Pathology of calf diarrhoea

Question 1

Common causes of neonatal calf diarrhoea

Answer 1

Colisepticaemia, enteric E. coli

Salmonella

Joint ill

Question 2

Key points in colisepticaemia

Answer 2

Particular serotypes of E. coli

Acute onset disease

Affected animals generally hypogammaglobulinaemic

Question 3

Key points in neonatal calf diarrhoea

Answer 3

Common problem

Generally in calves less than 1 month old

Bacterial, viral, and parasitic aetiologies

Colostrum an important preventative factor

Major economic importance

Question 4

Key points in salmonellosis

Answer 4

Affects calves and adults

Diarrhoea (dysentery)

Abortion

Carrier animals important in spread of disease

Zoonosis

Question 5

Key points in joint ill

Answer 5

Infectious poly-arthritis

Often an associated navel-ill

Usually in calves born indoors

Colostrum and environmental hygiene important

Occurs in young calves but can become a chronic condition

Question 6

What organisms are commonly isolated from affected joints in joint ill

Answer 6

Arcanobacterium pyogenes

Fusobacterium necrophorum

Staphylococci

Streptococci