Workshop- Optimal Management of the New-born Calf

what are the ways to test colostrum quality?

what result will goo colostrum give?

using a Colostrometer or Brix refractometer a threshold of 50 mg/ml IgG is considered ‘good quality’ colostrum

Brix 22% or 50 mg/ml Immunoglobulin (IgG)...

This is based on Holstein Friesian colostrum

• Slightly higher % for beef, ewe, and sow colostrum have been researched

Testing total protein (serum) in calf

what are you looking for when measurng TP?

what should serum IgG be?

When measuring total protein (TP) a threshold of >5.2 g/L TP means passive transfer of immunoglobulins has occurred

Below 8.1% (8.4%) is considered failure of passive transfer (FPT)

Brix 8.1% or serum IgG >10 g/L

This is equivalent to serum total protein

5.0 g/dL or

50 mg/ml

Again, slightly higher % may be reported for other farmed species

is a higher % os Ig actually better in colostrum or will anything over 22% be good

the higher the % the better

what factors impact colostrum quality?

• nutrition of dam

• cleanliness

• IMI present

• dam bcs

• leaking prior to birth

• vacc status

• time of collection post birth

• temp stressers

• vol produced

• species

• breed

• dam age

• calve on due date

how does nutrition impact colostrum qual

nutrition in dry period contributes to quantity and qual of colostrum

Esp protein intake

how does cleanliness impact colostrum qual

• Is managemnt control of calfs, colostrum and farm

• Should be harvested cleanly and into a clean bucket

• Need washing up liquid and hot water to break down fat globules

• Shouldn’t be sitting on side and opended

• Stored in fridge

• Everything used to feed just be cleaned properly

• Colostrum shouldn’t be building up

how does dam age impact colostrum qual

first time→ lower qual colostrum

how does vol produced impact colostrum qual

• Nutriton has some impact but individual and breed depednent

how does temp stressors impact colostrum qual

• Ventilation

• But cant fully control

• Heat stress affects colostrum production

how does vacc status impact colostrum qual

• Not necessarily incrs ig content but affect the fraction Ig that are specific to certain pathogens

  • Esp rota and corona vacc

  • So protect calves

how does milk leaking prior to birth impact colostrum qual

If beyond calving date can leak colostrum so get reduction in ig content

what is included in immediate neonatal care in the first 24hrs?

are they indoors or outdoors

breathing

standing, within1-2hrs

injury/congenital problems

colostrum and suckling - target 10% of body weight in 6hrs

dry and warm - prevent hypothermia

navel management - 7 %iodine

are they indoors or outdoors ? how does this affect the car of the neonate

inside- warmer, more climate control, but more infection risk

outside - temp fluctuates more, can be cleaner

how can you rectify breathing

• Ambibags

• Clear airwaysupto 30s for calf is beneficial to hang upside down if have fluid on chest is beneficial but longer is worse bc abdominal contents push onto diaphragm even if there is fluid there

• Lamb: tip gently upsdie down, don’t swing

what injuries or congenital issues should be picked up, what can they mean

• Usually limb injurries in calves due to the traction to get them out

• No cleft palate -> affect ability to form tight seal to suckle colostrum and milk

• Heart esp calves see murmurs, not as much in piglets and lambs

• Some abnormalities may not be compatible with life

how might there be evidence OF A PROBLEM

• No response to external stimuli:

• Absent suckling reflex:

• Swollen tongue or head:

• Meconium staining:

• Assisted birth considerations:

why does it matter that the birth was assisted or not

Risk of hypoxia, acidosis, fractures, nerve damage.

what does meconium staining indicate

Indicates fetal distress before birth (aspiration risk).

what can a swollen head or tongue indicate

Could indicate dystocia-related trauma or fluid retention from a difficult birth.

• Head trapped in pelvis and pressure around neck → Head and tongue swell

• So cant form tight enough seal around the teat

• So might not get enough colostrum

• Provide colostrum either bottle or stomach tube

• Nsaids bc bruised and pain

• Scleral haemorrhage -> bc incrs intraocular pressure

what can absent suckling reflex indicate

Suggests neurological issues, weakness, or hypoglycemia.

