Food Animal Compendium January 2000

ASK THE EXPERT

“How should colostrum-deprived,

transport-stressed calves be managed?”
Karen Jacobsen, DVM, MS
Production Medicine Section
Department of Large Animal Medicine
College of Veterinary Medicine
University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia
alves sent to veal operations,
born calves because their immune
systems, although not completely ma-
ture, can mount both humoral and
cellular immune responses. In addi-
tion, calves with failure of passive
transfer do not experience interfer-
ence from maternal antibodies. Even
when some calves in a group have
adequate passive transfer, vaccination
protocols should not be precluded.
trolled research trials have document-
ed the success or failure of programs
involved with raising high-risk calves.4
High-risk calves include those that
arrive at calf ranches or veal opera-
tions with partial or complete failure
of passive transfer. Consulting veteri-
narians who are experienced in the
rearing of such calves have, through
trial and error, developed programs

C dairy heifer-rearing facilities,

and Holstein beef operations
frequently do not receive adequate
colostrum before they are shipped.
The stress from transport along with
commingling of animals can result in
further compromise to the calf’s de-
fense system. Although the optimal
method of administering antibodies
and other immunologic proteins to
colostrum-deprived, transport-stressed
calves is through plasma or blood
transfusion, this is typically impracti-
cal and economically prohibitive, es-
pecially for a large group of calves. In
addition, the risk of hemolytic reac-
tions to mismatched blood or of dis-
ease transmission via blood or plas-
ma must be considered. Bovine
leukemia virus, bovine viral diarrhea
virus, and bluetongue virus, in addi-
tion to other less prevalent viruses,
can be spread to transfusion recipi-
ents. Thus alternative approaches
must be considered for the welfare of
both the calves and the production
facility.
Vaccination Protocols
Vaccines can be administered to new-
Modified-live virus (MLV) vac-
cines can be used to stimulate a calf’s
cellular immune system, particularly
that reduce loss from deaths. Howev-
er, specific programs for high-risk
calves should be custom-fitted to
the interferon response.1–3 Because each bovine facility.
vaccines from different pharmaceuti- Generally, a combination of MLV
cal companies vary in method of vaccines, vitamins, metaphylactic an-
production and viral strain, veteri- tibiotics, and cryptosporidiosis pre-
narians must be familiar with the vention is recommended (see Example
specific vaccine recommended. Calf-Raising Program for High-Risk
Published data confirming that a Calves). The use of metaphylactic
particular MLV vaccine does not re- antibiotics carries the risk of selecting
sult in viral shedding to herd mates for antibiotic-resistant bacterial pop-
lend support to using a vaccine.4 ulations and should be recommend-
ed with caution. Systemic adminis-
Minimizing Calf Mortality tration of vitamins A, D, and E is
The timing of vaccination proto- advisable because these fat-soluble vi-
cols may be critical. Only a few con- tamins are present in colostrum.
The purpose of Ask the Expert is to provide expert answers to questions that are
frequently asked by practitioners. Readers are encouraged to ask questions that
they would like to have answered, and experts are welcome to submit questions
they would like to address. The opinions expressed in this column are those of the
author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher. For sugges-
tions involving topics in food animal medicine, please contact Dr. Gatz Riddell,
Department of Large Animal Surgery and Medicine, College of Veterinary
Medicine, Auburn University, AL 36849-5522; 334-844-6705; fax 334-844-
6715; email riddemg@vetmed. auburn.edu.
Compendium January 2000
Example Calf-Raising Program for High-Risk Calves*
High-risk calves include those that arrive at veal operations or calf ranches partially or completely colostrum deprived
and transport stressed. Frequently, these calves are also commingled.
■ On Arrival
Management: Dip navels with 7% tincture of iodine;
repeat daily for 2 more days. Inject calves with
vitamins A, D, and E. Weigh calves.
Housing: House calves in properly drained hutches
or in clean, dry, well-ventilated individual pens
with a physical barrier between pens to prevent
contact among calves.
Vaccines: Administer modified-live virus (MLV)
vaccine for infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR)
to stimulate the systemic interferon response for
7–9 days, providing broad-spectrum antiviral
protection, and to stimulate calf appetites by the
local interferon response.
