NEONATAL

DISEASES
Submiited to: Dr.A.M.SYED SIR
BY : Akshay Bhute
Sanjay Bhosle
a. Etiolgy of non inherited defects of calves
external infectious agents,
toxic agents,nutritional deficiencies,harmonal
disturbances bovine viral diarrhea
virus,blue tongue virus,pottasium
plants,microminerals,freemartinism .
BOVINE VIRAL DIARRHEA
 . Bovine viral diarrhea is a viral disease of cattle and
other ruminants that is caused by the bovine viral
diarrhea virus (BVDV).

BVD is transmitted in a number of ways. Either

through a congenital infection of the fetus or after
birth. Congenital infections may cause resorption,
abortion, stillbirth, or live-birth. Congenitally
infected fetuses that survive in utero infection (i.e.,
the live-births) may be born as BVDV-infected calves.
The BVDV infection in these calves will persist during
the entire life of the calf, and they will shed BVDV
continuously in the farm environment.
SYMTOMS
 In adults, clinical signs are highly variable. Signs of acute infection include fever,
lethargy, loss of appetite, ocular dishcharge, nasal dischargem oral lesions,
diarrhea and decreasing milk production. Chronic infection may lead to signs of
mucosal disease.

In calves, the most commonly recognised birth defect is cerebellar hypoplasia. The
signs of this are:
 Ataxia/ lack of voluntary coordination of musle movements;
 Tremors
 Wide stance
 Stumbling
 Failure to nurse
 In severe cases the calf may die.

Transient infections include diarrhea, calf pneumonia, decreased milk production,

reproductive disorders, increased occurrence of other diseases, and death

The losses from fetal infection include abortions; congenital defects; weak and
abnormally small calves; unthrifty, persistently infected (PI) animals; and death
among PI animals.
PREVENTIONS
 Research is ongoing to look at the potential for breeding animals that are less
susceptible to the disease. At the moment, no one breed has an advantage.

One strategy to minimise BVD transmission is to make infected cattle less

infectious, and this can be achieved by increasing the antibody titer. Cattle
that have antibodies at the time that they acquire acute BVDV infection do not
shed as much virus, and they will shed virus for a shorter period of time.

On farm there it is important for producers to cull persistantly infected animals

from the herd. Blood tests will identify Housing calves in individual hutches as
opposed to group housing will decrease contact and risk of infection, as will
reducing stocking density.

Strategic vaccination and high-quality colostrum could also decrease the

proportion of susceptible cattle.

A BVD control programme on farm would aim to prevent fetal infections, to

eliminate reproductive loss and decrease losses due to transient infections.
Control is achieved with a combination of removal of PI cattle, vaccination and
enhanced biosecurity.
VACCINES AND TREATMENT
 Vaccines for BVD are available. The two
categories are modified live virus (MLV) vaccines
and killed virus (KV) vaccines. Generally
speaking, MLV vaccines require only one dose
during the initial immunization step, however
they are more difficult to handle.

KV vaccines are usually more expensive and more

than one dose is required during immunization.
However, KV vaccines are less susceptible to
deactivation by temperature extremes, and they
are less susceptible to deactivation by chemicals.
CALF PNEMONIA
 Calf pneumonia is a major problem in dairy and beef herds. It is
a multifactorial disease, and the most common post-mortem
diagnosis in calves between one to five months of age.

Infectious agents involved include Mannheimia haemolytica,

Haemophilus somnus, Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR),
bovine Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and Parainfluenza III
Virus (PI3), along with many other bacteria and mycoplasma
species and viruses.

Environmental factors include low environmental temperatures

and high humidity and poor ventilation and also direct draughts
onto calves themselves. The relationship between season and
outbreaks may also be related to management practices
including calving pattern and mixing of different ages of calves.

There are two types of the disease, acute and chronic.

SYMTOMS
 Dull and depressed
 High temperature
 Raised breathing due to lung damage
 Nasal discharge
 Coughing
 Reduced food intake
 Chronic pneumonia is more gradual in onset with no
distinct ill phase and the cow may appear to still eat well
but may have a slight nasal discharge, sometimes with an
increased respiratory rate and cough.

Both forms of the respiratory disease cause production

losses as there is a reduction in liveweight gain and there
may be deaths in the acute syndrome.
PREVENTIONS AND TREATMENT
 Dull and depressed
 High temperature
 Raised breathing due to lung damage
 Nasal discharge
 Coughing
 Reduced food intake
 Chronic pneumonia is more gradual in onset with no
distinct ill phase and the cow may appear to still eat well
but may have a slight nasal discharge, sometimes with an
increased respiratory rate and cough.

