Page 15 - MWC 02-04-2021s

The Midwest Cattleman · February 4, 2021 · P15
Preventing Calf Disease Starts with the Pregnant Cow

By Dr. Michelle Arnold, UK Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory
Every year, the UKVDL re- latest research has proven there energy deficient dams will have problem is and what the solution
ceives calves that died suddenly is no safe time during gestation less of the brown fat needed for is, but you can’t do it, or if you
in the first week of life, usually to “short” a cow of her nutrient energy to stand and nurse. have been trying to correct the
with few or no symptoms. Often needs (including trace minerals) 2. Don’t wait to assist a cow or problem for 30 minutes but have
the owner will describe the situ- that will not impact the health of heifer having difficulty in labor. If not made progress. EARLY IN-
ation this way: “calves will nurse, her unborn calf. A nutritionally a cow or heifer is in active labor TERVENTION IS KEY to saving
be 2-3 days old and found dead” deprived cow will produce poor for 1-1.5 hours and making no a calf and the dam.
or “calf was 3-5 days old, lying quality and quantity of colos- progress, calving intervention is 3. Colostrum is key to calf
around more than normal and trum, have less energy to deliver indicated. Assist with calving as survival. Make sure calves start
nursing very little, found dead her calf quickly, and she can lose early as possible, especially with nursing after calving, keeping in
the next day”. At necropsy (an an- a substantial amount of weight heifers. Don’t hesitate to call for mind that calves should stand
imal “autopsy”), the pathologist during her lactation so she will help if you don’t know what the
will find no milk within the calf’s be slow to rebreed. Calves born to problem is, if you know what the continued on page 31
digestive tract. Further laborato-
ry testing will find bacteria can
be grown (cultured) from several
organs such as liver, kidney and
lung. These deaths are diagnosed
as “septicemia” which means the
calf died from an infection in the
blood (usually a Gram negative
bacteria such as E. coli along with
the “toxins” or poisons the bacte-
ria produce) that damages all the
March 28, 2021 • 1 p.m.arch 28, 2021 • 1 p.m.
major organs of a calf, resulting M
in death. Affected calves respond
poorly to antibiotic treatment and SELLING United Producers Livestock Market
those that survive often develop
one or more swollen joints. These Highway 71 North • Maryville, MO
calves are also at greater risk for
diseases such as diarrhea, pneu-
monia, and meningitis in the BullsBulls
coming months. Most grow poor- & &
ly and die prior to or at weaning.
The question is often asked “what
should I have treated this calf
Females
with to save it” but the real ques- Females
tion that needs to be addressed is
“why did this happen in the first Yearling &
place and how can I prevent it?”. 18 Month Old Bulls
Preventing septicemia and
other neonatal calf diseases like Spring Pairs
scours begins long before birth
of the calf. Excellent cow nutri-
tion during and after gestation, a Salers
quick calving process, and biose-
curity management factors to de- Composites
crease environmental contamina- Red Angus
tion all contribute to a successful
start. The following list of man-
agement practices are crucial to
calf health.
1. Don’t allow pregnant cows
to lose weight during gestation.
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The dams’ diet must provide W
adequate energy, protein and
trace minerals to meet her needs
during gestation and lactation,
www
especially during cold or wet win- www..SilverSpurSalersSilverSpurSalers.com.com
ter weather. Remember up to 80% V
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of fetal growth occurs in the last
50 days of gestation and cows are
also producing colostrum during
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the final 4-6 weeks of pregnancy. Silver Spur Salers
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vitality after birth. In fact, the