Ruminant Neonatology

Question 1

What are the four best ways to prevent neonatal death?

Answer 1

Reduce stress
Control pathogen load
Insure IgG transfer
Nutrition!

Question 2

What are the five post-calving goals and when should they happen?

Answer 2

Breathing - 30s
Sternal - 15min
HR - 100bpm by 10min
Standing - 3h
Nursing - 6h

Question 3

What amount of colostrum does a calf need to ensure successful passive transfer?

Answer 3

125g IgG

10mg/mL in plasma (1,000mg/dl)

Question 4

How much colostrum should calves get in the first 6 hours of life?

Answer 4

2-4L

Question 5

What are three factors affecting IgG content in colostrum?

Answer 5

Lactation number - 1st and 2nd have lower IgG
Timing of collection - delay in milking, lower IgG
Yield of colostrum - high yield, lower []

Question 6

What is the relationship between mass, volume, and [] of IgG?

Answer 6

M = V[]

Question 7

T/F: Repeat moms have more IgG in colostrum

Answer 7

True

Question 8

T/F: Dairy calves are left to suckle from dam, while beef calves are hand fed colostrum

Answer 8

False; other way around

Question 9

What is the ideal IgG content in colostrum?

Answer 9

> 50mg/mL

Question 10

What is the ideal refractive index of colostrum using a Brix refractometer?

Answer 10

> 22%

Question 11

Why should one never pool colostrum?

Answer 11

Dilutes IgG

Increases risk of pathogen transfer

Question 12

What is the ideal amount of cfu in colostrum?

Question 13

How should colostrum be pasteurized?

Answer 13

60 degrees celsius for 60 min