Neonatal Calf Losses Identifying and managing calf health ... · VMTRC, Pfizer Calf Meeting...

Identifying and managing calf health issues

Frank Garry, DVM, MS

Neonatal Calf Losses

Death < 2 days oldTypically non-infectiousAssociated with physiological derangements

Birthing trauma, difficult postnatal adaptation, etc.

Death ≥ 3 days oldLikely infectious in nature

Potential physiologic problems that don’t kill may predispose to infectious problems

Calf Losses

Vast majority - calves < 28 days

First 24 hrs > 50 %To 1 week > 75 %To 40 days = 89 %

(Patterson, 1987)

Adaptation to extrauterine life

Tremendous physiologic transitionNumerous influencesNot always successful

Neonatal adaptation

RespiratoryCardiovascularMetabolicFluid balanceThermoregulationMusculo-skeletalNeurologic

Organ system changes

Consequences of poor adaptation

Decreased activity, lethargyDelayed intake of colostrum

decreased energy/nutrient intakedecreased fluid volumedecreased Ig transfer

Hypothermia, hypoxemiaDecreased disease resistance

Abnormal Neonatal Adaptation

Dystocia

Premature birth

Illness in dam

Other causes

Periparturient Calf ProblemsCalves with Dystocia

4 - 5 X more likely to die(Azzam, 1993)

60 % of total calf loss(Bellows, 1987)

3.8 X more likely to develop other disease (Wittum, 1991)

Stillbirths – death w/in 24 hrs

%

2.4%

37.9%

6.3% 6.3%

Management to decrease dystocia losses

Decrease occurrence of dystociaManage dystocia to decrease

impact on calves and damsIdentify abnormal calves and

provide more care

Neonatal Assistance = Mothering Stimulate and enhance respiration

Assist in ventilation of the lungs (breathing)Stimulate by rubbing / drying calf

Maintain body temperature (thermoregulation)Provide supplemental heat

Increase blood volume and provide energyAdminister colostrum

Assessment of VigorHead-right, sternal recumbence,

attempt to stand, standing3, 5, 20, 60 minutes, respectively

↑ 15 min to sternal = 84% predictive of nonvitality

Schuijt G., Taverne MA. Vet Record. 1994; 135.

Neonatal Assistance

Stimulate and enhance respiration Place in sternal recumbency Remove mucus from airway Vigorous drying/rubbing on chest Provide positive pressure ventilation Administration of oxygen

O2 flow rate=2-4L/min

Oxygen Administration

Hypothermia

Heath generation vs heat lossRapid decrease - stabilizationDrying, stimulation, heat

supplementation, shelter

Neonatal Assistance Maintain body temperature

Supplemental heat sources Heaters, hot water bottles; warming hut Colostrum – also provides energy for activity Calf jacket

If calf’s temp is 100° or less – provide heat source

www.polydome.com

Food for Thought: Thermogenesis

Infrared heater for 24 hrs postpartumSignificant improvements to:Rectal temp, So2(%), tidal volume,

dynamic lung compliance, & respiratory rate

Uystepruyst CH, et al. Vet J (2002) 52.

Neonatal Assistance Increase blood volume and provide

energy

Non-immunoglobulin Components of Colostrum

Other immune-active agentsOptimum source of standard

nutritional elementsConcentrated energy, protein,

vitamins, mineralsFluid, warmth

Nutrients in First-Milking ColostrumContents of colostrum vs. milk

Percent Colost MilkImmunoglobulin 6.0 .09Protein 14.0 3.1Fat 6.7 3.5Lactose 2.7 5.0Calcium .26 .13Phosphorus .24 .09

Nutrients in First-Milking ColostrumContents of colostrum vs. milk

Ca 2X I 2XP 2.5X Co 10XMg 4X Vit A 8XFe 20X Vit D 4XZn 4X Vit E 6XMn 5X Vit B12 8X

Neonatal Assistance Stimulate and enhance respiration

Sternal recumbencyMechanical ventilationOxygen therapy

Maintain body temperatureHeatersBlankets

Increase blood volume and provide energyColostrum

Calving/Dystocia Monitoring ProgramRecord the following:

Date of birthDam / lactation # / SireCalf alive / deadSingleton, twin, tripletGenderDystocia score (1,2,3)Calf vigor – time to stand and nurseBody temperatureColostrum quality / timing / volume

Take Home Messages Dystocia monitoring should be

implemented on every operation.

