Spring first-aid for calves

Vet's vision
with Phil Rennie
Tauranga Vets

Prompt and effective management of newborn calves is critical to give them the best chance of getting through the first few vulnerable months of life in good health.

While not exhaustive, below are some of the key ways to minimise issues developing when rearing young calves.

Ensure colostrum intake is 2L in first six hours and 4L in first 12 hours of life for maximal immunity to be absorbed. It might be necessary to use a stomach tube if they will not suckle. Courtesy of a modern design by a Waikato vet there is now a safer and more effective stomach tube to deliver fluids. See your local vet for more details.

Use good quality colostrum, ideally from the first milking for newborn calves. And offer access to fresh water and hay from day one as well as meal from one week of age to assist with rumen development.

Good shed hygiene is also key to preventing spread of disease. Use a virucidal spray twice-weekly, use a free-draining litter to prevent wet areas. Apply all-in all-out systems, and ensure there is no movement between pens.

Use footbaths and separate equipment for an isolation or sick pen. Try to identify and isolate sick calves early. Rectal temperatures above 39.5 degrees Celsius are considered high/feverish and need attention. Compare with other calves in the same pen if you are unsure.

Scouring calves die from dehydration not infection in most cases. So use a good quality electrolyte – the outcome you get is related to what you pay for.

Most sick scouring calves will need around 8L – depending on how dehydrated they are – of fluid a day to rehydrate and maintain hydration, divided into three-four feeds.

All electrolytes have insufficient energy to maintain bodyweight or growth so ensure some milk feeds are had after 24 hours of electrolytes. See table below.

Calves that are unwell with scours can benefit and recover faster by using an anti-inflammatory. Contact your local vet clinic for more details.

 

 

am

midday

pm

overnight

Mild scours

 

Feed milk

Electrolyte

Feed milk

Offer electrolyte

 

 

 

 

 

 

Moderate- severe scours

Day 1

Electrolyte

Electrolyte

Electrolyte

Electrolyte

 

Day 2

Electrolyte

Feed milk

Electrolyte

Electrolyte

 

Day 3

Feed milk

Electrolyte

Feed milk

Electrolyte

 

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