Calves are an important component in a herd especially in a dairy farm looking forward to a sustained milk production as the old stock is culled off. Disturbed calf growth due to diseases and poor nutrition will decrease milk production ability at maturity despite the breed potential. Calves will suffer most from diseases and are likely to die compared to adult animals as their immunity is relatively weak. To boost their immunity, it is recommended that the calf is allowed to suckle as much colostrum as possible in its initial stages of life.

Importance of Colostrum

Colostrum is the first milk produced by a cow after giving birth. It has highly nutritive value and antibodies needed by the fragile newborn. For a calf to have a good start it should consume adequate amounts of high quality colostrum. Cases of inadequate colostrum intake can be caused by difficult births, harsh weather conditions, thin or sick mothers.

Difficult births and harsh weather conditions cause stress to the newborn and can reduce their appetite for colostrum. In such cases the calf must be assisted either to suckle or ingest as much colostrum. Thin and sick animals may not produce adequate or high quality colostrum and outsourcing can be done to supplement the deficit. It is advisable to give every newborn 6-8 per cent of its body weight in colostrum during the first five hours after birth. Going by this formula, Fresian calves will require about four litres while Jersey, Ayshire and Guernsey will require three litres daily split into two feedings. Calves can be allowed to suckle or can be fed through esophageal or oral feeders which can be bought from veterinary stores.

If the calf is being fed, the colostrum should be milked from a cow and stored in clean containers and their date of collection indicated. Fresh or refrigerated colostrum provides the best combination of antibodies, vitamins and minerals needed by the calf’s biological system. Colostrum can be frozen and stored and used to feed calves whose mothers have diseases like mastitis or as a supplement to first time heifers with inadequate colostrum.

Refrigerated colostrum should be used within one week and frozen colostrum within 1 year of collection. Colostrum absorption may be compromised in calves born in extreme heat or cold weather conditions, calves that have difficult deliveries, abnormal gestational length or those with respiratory problems.

Other factors that impair immunity of calves are inadequate carbohydrates, protein deficiency, selenium, copper, manganese, zinc or iron mineral deficiencies and vitamins A, C or E deficiency. Although calves are prone to diseases; the good news is that they can be prevented through a well-designed health management programme by your vet. Healthy calves will grow fast and can attain maturity as early as 13 months therefore enabling the farmer maximise on their productivity. The following are common diseases that affect calves before they are weaned and they are better prevented than treated.

Diarrhoea

Diarrhoea accounts for over 50 per cent of deaths in calves within the first month of life. Most likely it is a symptom for an underlying illness. It can cause death within a very short time and it should be reported immediately it is noticed.

Diarrhoea can be caused by bacterial, viral or protozoan infections which are mostly picked from the environment during feeding. This condition can impair the absorption of colostrum through the digestive system into blood further compromising the calf’s immunity. The calf will have watery feces which result in loss of body fluids and electrolytes, dry mucus membranes, sunken eyes, inelastic skin and a rough hair coat. The calf will lose appetite, become weak and will prefer to lie down. If not treated timely the calf can die within 24 hours of infection. For effective treatment the vet will have to identify the causative agent and will treat, vaccinate or disinfect the calve house. To prevent diarrhoea ensure your calves live in a clean environment and suckle enough colostrum. The mother must also be housed in a clean environment before and after birth.

Pneumonia

Pneumonia which is the infection of lungs is the second most common cause of deaths in calves. It is predisposed by stressful conditions that compromise the immunity of the calf. Viruses are the main causes of pneumonia. Transportation, crowded calf pens and temperature variations can cause stress in calves and thus predispose them to pneumonia. Signs include increased breathing rate, watery discharge from eyes, dullness, low appetite, increased body temperature among others. Septicemia in calves is caused by entry, multiplication and production bacterial toxins in blood and can occur as early as five days after birth. Infection can occur while the calf is in the womb, during or after birth. The sources of infection include the mother’s blood, the umbilical stump wound or any other open wound. It is a fatal disease as it can easily spread and affect vital body organs. The calf will be weak, suckle poorly, swollen joints, increased breathing rate among others.