分别降低9.5%、22.5%、36.5%,治疗犊牛腹泻总成本较对照组分别下降12.0 元、43.2 元、76.8 元,3 组试验组犊牛成活率为100.0%。(3)初乳饲喂次数的增加,使0~60日龄娟姗犊牛平均日增重(ADG)升高,试验组与对照组相比较,日增重均差异极显著(p<0.01),分别增加16.7 g、33.3 g、80.0 g。试验Ⅱ组、Ⅲ组较试验Ⅰ组ADG差异也极显著(p<0.01)。综合考虑,建议娟姗犊牛饲喂初乳至6日龄,可降低犊牛腹泻发生率、减少治疗费用,提高犊牛成活率及ADG。     

Variations in the immune response to natural Schistosoma mattheei infections in calves born to infected mothers

During previous work Schistosoma antibodies and circulating antigens were detected at birth in the serum from some calves born to Schistosoma mattheei infected mothers. The objectives of the present survey were: (1) to investigate the proportion of calves, born to cows infected with S. mattheei, which have specific antibodies and circulating schistosome antigens present in their serum at birth and (2) to investigate whether the presence or absence of these specific antibodies and/or circulating antigens at birth may affect the pattern of a natural S. mattheei infection in calves from 4 to 5 months of age, when the colostral antibodies are thought to be of negligible importance. A total of 28 calves born to infected mothers were randomly selected. Faeces, serum and colostrum samples were collected from the cows at calving, serum samples were collected from the calves at birth (day 0), after intake of colostrum (day 1) and monthly thereafter up to the age of 10 months. Both serum and colostrum samples were analysed for IgG(H+L) against SWAP mattheei and schistosome circulating anodic antigen (CAA) levels. The calves were exposed to a natural challenge from the age of 4-5 months. Faecal samples were collected from the calves monthly, starting at an age of 5 months up to 10 months, and were examined for faecal egg counts. Nine (group 1) out of the 28 calves were found to have specific antibodies in their serum at birth, in 5 of them CAA levels were also detected. In the other 19 calves (group 2) no IgG(H+L) or CAA were detected. At the end of the study faecal egg counts and CAA levels were significantly lower in calves from group 1 compared to group 2. Results confirm earlier work that specific antibodies and circulating antigens may be present in serum from calves at birth, and show that these calves have lower faecal egg counts and CAA levels after exposure to a natural challenge.     

Diagnosis of copper deficiency and effects of supplementation in beef cows.

The effects of feeding supplementary dietary copper to a herd of 400 beef cows, were studied over a two year period. In the first year of the trial, the calves showed clinical signs of copper deficiency. There was improved growth following subcutaneous injection of copper ethylenediamine tetraacetate, and the treated calves had a 2.8% increase in adjusted weaning weights. In the second year of the trial pregnant cows were fed a basal ration of bromegrass silage, barley and minerals over the winter feeding period. The feed was supplemented with copper so that half received 5.5 mg/kg of copper on a dry matter basis and half 40 mg/kg. Calving occurred in the spring and half the calves were treated with injectable copper at birth and again at 12 weeks of age. There was no evidence of copper deficiency in the calves and there was no effect of high level copper supplementation on calf birth weight, or neutrophil candidacidal activity. Susceptibility to diarrhea varied in a complex fashion; morbidity was lowest in calves born to dams fed supplementary copper and highest in calves born to supplemented dams and injected with copper at birth. The cows and calves grazed the same copper deficient pasture over the summer. The average daily gain for calves born to supplemented cows was 0.999 +/- 0.010 kg/day (x +/- SEM) which was significantly greater than the 0.972 +/- 0.009 kg/day for calves from nonsupplemented dams (p = 0.044). The benefit of copper supplementation on 200 day weaning weight was estimated at 4.8 kg. Evidence of copper deficiency was seen when a herd test showed mean serum levels below 9 mumol/L and liver values below 0.09 mmol/kg wet matter.     

Acute undifferentiated neonatal diarrhea in beef calves. I. Occurence and distribution of infectious agents.

