Page 23 - MWC 9-10-20s

Understanding The Midwest Cattleman · September 10, 2020 · P23

Calf Immunity

Working to eliminate health of active immunity. By inject-
issues in young calves is a crit- ing the animal with a killed
ical first step in saving the beef or weakened pathogen, which
industry millions of dollars an- won’t be harmful enough to de-
nually through economic loss- velop the disease, the immune
es attributed to wasted feed system creates the “memory”
resources, purchased pharma- and learns how to fight it if an
ceuticals, reduced performance, infection occurs. Passive im-
and increased mortality. munity occurs when the ani-
Fast, timely reaction of the mal receives antibodies from
immune system from birth on an external source, such as an-
helps ensure calves perform other animal. The classical ex-
at optimal levels. Understand- ample of passive immunity is
ing the role immunity plays in the transfer of antibodies from
setting the stage for the calf’s the cow to the calf via colos-
future is vital in preparing the trum. This transfer is extreme- but also trigger inflammatory support productive functions,
calf for a lifetime of success. ly important to newborn calves responses. Maintaining cattle such as growth, reproduction,
Active and passive immunity, because their immune system in good health is not only im- lactation, are shifted to support
combined with a planned man- is not mature enough to devel- portant for animal well-being, the immune response. These
agement and nutrition strate- op its own antibodies. The calf but also has implications on nutrients are required for pro-
gy, form a firm foundation for should be immune to most of animal productivity. The im- duction of white blood cells,
calf productivity and can put the pathogens present in the mune system, as well as any support the inflammation pro-
ranchers on a path toward eco- environment because the dam other body functions, requires cess, multiplication of T and B
nomic efficiency. has already been exposed to a significant amount of nutri- cells, antibody synthesis, and
This excerpt from an article them and developed protective ents to work properly. When many other immune processes.
produced by Oregon State Uni- antibodies. Another example the animal is infected by a Therefore, maintaining cattle
versity gives an overview of the of passive immunity is the ad- pathogen, a significant amount in good health will improve nu-
cattle immune system: ministration of specific antise- of the consumed energy and trient utilization and produc-
Active and Passive Im- rum or antitoxin to sick cattle protein that were supposed to continued on page 24
munity – Immunity is the re- or calves that did not receive
sistance of the animal to a spe- enough colostrum.
cific disease. Active immunity Managing Cattle Health
is acquired when the animal is In commercial beef oper-
infected by a specific pathogen, ations, cattle are frequently
creates a “memory” against it, exposed to health challenges.
and successfully eliminates These can be bacteria, virus-
the disease and pathogen. The es, parasites, and toxins com-
next time the animal is infect- ing from the feed, air, water,
ed by the pathogen, the adap- wildlife, other cattle, and even
tive immune response will be humans. Stress is also an im-
faster and stronger (Figure 2), portant factor regarding cattle
quickly eliminating the patho- health. Extreme temperatures,
gen and preventing the disease. handling, transportation,
A common example is chicken weaning, and comingling are
pox in humans; once you have stressors that can suppress
it, you’ll never have it again. the immune system of cattle,
Vaccination is also an example

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