Nutrition: Feed whole milk or milk replacer at 8% of
body weight daily, divided into two feedings; start
feeding small portions of high-quality calf starter
grain mix containing an ionophore coccidiostat
twice daily. Provide free-choice fresh water.
■ 10 Days After Arrival
Management: Dehorn electrically, with tube gouge,
or with caustic paste. Use fly control.
Vaccines: Administer four-way (IBR, parainfluenza-3,
bovine respiratory syncytial, bovine viral diarrhea)
MLV, Moraxella bovis (if pinkeye problems exist),
and seven-way clostridium vaccines.
Nutrition: Feed whole milk or milk replacer at 10% of
body weight daily, divided into two feedings; continue
feeding calf starter grain mix containing coccidiostat
twice daily. Provide free-choice fresh water.
■ At Weaning and Moving (4–8 weeks of age)
Management and housing: Vaccinate and deworm
calves 3–4 days before weaning and removing
from hutches or barn. Institute excellent fly
control measures in group pens. Weigh tape and
measure calves’ height. After moving calves, keep
them in groups of 10 (maximum) for the first
month, then groups of 20 (maximum) until they
are 5–6 months of age. Provide shade and shelter
from wind and rain.
Vaccines: Administer four-way MLV + five-way
leptospirosis , seven-way clostridium, and
Moraxella bovis (if pinkeye problems exist)
vaccines.
Nutrition: Feed a grower grain mix plus pasture or
excellent-quality hay twice daily; keep feed in
front of weaned calves.
*The recommendations given in this example are based on clinical experience and not research data. Veterinarians should customize their
recommendations to clients on a farm-by-farm basis.
Food Animal
■ 5 Months of Age
Management: Continue fly control measures;
consider using back rubbers at feed or water,
sprays, or fly tags. Remove extra teats on dairy
heifers. Weigh tape and measure calves’ height.
Vaccines and deworming: Administer four-way MLV
+ leptospirosis, seven-way clostridium, brucellosis,
and Moraxella bovis (optional) vaccines. Deworm
calves.
Nutrition: Feed grower grain mix plus pasture or
excellent-quality hay.
■ 6 Months of Age (booster vaccinations)
Management: Weigh tape and measure calves’ height.
Vaccines: Boost all vaccines given at 5 months of age
except brucellosis.
Nutrition: Feed grower grain mix plus pasture or
excellent-quality hay.
■ 13 Months of Age (1 month before first breeding
of dairy heifers)
Management: Continue excellent fly control
measures. Measure calves height by marking
chutes. Determine body condition scores.
Vaccines and deworming: Administer four-way
MLV + leptospirosis, seven-way clostridium, and
Moraxella bovis (optional) vaccines. Deworm calves.
Nutrition: Feed total mixed ration or heifer grain
mix plus pasture or excellent-quality hay.
■ 23 Months of Age (springing heifers)
Management: Move calves into close-up heifer
grouping. Determine weigh tape, scales, or visual
weight estimates of calves. Determine body
condition scores.
Vaccines and deworming: Administer four-way killed
+ five-way leptospirosis, seven-way clostridium, and
Moraxella bovis (optional) vaccines. Deworm calves.
Nutrition: Feed high-energy, high-protein, low-
sodium ration; carefully monitor dry-matter
intake to prevent negative energy balance before
parturition. The total ration consumed should
have a negative dietary cation–anion difference;
avoid high-potassium forages.
Note: Keep fresh water available to all calves 24
hours a day, especially baby calves before weaning.
Studies have shown that they will grow faster and be
healthier when free-choice water is available.
Food Animal
Veterinarians who assist producers with their colostrum-
deprived, transport-stressed, commingled calves must rely
on experience and applied immunology until more con-
trolled trials can be conducted. The recommendations and
information shared here must be considered empiric and
warrant modification as new information is discovered.
References
1. Cummins JM, Rosenquist BD: Partial protection of calves against
parainfluenza-3 virus infection by nasal-secretion interferon induced
Compendium January 2000
by infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus. Am J Vet Res
43(8):1334–1138, 1982.
2. Cummins JM, Rosenquist, BD: Temporary protection of calves against
adenovirus infection by nasal-secretion interferon induced by infectious
bovine rhinotracheitis virus. Am J Vet Res 43(6):955–960, 1962.
3. Cortese VS, West KH, Hassard LE, et al: Clinical and immunologic
responses of vaccinated and unvaccinated calves to infection with a
virulent type-II isolate of bovine viral diarrhea virus. JAVMA
213(9):1312–1319, 1998.
4. Cortese VS, Ellis J, Whittaker R, et al: BVD virus transmission fol-
lowing attenuated vaccines to BVDV seronegative cattle. Large Anim
Pract 18(5):18–224, 1997.