Beef calves in a 48-cow herd were studied during one calving season from birth to ten days of age to determine the presence or absence of potentially enteropathogenic bacteria, viruses, and/or chlamydia in both normal and diarrheic calves. Calves were born and raised outside in large pens unless the ambient temperature was below minus 10 degrees F when calving was done inside. Fecal swabs, fecal aliquots, and nasal swabs were taken from each calf at 32, 128 plus or minus 3, and 248 plus or minus 3 hours of age and as soon after the onset of diarrhea as possible. Diarrhea was defined as that condition in which the feces contained less than 10% dry matter. Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli in feces were identified using the ligated gut loop procedure in calves and by feeding broth cultures to colostrum fed lambs seven to 16 hours old. Potentially enteropathogenic viruses were detected using a variety of methods which included tissue culture, fluorescent antibody, hemadsorption, and electron microscope techniques. Of the 40 calves studied, 32 (80%) developed diarrhea before ten days of age. Twenty-two strains of Escherichia coli which caused dilation of calf ligated intestinal loops were isolated from 11 scouring calves and from one normal calf. Nine out of ten strains of Escherichia coli which dilated ligated loops also caused diarrhea when fed to colostrum-fed lambs seven to 16 hours old. Using antibody technique a Reo-like virus was detected in the feces of 15 calves before, during, and after the onset of diarrhea. Four calves excreted both loop dilating strains of E. coli and Reo-like virus in the feces before ten days of age; in all cases the loop dilating E. coli were isolated from the feces prior to the demonstration of Reo-like virus. A Corona-like virus was also demonstrated in three of the 15 calves infected with Reo-like virus and a noncytopathogenic strain of bovine virus diarrhea virus was isolated from two of the 15 calves infected with Reo-like virus. A loop dilating strain of Citrobacter was isolated from one diarrheic calf. There was no consistent pattern of onset or duration of diarrhea in calves which excreted different infectious agents. Salmonella species, infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus, parvovirus, adenoviruses, parainfluenza-3 virus, and Chlamydia species could not be demonstrated in any of the calves or their dams. No potentially enteropathogenic agents could be demonstrated in 11 of the 32 calves which scoured. These findings emphasize the complexity of the infectious aspect of the neonatal diarrhea syndrome and illustrate the difficulty in making an etiological diagnosis in field outbreaks of the calf scours complex.     

Total protein and immunoglobulins G1, G2, and M in serum of calves persistently infected with bovine viral diarrhea virus

Total serum protein and immunoglobulins (Ig) G1, G2, and M concentrations were investigated in 11 calves persistently infected with bovine viral diarrhea virus. These calves were allowed to suckle from their dams until weaned. A gradual increase in total protein was observed from birth to 12 months of age. There was a wide variation in Ig concentrations in pre- and postcolostrum sera. The IgG1 increased from the time of delivery of the calves to the 5th month, decreased by the 10th month, and then stabilized through the 12th month. The IgG2 increased from birth to 10 months and remained stable through 12 months. The IgM increased from birth to the 11th month, and then decreased sharply by the 12th month.     

Morbidity in Swedish dairy calves from birth to 90 days of age and individual calf-level risk factors for infectious diseases

