Scour Problems Flashcards
What is the age of calves affected by Enterotoxigenic Ecoli (K99)?
1-3 days old
List 2 other hx expected in Enterotoxigenic Ecoli?
1) Possible FPT
2) Age: 1-3 days old
Clinical signs seen in Enterotoxigenic Ecoli?
Dehydration, Recumbent, tachycardia,normal-increase Resp rate, bloated , sloshing on abdominal ballotment, profuse yellow - white diarrhoea, pyrexia that rapidly progress to hypothermia
Diagnostics for Enterotoxigenic Ecoli?
1) Snap test
2) Culture and sensitivity
3) Serum total protein measurement
What is the ideal quantity , percentage and time a newly born calf should receive colostrum?
Must have taken ~15% BDW within 18 hrs of birth.
1) Within 6hrs after birth- 10% of the BDW(~4L)
2) Within 12 hrs after birth- Further 5% BDW (~2L)
What happens when a newly born calf is unable to get a quality colostrum within 12-24 hrs?
The intestinal mucousal tight junctions are impermeable to immunoglobulins.
What happens when new born calves are given dirty colostrum?
The intestinal mucousal tight junctions are closed quicker
What is the reason for the closure of the gut of the new born calf?
To allow the newborn calf absorb the immunoglobulins as quickly as possible before they consume pathogenic microbes that may compromise the system.
Why should you still feed the new born calf colostrum after 24hrs despite not being able to prior?
It could still be benefit the calf as it helps to coat the mucosal lining of the gut and provide local protection against infection
Which group of calves are at higher risk of poor quality colostrum?
1) Heifers
2) High yielding cows
How is colostrum measured?
1) Refractometer
adv: Requires smaller sample, quicker and more accurate
2) Colostrometer
In increasing order of cost (cheapest to most expensive) what are used to measure the level of passive transfer?
1) Serum total protein
2) GGT
3) Zinc turbidity
4) Gaamma globin levels
When is the ideal time to measure passive transfer level?
2-7 days after birth. After which the measurement will be distorted because the calf will have started producing its immunoglobin
What is the ideal level of immunoglobin in a new born calf through passive transfer?
> 5.2 g/dL
< 4.8 g/dL is in adequate
5.5 g/dL - is the encouraged target as it indicates low levels of the disease.
Why is snatching new born dairy calves from the dam and giving colostrum better than colostrum gotten to suckling from the dam or another cow?
1) Allows proper monitoring
2) It allows the farmer to be able to ensure the right amount of colostrum is giving to the calf. and at the right period
What is the reason why high yielding cows produce low /poor quality colostrum?
Immunoglobulin becomes diluted as colostrum quality decreases with each milking.
Colostrum quality is directly proportional to the length of dry period . Short period = poor colostrum
What is the ideal dry period in cow
5 weeks
Why should a farmer snatch the dairy calf at birth in farms with risk of Johne’s disease?
1) Aids prevention of the disease through suckling
2) Aids prevention of the disease through fecal- oral rout from the udder
Why should pasterurization be encouraged in farm where calves have Mycoplasma respiratory disease?
Helps reduce mycoplasma transmission
What is the effect of pasteurization in Mycobacterium avian subspecies paratuberculosis (Johne’s disease)
Helps reduce its burden but doesn’t kill it
What is the ideal minimum number of times you can feed a calve after separation from the dam?
2 times daily
what is the effect of feeding milk replacers to calves in incorrect concentration?
Can lead to dietary Scour
Why should you increase the concentration of milk replacers in cold weather?
there will be increased energy requirements
What is the ideal water requirement in calves (as soon as they leave enter calf pens)?
4-6 L/ kg of concentrate consumed
When is the ideal time to introduce creep feed to calves?
Before 2 weeks of age and it is gradually increased towards weaning.
Why should calves have access to good quality forage from an early age?
To encourage healthy rumen development.
Straw is the best
What is the quantity of protein required?
> 1kg/ day 20% protein ration (may be expensive)
