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PREVENTING CALF remain on the current pasture. The Midwest Cattleman · February 4, 2021 · P31
continued from page 15 If calving in a barn or shed, the
calving pen should be kept clean on a cow that lost her calf is an new arrivals. The best practice is
within 30 minutes of delivery and and dry with frequent changes of excellent way to start a scours to purchase animals from herds
outbreak among newborn calves. of known health status that will
nurse within 30 minutes of stand- bedding to remove the build-up of Newly purchased animals should provide a vaccination history.
ing. If in doubt that the calf will organisms. Make every effort to not be mixed into a group of calv- Even show animals returning to
be able to stand and nurse within get the cow and newborn calf out ing cows. Any newly purchased the farm from events should be
an hour, the producer must take of the barn quickly to lessen the animals should be isolated either isolated for 2-3 weeks to prevent
over to ensure the calf is warm chances of infection. off the farm or in a well-segregat- introduction of disease when they
and then use a good quality co- 5. Don’t bring in a new dis- ed area for at least 2 weeks (3-4 re-enter the herd. Introduction
lostrum replacer (not a colostrum ease. Purchasing animals, cows weeks is better) and observed of an animal with a disease such
supplement) or milk the dam and or calves, and bringing them for any signs of illness. During as Johne’s or a BVD persistently
feed the calf at least 2 quarts home to the farm is likely the the period of isolation, a veter- infected (PI) animal could have
during the first 6 hours of life. single most dangerous time for inarian should be consulted to devastating, long-term effects on
Most septicemic calves had inad- introduction of new diseases into appropriately test and vaccinate
equate colostrum intake, either a herd. Purchasing a calf to put continued on page 32
because the dam did not produce
enough good quality colostrum,
or the calf was unable to suckle
enough to provide good protective
immunity. In either case, this sit-
uation is called “failure of passive
transfer of antibodies” or “FPT”.
The calf may be born weak and
does not get up quickly or nurse
aggressively, however, FPT may
also be due to bad teat conforma-
tion (shape) and the calf simply
could not latch on or reach them.
Other factors that impair calf im-
munity include lack of calories
(dam provides little or no milk),
selenium and copper deficiencies
present at birth, and lack of pro-
tection from harsh weather.
4. Don’t calve out cows in a
mudhole. Poor sanitation, cold,
wet weather and overcrowding in
calving areas also contribute to a
higher risk of disease. Septicemia
in calves is most often the result
of a bacterial infection acquired
around the time of birth. The
bacteria may enter the newborn
through several routes includ-
ing the navel (umbilical stump),
through the mouth or nose, or
through an open wound. Calves
born in dirty, muddy, manure-cov-
ered areas such as around hay
rings or in a run-in shed have a
wet, exposed navel cord lying in
contact with massive numbers of
bacteria as soon as they hit the
ground. Once the calf gets up,
mud or manure-covered teats
provide the next opportunity for
bacteria to enter the neonatal
calf. Even with adequate colos-
trum, the immune system can
be overwhelmed by the sheer
numbers of bacteria, viruses and
parasites in the environment.
Newborns produce little gastric
acid during the first week of life
which makes them especially vul-
nerable to infections that enter
through the digestive system. If
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