Early Detection of Respiratory Diseases in Calves by Use of an Ear-Attached Accelerometer

Abstract

Accelerometers (ACL) can identify behavioral and activity changes in calves. In the present study, we examined the association between bovine respiratory disease (BRD) and behavioral changes detected by an ear-tag based ACL system in weaned dairy calves. Accelerometer data were analyzed from 7 d before to 1 d after clinical diagnosis of BRD. All calves in the study (n = 508) were checked daily by an adapted University of Wisconsin Calf Scoring System. Calves with a score ≥ 4 and fever for at least two consecutive days were categorized as diseased (DIS). The day of clinical diagnosis of BRD was defined as d 0. The data analysis showed a significant difference in high active times between DIS and healthy control calves (CON), with CON showing more high active times on every day, except d −3. Diseased calves showed significantly more inactive times on d −4, −2, and 0, as well as longer lying times on d −5, −2, and +1. These results indicate the potential of the ACL to detect BRD prior to a clinical diagnosis in group-housed calves. Furthermore, in this study, we described the ‘normal’ behavior in 428 clinically healthy weaned dairy calves obtained by the ACL system.

Use of a commercial indoor positioning system for monitoring resting time and moving distance in group‐housed dairy calves

“…Decreased lying and active time in calves with diarrhea are evident 1 day before the visual diagnosis of the disease (Goharshahi et al, 2021). Differences in activity are observed up to 3 days prior to the peak day of respiratory disease in calves (Duthie et al, 2021; Ramezani Gardaloud et al, 2022). The results of the above studies were obtained using real‐time monitoring by an accelerometer‐based system.…”

“…For calf 3, fever recurred throughout the experimental period due to respiratory disease despite frequent medical treatment. Ramezani Gardaloud et al, 2022). The results of the above studies were obtained using real-time monitoring by an accelerometer-based system.…”

“…Goharshahi et al (2021) documented substantial differences in lying and activity time between diarrheic and healthy calves 1 day before the visual diagnosis of diarrhea. Ramezani Gardaloud et al (2022) and Duthie et al (2021) reported that differences in activity and feeding behavior between healthy and diseased calves suffering from respiratory disease were observed on the peak day of the most extreme illness event but were also observed up to 3 days prior to this peak day.…”

Literature Review on Technological Applications to Monitor and Evaluate Calves’ Health and Welfare

“…However, the best prediction model was only at −1 day prior to disease with a moderate accuracy of 71.5%, Se of 68.8% and an Sp of 72.4%. Gardaloud et al [ 64 ] reported a predictive model for BRD using behaviour data (obtained with an ear-attached 3D accelerometer) from −2 d and −3 d before symptoms with better Se (71.4%) and Sp (95.2%). Moreover, in Goharshahi et al [ 65 ], diarrheic calves had a longer lying time (64.8 min) −1 day prior to clinical identification compared with control calves (ear tag-based accelerometers; Smartbow GmbH).…”

Changes of the daily and hourly behavioral time of respiratory disease calves in a group rearing system for 7 days prior to the date of clinical diagnosis

“…The diseased calf had significantly (P < 0.05) longer daily lying time than the other calves had on the À7, À5, À3, À2, and À1 day relative to the diagnosis day. The largest difference between the diseased calf and the other calves was 67 min/day on the day prior to diagnosis Gardaloud et al (2022). reported that diseased calves showed more daily inactive times from À5 days and longer daily lying time from…”