Simple interventions for the first few hours after birth can make the difference between life and death.

Dystocia and subsequent morbidity/ mortality are major economic AND animal-welfare issues.

Calf Infectious Disease

u Localized / superficial

u Focal / inflammatory

u Septicemic

Calf Scours

RotavirusCoronavirusCryptosporidiumE. coli - K99

Calf Scours Enteritis

uLocalized infection

uMinimal inflammation

uMinimal invasion

uDisturbed GI function

Calf Diarrhea Agents from Neonatal Calves

Reynolds. VMTRC. Personal Communication via J. Olson

Cryptosporidium parvum

Most common agent causing diarrhea, usually between 7 and 14 days of age

During average infectionCalves shed oocysts for six to nine daysCalves scour for average of three days50 million oocysts per gm fecesAverage calf sheds 40 billion oocysts

Primary infection route is fecal-oralInfective dose is between 10 and 100 oocyts

RotavirusOne of most common agents causing

diarrheaUsually seen 7 to 14 days of age Infectious dose is about 10 particlesWithin 48 hr post-infection, 1 billion viral

particles per gm of feces Infects and destroys cells of small intestine

CoronavirusTypically causes disease between 7 to 30

Days of AgeSimilar type of damage to intestinal villus as

Rotavirus, but more severeMore severe

More severe damage to intestinal villiAffects both small and large intestine

Normal Microvilli

Microvilli Blunted by rotavirus

Microvilli Destroyed by corona virus

Mechanisms of Diarrhea

Hypersecretion

Maldigestion

Malabsorption

100 lb calf

Diet (lb/d)

Milk ORS

10 0

10 2

10 5

10 7

10 10

10 12

Inflammatory Enteritis

uSalmonellosis

uInvasive E. coli

uClostridial enteritis

E. coli diarrhea Attaching and effacing E. coli: usually between 3 and 21

daysFocal Inflammatory Diseaseu Inflammatory response and damageu Disrupt organ functionu Toxin production / systemic effects

SepticemiaDistribution through blood

Multiple organ involvement

Inflammation – widespread

Multiple mediating factors

Septicemia

Moeller Jr., 2005. VMTRC, Pfizer Calf Meeting

Learning issuesThe most common causes of calf diarrhea

are crypto, rota and corona virus = calf scours

These occur most commonly between 1 and 2 weeks of age

These hurt or kill calves by causing fluid and electrolyte loss

Antibiotics do not affect these bugs, and the infection resolves on its own if the calf survives.

Learning issuesBacterial infections – Salmonella, E coli

and clostridium CAN cause diarrhea, but also invade other tissues

These occur over a broader time range - like 4 to 30 days

These kill calves by invading and causing bad tissue inflammation and damage

Antibiotics may be useful against these bugs

Diagnosis

History* Physical examinationLaboratory testingResponse to treatmentNecropsy

Physical Examination

Skin tentStrength and ActivityEyeglobe positionPeripheral perfusionDiarrhea

= evidence of dehydration

Physical Examination

TPRM M perfusionMentationSuckle responseAbdominal fillExtra-GI involvement

Diagnosis

Findings Suggestive of Septicemia

Physical findings

u Red / inflamed mucous membranesu Prominent scleral blood vesselsu Depression > dehydrationu Profound depression w/o severe

diarrheau Multiple organ system problems

Physical diagnosisMust compare groups of

observationsDepression, diarrhea,

hydrationDiarrhea, extra-GI,

inflammationAge, clinical course, history

TreatmentScours

u Fluid Therapy - criticalOral, subcutaneous, intravenous

u Antibiotics - very limited efficacyMay be deleterious

u Adjunctive treatments - may have value

100 lb calf

Diet (lb/d)