Both forms of the respiratory disease cause production

losses as there is a reduction in liveweight gain and there
may be deaths in the acute syndrome.
NEONATAL JAUNDICE
 Jaundice is a relatively common occurance in human
infants. As in adults, jaundice is due to elevated blood
concentrations of bilirubin (hyperbilirubinemia). There
are at least two significant processes that predispose
normal infants to jaundice:
 The rate of bilirubin production is higher in infants
than adults because their red blood cells have a
shorter half-life and turn over more rapidly.
 Infants have a relatively limited ability to conjugate
bilirubin, and conjugation in the liver is necessary for
efficient elimination.
 Additionally, there are a number of pathologic
conditions that can result in neonatal jaundice.
 . Examples include:
 Conditions that cause accelerated destruction of red cells,
which can occur as a result of immune-mediated hemolysis,
certain enzyme deficiencies, or structural abnormalities in
red cells.
 Increased intestinal absorption of bilirubin, which blunts
the infant's ability to eliminate this waste product. Infants
that fail to feed well are often deficient in the types of
intestinal bacteria that metabolize bilirubin, and in such
cases, significant amounts of bilirubin of reabsorbed into
blood.
 Genetic defects in hepatic uptake of bilirubin (e.g.
Gilbert's syndrome) or deficiency in the enzyme necessary
for conjugating bilirubin (uridine diphosphate
glucuronosyltransferase).
PREVENTIONS AND TREATMENT
 The standard treatment for neonatal jaundice is
phototherapy. Affected infants are placed under
lights, and photons are absorbed by bilirubin as it
circulates in skin capillaries. This energy transfer
results in conversion of bilirubin to lumirubin and
other products which, in contrast to bilirubin, are
more water-soluble and readily excreted. The rate of
bilirubin elimination depends upon both the
wavelength of light used and its dose. Blue light (460
to 490 nm) is the most effective, but such light causes
eye strain in those monitoring the baby, making it
difficult to detect other conditions such as cyanosis.
The most frequently used form of phototherapy is
standard fluorescent white light.
JAUNDICE IN CALF
JOINT ILL [ NAVAL ILL]
 Navel or joint ill is a disease of young calves,
usually less than one week of age. It occurs
as a result of infection entering via the
umbilical cord at, or soon after, birth. This
infection can result in a range of signs
depending on where the bacteria spread to
SYMTOMS
 Navel ill

If infection stays mostly confined to the navel, the primary

sign is a swollen, painful navel that does not dry up.B
An abscess may develop from which pus (often like a thick
custard) may burst,

The calf may have a high temperature and reduced appetite.

Joint ill

If infection spreads from the navel, or navel ill is not

treated, further signs will develop as bacteria spread via the
bloodstream and settle in other parts of the body.
 The commonest sites for bacteria to settle are the joints. This
leads to swollen stiff painful (often hot) joints.

Temperature will be raised while the bacteria spread but by

the time the disease is noted it may be normal.

Loss of appetite and depression is often seen.

Usually only a few calves in a batch are infected though

outbreaks can occur where hygiene is very poor.

Other sites where bacteria can settle include the eyes, around
the heart and the brain. Death is common in the latter cases.
In some calves infection spreads from the navel to the liver
causing a liver abscess. In this case problems may not be noted
until the calves are older.
TREATMENTS
 The commonest sites for bacteria to settle are the joints. This
leads to swollen stiff painful (often hot) joints.

Temperature will be raised while the bacteria spread but by

the time the disease is noted it may be normal.

Loss of appetite and depression is often seen.

Usually only a few calves in a batch are infected though

outbreaks can occur where hygiene is very poor.

Other sites where bacteria can settle include the eyes, around
the heart and the brain. Death is common in the latter cases.
In some calves infection spreads from the navel to the liver
causing a liver abscess. In this case problems may not be noted
until the calves are older.
PREVENTIONS
 Ensuring that the cow calves in a clean environment will significantly
reduce the risk of joint ill (and many other diseases such as toxic
mastitis and metritis). Proper planning and preparation can prevent
the build-up of disease that occurs in too many calving areas.

Applying a disinfectant (such as iodine) to the navel can reduce the

risk of bacteria entering via the navel, but it is no substitute for
good hygiene. No amount of disinfectant can overcome being born in
a dirty wet yard. Because of the anatomy, bulls navels tend to dry
slower than heifers and they are thus at more risk of navel ill.
Applying disinfectant two or three times to bulls can reduce the risk.

