Biosecurity for neonatal gastrointestinal diseases

Abstract

Infectious diarrhea is an important cause of neonatal calf morbidity and mortality that results in significant economic losses in the beef and dairy industries. Although numerous risk factors related to the occurrence of neonatal diarrhea have been identified, they can all be categorized into those that are related to the calf, the pathogens involved, or the environment of the calf. The immune status of calves, specifically the level of passively acquired immunity through colostrum, is the major risk factor related to the calf and the occurrence of diarrhea. Although numerous pathogens have been implicated in the occurrence of neonatal diarrhea, only a relatively limited number are commonly involved. Most should be viewed as secondary opportunists rather than primary pathogens, because none are extraordinarily virulent, and with the exception of Salmonella spp., most are present within the gastrointestinal tract of many healthy, mature cattle. Important risk factors related to pathogens involved in neonatal calf diarrhea involve the size of the inoculum and the occurrence of multiple infections. Finally, when considering the environment and housing conditions in which beef and dairy calves may reside, it is clear that tremendous variations exist. Despite these variations, the risk factors associated with the environment of the calf are also those that are the most amenable to the implementation of general environmental control and monitoring strategies as well as specific biosecurity measures.

The Main Causes of Calf Mortality in Dairy Farms in Poland

“…The importance of an adequate colostrum supply and therefore the passive transfer of immunoglobulins for calf health is well known. In the first week of age, calves are commonly advised to be housed individually, because it may lead to a decreased pathogen load [8]. Moreover, grouping relatively late in the calves' life (median of six weeks with interquartile range 4-8 weeks) could have positively influenced morbidity, because the risk for diarrhea is the highest in the first three weeks of their life [9].…”

Passive immunity transfer and serum constituents of crossbred calves

“…Diarrhea and respiratory disease problems are the most important inϐirmities of neonatal calves, causing the greatest economic loss in this age group in both dairy and beef herds (Barrington et al 2002, Callan & Gary 2002. Neonatal calves need maternal immunological assistance in the ϐirst hours after birth, provided by colostrum intake, since they have a higher likelihood of succumbing to infections that are innocuous to adult animals, so neonates that suffer failure of passive transfer of maternal immunoglobulins may be at increased risk for disease (Barrington & Parish 2001).…”

Prácticas de bioseguridad adoptadas en grandes explotaciones de bovinos de carne de la zona Central de Chile

“…El control de moscas es fundamental para reducir la transmisión de enfermedades como la queratoconjuntivitis infecciosa bovina, enfermedades transmitidas a través de la sangre, fecas y reducir el estrés (Barrington et al 2002). De la totalidad de la muestra, en 6 predios (60%; 6/10) se realizó el control de las moscas, los métodos utilizados correspondieron a la aplicación de insecticidas tópicos y productos ambientales.…”