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Tackling Pneumonia in Calves
Posted on Sun 21 Jun 2009 by vacaresources (175 reads)
Tackling Pneumonia in Calves Respiratory problems caused nearly a quarter of deaths in calves before weaning and almost half of the deaths in weaned calves according to a 2007 USDA report on dairy cattle health. Early identification and treatment of pneumonia are important because these infections have lifelong impacts on growth and productivity. University of Minnesota Extension Educator Neil Broadwater provides the following suggestions for a plan of action against respiratory disease: 1. Know the clinical signs - Nasal discharge; body temperature >105.8 �F; decreased appetite; watery or bloody diarrhea; cough, labored breathing; head tilt; umbilical or joint swelling; weakness; and inability or reluctance to rise. 2. House calves separately - Calves should not contact adult cattle or commingle with sick animals, particularly during the first 3 to 4 months of life. Group weaned calves by age and size with 3 to 5 animals per group. If an outbreak of pneumonia develops, place newborns in a separate facility. 3. Calf comfort - Calves should not be housed in facilities that fluctuate in temperature, are under-bedded, warm, damp, humid or poorly ventilated. Use switches, thermostats and timers to control the environment. Optimal relative humidity is 65-75 percent for calf housing. 4. When do calves get pneumonia? - In general, problems that occur within 5 days of birth usually have their source from the dam or calving environment. After 7 days of age, problems more likely stem from the calf's environment. 5. Early identification of sick calves - Early morning rectal temperature that exceeds 103 �F two successive mornings or accompanied by slow, reduced or no milk intake at feeding can indicate an on-coming problem. As an aid in early detection consider using a scoring chart, such as the one developed by Dr. Sheila McGuirk at the University of Wisconsin. In conclusion, gathering information on management practices and implementing a plan can help you stay on course to prevent pneumonia (and other diseases) and attain goals for growth and frame size in the heifer enterprise.

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