The Detection, Prevention and Treatment of Calf Diseases

Dear Colleagues,

The success of all types of cattle businesses requires the survival and production of healthy calves, whether as replacement dairy or suckler cattle or as stores and finishers for beef production. Therefore, this Special Issue strives to cover the latest research in calf health.

Our knowledge and understanding of the physiology of calves continues to develop, allowing the exploration of optimal management techniques that also improve calf welfare. In particular, the detection and treatment of disease is imperative in this vulnerable age category, both striving to reduce disease occurrence whilst increasing disease detection sensitivity to allow the application of timely interventions to maximize success rates. We look forward to reading the latest research you have conducted in this important area.

Dr. Sophie Anne Mahendran
Dr. Steven Van Winden
Guest Editors

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• calf health
• cattle
• pathophysiology
• epidemiology
• infectious diseases
• population
• detection
• prevention
• treatment

Title: Measurement of bovine respiratory disease using clinical respiratory scoring and thoracic ultrasonography in pre-weaned calves on dairy farms in the United Kingdom: A prospective cohort study
Authors: G. E. Lindley,1 N. Blackie,1 D. C. Wathes1and R. E. Booth1
Affiliation: 1Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, AL9 7TA United Kingdom
Abstract: The respiratory health of dairy calves during the preweaning period is an important determinant of their health, welfare, and future performance. This prospective cohort study assessed the prevalence and incidence of bovine respiratory disease (BRD) on 16 dairy farms, including 476 calves within South-west England. Clinical respiratory scoring using both Wisconsin and California systems and thoracic ultrasonography were performed weekly from birth until 56 days of age (n = 3,344 examinations). BRD cases were classified as localized to either the upper or lower respiratory tract, or both and for each diagnostic method they were classified as new, repeat, or chronic. Measures of disease frequency, including the prevalence, period prevalence and incidence were calculated, and the proportion of cases identified using each technique was compared. BRD prevalence in week 5 using Wisconsin or California scoring was 5.1% (n = 21) and 6.8% (n = 28) respectively, whereas the presence of lobular (≥ 1cm2) or lobar (≥ 1 lung lobe) consolidation was 23.2% (n = 95) and 9% (n = 37). In week 8 the same measures were 5.7% (n = 23), 5.2% (n = 18), 33.5% (n = 117) and 15.2% (n = 53). The incidence rate of BRD throughout the study period was 0.54, 0.60, 1.33 and 0.57 cases per 100 calf-days at risk for Wisconsin, California respiratory score, lobular and lobar consolidation respectively. Overall, the proportion of calves classified as either healthy, with upper respiratory tract disease, subclinical or clinical pneumonia was between 61.9% - 97.7%, 1.7% - 13.5%, 0.2% - 29.5% and 0.0% - 6.3% respectively, dependent upon diagnostic criteria and examination age. Chronologic relationships between measures of respiratory disease revealed that the numbers of new, repeat, and chronic cases were similarly variable depending on diagnostic method. Accurate diagnosis is essential to ensure optimum management and minimize unnecessary antibiotic usage. This study has shown that cases of BRD are missed without thoracic ultrasound, which is likely to be detrimental to long-term health, welfare, and production outcomes.