Milk ORS

10 0

10 2

10 5

10 7

10 10

10 12

DiagnosisPhysiologic parametersFecal analysisELISA, EM, Parasitologic,

Bacteriologic CultureHemogramBlood cultureViral isolation

Diagnosis

u Response to treatmentu Necropsy

Other evaluations

Response to treatment IF you are treating calves with simple

scours, where the main problem is diarrhea and dehydration

IF you treat scours calves early, when they have mild or moderate fluid loss

IF you use oral fluids and electrolytes with the right amount and composition

THEN response to treatment will be very good

Response to treatment IF you use oral fluids and electrolytes with the

right amount and composition And the calf response to treatment is POOR

OR-- IF calves have a more complex problem with

bacterial infection IF calves are very depressed or have fever and

signs of disease besides diarrhea

---THEN you need your veterinarian

NecropsyVERY underutilized in cattle medicineMost valuable diagnostic step if calves

are dying

Coordinate with your local diagnostic labProvide thorough information to the labSend the right samples for the right

reason

Newborn Calf Oral Fluid Therapy

Franklyn Garry, DVM, MS

Eye Globe Position

Smith GW. Vet Clin Food Anim 25 (2009)

Assessing Hydration Status

Smith GW. Vet Clin Food Anim 25 (2009)

Severity of diarrhea / dehydrationvs

Loss of base with Scours

NormalMildModerateSevere

0 - 5 mEq/L10 mEq/L15 mEq/L20 mEq/L

Goals of Scours Therapy

Maintain / improve hydrationCorrect acid - base imbalanceSupplement appropriate electrolytes

Judicious antimicrobialsHelp damaged gut / stop diarrhea ??

100 lb calf

Diet (lb/d)

Milk ORS

10 0

10 2

10 5

10 7

10 10

10 12

Treatment of Scours

Fluid Therapy !!!

Fluid Imbalances From ScoursHypotonic dehydrationMetabolic acidosis

HCO3 Na +Cl -K +

Oral fluid productsNeed to have sufficient sodium to make up

for lossesNeed to also have chloride and potassiumNeed to have alkalinizing abilityGlucose and glycine promote sodium

absorptionMust continue milk feeding – electrolyte

products do not have enough nutrition

Oral fluid products

Alkalinizing agentsBicarbonate (HCO3)AcetatePropionate

Alkalinizing agents

Bicarbonate increases blood pH but also increases pH in abomasum

Increasing abomasum pH may allow bacteria to move to lower bowel

Acetate and propionate increase blood pH but do not affect abomasum

Oral fluid products

ResorbSodium too lowNo alkalinizing agentPoor choice for scours

Additional products without alkalinizing agent

Bovine blueliteBlue RibbonRenewCalf RestartSav-A-CalfOne Day Response

Additional poor choicesAdvance ArrestLow sodium, low alkalinizing

DeliverLow sodium, poor alkalinizing

Oral fluid products Good choices

HydrafeedEntrolyte and Entrolyte HERevitilyte

All have high levels of Bicarb

Oral fluid products Very good choices

Land O Lakes Base plus Add Pack

DiaqueHydraLyteEpic Calf Electrolyte

All have acetate instead of bicarb

Infectious disease preventionMinimize exposure - maximize resistanceColostrumNutrition

Cold weatherPhysiological ‘strength’

Warm / dry/ protected Thermoneutral zone

Fresh waterLow stress

“If you always do what you always did, you’ll always get what you always got.”

Neonatal Calf Losses Identifying and managing calf health ... · VMTRC, Pfizer Calf Meeting...

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