Page 38 - MWC 3-10-2022s

The Midwest Cattleman · March 10, 2022 · P38
Watch for navel and joint ill in newborn calves

K-State beef cattle expert describes signs of illness

The smell of rubbing alco- an abscess on the outside of treat the calf with antibiot- because the calves are being
hol in a physician’s office is the body at the navel, but ics,” Lubbers said. exposed to the same bacteria
a sign of a hygienic environ- also it can be internal if the He said management prac- in a dirty environment,” Lub-
ment. Just as medical per- bacteria traveled up the vein tices should be evaluated in bers said. “If cows calve in
sonnel work to maintain a from the navel to the liver,” herds where many calves are the same stall, make sure the
sanitary exam room for their Lubbers said. “With joint experiencing these illnesses. bedding is changed out with
patients, those cleanliness ill, the calves have swollen “If producers are seeing a each birth.”
principles also apply on the joints that are warm to the lot of calves with navel and
farm, said Kansas State Uni- touch and (the calf) can ap- joint ill, it is often happening
versity Beef Cattle Institute pear lame because it is pain-
veterinarian Brian Lubbers ful for them to walk.”
on a recent podcast. Lubbers said navel ill typ-
“When calves are born in ically appears within the
an environment that is dirty, first 1-2 days of life, and the
it can lead to the develop- timing of joint ill symptoms
ment of navel ill and joint appear within the first 1-2
ill, which are bacterial infec- weeks. Once the navel closes
tions,” Lubbers said. and the umbilical cord drops
He added that navel ill away from the body, the calf
happens when the bacteria is no longer at risk of bac-
enter the calf’s body through teria entering through that
the navel, which was recent- opening.
ly detached from the dam’s “If a producer suspects
placenta; joint ill occurs in navel ill or joint ill happen-
the bloodstream and can af- ing in the calves, they should
flict the calf in one or many consult a veterinarian to see
joints in its body. if the best treatment option
“Signs of navel ill include is to drain the abscess or Calving in a clean environment will reduce the risk of navel ill and joint ill occurring in
newborn calves.