• Should have it immedietly after birth

• No reflex → cant suckle effectively and gain colostrum

• So need added care if don’t have this

• Incrs risk of failure of passive transfer and incrs morbidity and mortaliy in first few mo of life if not have

what can no response to stimuli mean

Could indicate hypoxia, acidosis, or hypoglycemia.

• ear should flick

when should ruminants/ lambs and calves be standing/ in sternal after birth ?

sternal within 10 minutes

standing within the hour

need help if not - risk of reduced colostrum intake, and other issues

why is it important to keep neonates dry and warm ?

thermoneutral zone is quite small

keep housed if possible

what % iodine is appropriate for navals?

5-10%

ideally 7.5%

when should neonates respond to stimuli

immediately

why does it matter if the birth required assistance or surgery

it is more difficult to adapt and may have injuries

How to assist a struggling neonate...

the key things...

STIMULATE RESPIRATION

ASSIST THERMOREGULATION

INCREASE BLOOD VOLUME

how can we increase blood vol

colostrum

• rarely use blood products

how can we assist thermoregulation

dry the animal

plenty of clean bedding

provide a safe source of heat

how can we stimulate respiration

•Acidosis correction (sternal recumbency)

•Stimulating nostril

(straw, needle)

•Doxopram→ not used anymore

You are on farm for a routine fertility visit and the farmer mentions that a lot of the pre-weaned calves have diarrhoea. Typically calves get diarrhoea at 10-14 days old.

This has been a periodic issue for some time, but the milk buyer has started to raise concerns about mortality rates on the farm and the farmer wants to get this resolved.

After ensuring the sick calves are treated appropriately you turn your attention to getting to the bottom of the problem to enable you to provide advice for the farmer to prevent further outbreaks.

how you might investigate this problem?

Herd history: Age of affected calves, seasonality, mortality rate trends.

Colostrum management: Check serum total protein (STP) in calves.

• would still be at a point where reliant on maternal derived abodies

Environmental factors: Hygiene, bedding, overcrowding.

Pathogen testing: Fecal samples for Rotavirus, Coronavirus, Cryptosporidium, E. coli.

• there is a scour vacc

Nutritional factors: Milk replacer quality and consistency.

Water supply: Contaminated water can be a source of pathogens.

You are called out at 4am to attend a calving. The farmer has been trying to calve the cow for about 2 hours prior to calling you. You perform a successful caesarean section and deliver a calf that is alive but appears very weak.

In your groups think about what considerations you might need to make for care of this newborn calf.

Correct acidosis/ hypoxic: Place calf in sternal recumbency, provide oxygen if needed.

Stimulate respiration: Use nostril stimulation, rubbing, Doxapram if necessary.

Thermoregulation: Dry thoroughly, provide deep bedding or heat lamp.

Colostrum management: Ensure high-quality colostrum ASAP, and check suckle reflex

Monitor for sepsis: Due to prolonged labor, antibiotics or anti-inflammatories might be needed.

NSAIDs

• is off license in calves of this age

• also maybe not if dehydrated

You have been asked to speak to a new client of your practice. This client is a small holder with 2 sows that they are hoping to have piglets from – they house these pigs outdoors and plan to rear the piglets as outdoor pigs. The client has previously worked on an intensively managed housed pig farm but does not have any experience with outdoor pig systems.

In your groups think about what differences between the care of newborn piglets that are in indoor and outdoor pig systems and what advice you wish to provide to this client.

Key differences:

Thermal environment: Outdoor piglets more susceptible to hypothermia, but can get sunburnt

Disease risk: Indoor piglets higher risk of infections due to close contact.

Colostrum management: Outdoor piglets may struggle to find teats in cold weather.

Advice for the client:

Provide shelter with deep straw bedding.

Ensure piglets find teats quickly.

Consider heated creep area for piglets.

Watch for crushing risk under sow. regular checks. dont really use farrowing crates outside

needs to be close so can check regularly