Bovine Neonatology

Question 1

Dry cows

Answer 1

Not actively being milked (resting period)
1. Nutrition: Highly quality
2. Good housing (sand & grass, no hard dirt with debris)
3. Health: Ideal BCS, current on vax, eval/tx for mastitis

Question 2

Maternity pen

Answer 2

1. Clean dry area
2. No overcrowded
3. Ventilation & lighting
4. Remove bedding & disinfect
5. Tools within reach (lube, sleeves, chains, ect)

Question 3

What does the calf need immediately after birth?

Answer 3

1. Stim breathing
2. Rub vigorously
3. Straw in nostril
4. Sit sternal
5. DO NOT hang by rear legs!!

Question 4

Calf vitals:
Temp
Pulse
RR
MM
CRT

Answer 4

1. Temp:
   - 102-103 F at birth
   - 101-102 within 1hr
2. PR: 100-150bpm
3. RR: 50-75bpm
4. MM: Pale pink to pink
5. CRT: <3 sec

Question 5

Newborn care

Answer 5

1. Dip navel (umbilical cord)
   - Iodine (less common now)
   - 2% chlorhexiderm
2. “3 peat” For dipping
   - At birth
   - 2nd colostrum (6-12hr post)
   - Next feeding
3. Vaccines (couple hrs after birth?)

Question 6

Colostrum should meet…

Answer 6

1. Quickness: How fast post birth
2. Quantity: Goal of 1 gallon
3. Quality: High IgG
4. Cleanliness: Free of bacteria

Question 7

Give an example of a species that can do transplacentral transfer and one that cannot

Answer 7

• Can:
  Primates & rodents
• Cannot:
  Cattle, sheep, horses, & pigs

Question 8

T/F: Failure of passive transfer increases the risk of neonatal disease if they do not receive at least <10mg/mL IgG in the colostrum

Answer 8

True!!

Question 9

There is a ___% decline every 12 hours of life of a calf absorbing colostrum

Answer 9

50%

Question 10

Give two reasons why it’s important calves get colostrum ASAP?

Answer 10

1. Ability to absorb IgG and colostrum itself
2. Exposure to bacteria without the proper passive immunity to protect them

Question 11

What are “the goods” in colostrum? (5)

Answer 11

1. IgG
2. Leukocytes (not found in frozen colostrum)
3. Growth factors, hormones, protein
4. Passive transfer of immunity (antibodies)
5. Calories

Question 12

Colostrometer
What does it do?

Answer 12

1. Reads quality of colostrum
   - Green means go!
2. Room temperature is better accuracy
3. Record quality and date
4. Highest quality is saved for heifers

Question 13

Colostrum can be measured on… (2)

Answer 13

1. Clostrometer
2. Refractometer

Question 14

Adverse effects of contaminated colostrum being fed to calves (3)

Answer 14

1. Interfere with IgG absorption
2. Increase rate of closure
3. Direct transfer of disease from cow to calf

Question 15

What/how to clean equipment for getting colostrum? (4)

Answer 15

1. Rinse with lukewarm water
2. Wash with hot H2O, detergent, bleach, & brush
3. Rinse with acid (skip step for cow teat)
4. Dry

Question 16

How to minimize health problems in the calves (3)

Answer 16

1. Minimize pathogen exposure
   - Sanitation: Maternity stall, house calves in clean, & well-ventilated area
2. Minimizing contacts
   - Individual housing
   - Adequate spacing between stalls
3. People exposed to calves with good hygiene
   - Care for calves prior to older animals
   - Develop chore routine to minimize pathogen transmission

Question 17

___ is the leading cause of death of preweaned dairy heifer. The ___ is going to kill them first with this disease.

Answer 17

1. Diarrhea!!
2. Dehydration

Question 18

____ affects 21.3% of preweaned calves and 50.4% of post weaned heifers. This can occur due to ___, failure to ___, or improper ____.

Answer 18

1. Pneumonia
2. Stress
3. Vaccinate
4. Housing

Question 19

Benefits of group housing (5)

Answer 19

1. Improved weight gains
2. Smoother weaning transitions
3. Stronger calves (muscle devel thru play)
4. Expressions of normal social behavior
5. More efficient for labor