The health of 3081 heifer calves born in 122 dairy herds in the south-west of Sweden from 1 January to 31 December, 1998, was monitored from birth until 90 days of age. The calves were kept either in individual pens (n=2167), in group pens, with 3–8 calves to a pen and manual feeding of milk (n=440), in group pens with 6–30 calves per pen and an automatic milk-feeding system (n=431), or with their dams (n=43). Disease incidence was recorded by farmers and project veterinarians, who clinically examined the calves and auscultated their lungs every 2–3 months. A disease was graded as ‘severe’ if the general loss of condition or of appetite in the calf continued for >2 days or if the animal suffered severe weight loss due to the disease. The effects of season, breed, housing, and type of colostrum feeding, and time, place and supervision of calving on the incidences of diarrhea, severe diarrhea, respiratory disease, other infectious disease and moderately to severely increased respiratory sounds, were analyzed by logistic-regression models (with herd as a random effect). The total morbidity rate was 0.081 cases per calf-month at risk. Incidence rates of arthritis, diarrhea, omphalophlebitis, respiratory disease and ringworm were 0.002, 0.035, 0.005, 0.025 and 0.009 cases per calf-months at risk, respectively. The odds ratios for diarrhea and severe diarrhea were increased in Swedish Red and Whites (OR: 1.6, 2.3) and in calves that received colostrum from first-lactation cows (OR: 1.3–1.8), and for severe diarrhea in calves born in summer or that received colostrum through suckling (OR: 1.7, 1.8). The odds ratios for respiratory disease and increased respiratory sounds were increased in calves housed in large-group pens with an automatic milk-feeding system (OR: 2.2, 2.8). Supervision of calving was associated with a decreased odds ratio for respiratory disease (OR: 0.7) and birth in individual maternity pen or tie stalls with a decreased odds ratio for increased respiratory sounds (OR: 0.5–0.6). Cross-breeds with beef breeds were associated with increased odds ratios for increased respiratory sounds (OR: 2.1–4.3) and colostrum from second-lactation cows and birth during night for other infectious disease (OR: 1.6, 1.5).     

Effect of vaccination with the R mutant Escherichia coli (J5) antigen on morbidity and mortality of dairy calves

A prospective cohort study was undertaken to determine the efficacy of Escherichia coli 0111:B4 (J5) vaccination in dairy calves. Calves on 2 units were vaccinated when they were 2 to 3 days old and 2 weeks later with the J5 antigen or they were left unvaccinated, and were observed during the first 60 days of age for morbidity and mortality. Events recorded were death, the first case of illness, the first sign of a respiratory tract condition, the first sign of diarrhea, and the first treatment. The time to death or to a morbid event was examined as a function of vaccination status, using the Cox model of survival analysis, where serum IgG concentration at 2 to 3 days of age and gender of the calf were included to control confounding. Signs of morbidity in 517 calves were followed, 189 from unit 1 and 328 from unit 2. Vaccination was associated with a 2.15-fold reduction in risk of death on unit 2 (P = 0.042), but with a 2.43-fold increase in risk of death on unit 1 (P = 0.0035). The only association found between vaccination and morbidity was a 1.34-fold reduction in risk of respiratory tract signs for vaccinated calves on unit 2 (P = 0.055). Necropsy results and clinical investigations indicated that calves on unit 1 were poorly nourished and emaciated. Antibodies to J5 2 weeks after vaccination were significantly (P = 0.0002) lower in calves on unit 1 than in calves on unit 2. The findings offered a possible explanation for the adverse vaccination effect in calves on unit 1.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The development of iron and copper concentrations in blood plasma of calves in the first days and weeks of life, equally a contribution to the larvaceous neonatal iron deficiency anemia

Newly born calves (n = 93) were examined to determine the iron and copper values in the blood plasma. The investigation was divided into two sections: 1. Chronic measuring of the parameters of live-born calves until the sixth week (n = 48). 2. Short-time examination of newly born calves with different vitality figures/levels of vitality until the second day of life (n = 45). Iron and copper were determined by means of an inductively-coupled-plasma emissions-spectral analysis (ICP). In the case of a normal birth and vitality criteria calves are born with a plasma concentration of 27.7 +/- 9.6 mumol/l iron and 4.8 +/- 1.7 mumol/l copper. During the first few hours of life the iron concentration drops considerably and significantly (p less than or equal to 0.01) and rises again before the second week. There is a short period of considerable depression in the iron concentration. The copper values, in contrast, increase linearly and significantly (p less than or equal to 0.001) form the birth onwards until the end of the first week, then remaining on a high level. In the dynamic of the iron plasma curve the influence of race/breed is also evident. Calves of the race DFV have a significantly higher iron level than the DSB and DRB race (p less than or equal to 0.01) at the end of the sixth week of life. About a fifth (18.8) of the test animals in the first part of the investigation already had a hidden sideropenia (16.1 +/- 1.9 mumol/l) when they were born. Their iron concentration developed only slowly.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)