Page 11 - MWC 2-23-2023s

Managing Hypothermia in Newborn Calves The Midwest Cattleman · February 23, 2023 · P11

By Lindsay Waechter-Mead DVM is to place two fingers into the hold their head up need colos- easy option, they can also serve
Plans for calving season mouth of the calf. The inside of trum to begin the warming as breeding grounds for patho-
should include how to identify the mouth of a healthy calf will process. The best source will be gens. Thoroughly clean and
and manage cold stress in new- be warm and moist and will at- from the dam, but other sourc- disinfect the entire hut before
borns. In the 2007 National An- tempt to chew or suck on your es or replacers may be used as adding another calf. If using
imal Health Monitoring Sys- fingers. If the suckle reflex is well. Ensure records are kept a bath, ensure the calf is com-
tem report, 25.6% of operations absent, it’s time to get involved. on what and how much was pletely dry before placing back
reported weather as the main Consider two routes when provided to the calf. outside.
cause for death in calves less attempting to rewarm a calf: External warming can be Understanding the risk fac-
than 3 weeks old. Preventing external and internal. Colos- achieved through commercial tors for hypothermia will aid
hypothermia is vital to survival trum is the first line of defense warming huts, forced warm air in developing a strategy to pre-
in the newborn. for warming a calf internally. such as the floorboard of your vent loss. Managing dystocia
Interruptions to Comprised of up to 10% fat, co- truck, or warm water bath. and knowing when and how to
lostrum acts as a heat source by Never leave a calf unattended assist chilled calves is an essen-
Thermoregulation burning the fat into energy and while using a heat source as tial part of your calving plan.
Difficulty during birth, also maintaining body temperature. there is potential for overheat-
known as dystocia, can have Calves that can sit sternal and ing. While warming huts are an Drovers
detrimental effects on calf
health. The contractions from
the dam create periods of lim-
ited oxygen as the calf moves
through the birth canal. When
the delivery process is pro-
longed, calves will be born with
critically low levels of blood ox-
ygen. These low levels will be
corrected when breathing be-
gins. However, severe dystocia
calves have such low levels that
the respiratory system is sup-
pressed, leading to a cascade of
negative events.
The increase of blood car-
bon dioxide levels and the lack
of oxygen lead to a condition
called acidosis. The acidosis will
depress the central nervous
system and lead to weak calf
syndrome. In these situations,
calves are unable to stand and
likely have a decreased shiv-
ering response, causing hypo-
thermia. Hypothermic calves
lack a suckle reflex and fail to
ingest necessary colostrum,
which will delay the absorption
of antibodies and essential nu-
trients needed for survival.
Management Strategies to
Treat Hypothermia
There are several ways to
assist a hypothermic calf. This
first step is understanding
when to intervene. The normal
rectal temperature of a new-
born calf is 101.5-102.5 degrees
F. A simple thermometer will
help identify when the calf is
in danger. Once the tempera-
ture drops below 101 degrees
F, steps should be taken to pre-
vent hypothermia. Another tip