It is also important to ensure that if cattle are born in a nice clean

environment that they aren't moved to other pens or contaminated
pastures until the navel has dried completely.
JOINT ILL [NAVAL ILL]
CALF DIPTHERIA
 There are two forms of calf diphtheria. The
most common is an acute oral (mouth)
infection, usually seen in calves less than 3
months old. The second form is usually seen
in older calves and affects the larynx (or
voice-box), Both forms are caused by the
bacteria Fusobacterium necrophorum, which
also causes foul-in-the foot and liver
abscesses in older cattle.
CLINICAL SIGNS
 Oral form Initial presenting sign may just be
a swollen cheek
 Calf may be otherwise bright and active with
no temperature
 Examination of the inside of the mouth
shows a foul-smelling ulceration and swelling
of the cheek
 Temperature may be normal at the start
 If untreated more signs develop: High
temperature
 Coughing
 Loss of appetite and depression
 Difficulty breathing, chewing and swallowing
 Swollen pharyngeal region
 Deep ulcers on the tongue, palate, and inside
of cheeks
 Pneumonia
 Laryngeal form: Coughing : Moist and
painful
 High temperature
 Loss of appetite and depression
 Difficult breathing, chewing and swallowing
 Pneumonia
DIAGONOSIS
 The diagnosis of calf diphtheria is usually
based on the clinical signs.
 For one-off cases rule out other problems
such as BVD and foreign bodies by getting
your vet to do a thorough oral
 examination
 Bacteriology can be also useful.
 A post-mortem can confirm the ulcerative
nature of the disease, particularly in calves
with the laryngeal form
TREATMENTS
 Early prompt treatment is important as early
treatment is much more effective
 Separate the infected animals and isolate
them
 Antibiotics and pain killers are effective in
most cases
 The laryngeal form is much more resistant to
treatment. Get veterinary advice
PREVENTIONS
 Fusobacterium necrophorum is a normal inhabitant of
cattle intestines and the environment. Under
unhygienic conditions, infection may be spread on
feeding troughs and dirty milk buckets. Some of the
contributory factors for occurrence of this disease
include abrasions in the oral mucosa (such as those
from erupting molar teeth), poor nutrition and the
presence of other diseases present in young calves.

If animals are closely confined, the spread of this

infectious disease can be prevented by thoroughly
cleaning and disinfecting of all calf feeders. Young
calves must be examined daily to identify early
stages of the disease.
CALF SCOUR
 Calf scour is the most important disease problem in dairy
calves and causes more financial loss to the calf producer
than any other syndrome. Rotavirus is most common cause of
diarrhoea, with over 30% lab diagnoses being rotavirus. The
virus is present on nearly every farm so virtually all calves
are at risk, though the risk is highest on farms where other
agents, particularly E. coli, coronavirus and cryptosporidia,
are present. These agents often combine with rotavirus to
cause more severe diarrhoea than either would on their own.
Controlling rotavirus can thus significantly reduce your losses
due to calf scour even if you have other problems on farm.

There are two keys to preventing rotavirus and other scour

problems:- maximising hygiene, and making the most of
colostrum.
HYGIENE
 Good hygiene reduces the spread of disease
between calves. Ensure that bedding is clean
and dry, don’t mix different ages of calves,
remove sick calves to a sick pen as soon as
possible (and don’t return them to their old
group) and above all use an all-in, all-out
policy with disinfection between groups.
COLOSTRUM
 Colostrum is the key to immunity in the young calf.
Colostrum contains both antibodies which protect against
specific diseases, such as rotavirus, and non-specific
protective systems such as lactoferrins which prevent
bacterial growth. Ensuring that the calf receives sufficient
colostrum (at least two litres within six hours of birth) is vital
in the control of calf diarrhoea. It’s best if the calf gets its
colostrum by sucking its mother as this ensures that it
absorbs the maximum amount of antibodies. Bucket or bottle
feeding colostrum results in fewer antibodies being absorbed;
stomach tubing is even less efficient, so should only be used
as a last resort for calves too weak to suck. A second feed of
colostrum in the first 24 hours is also important in maximising
the value of the first feed, so if possible leave calves with
their mothers for at least 24 hours.
VACCINATION
 The level of antibodies in colostrum depends on what
the cow has been exposed to (and how long ago the
exposure was). Vaccinating pregnant cattle between
one and three months before calving will significantly
increase the amount of antibodies in colostrum. This
means that the colostrum produced by vaccinated cows
can have antibody levels high enough to protect the calf
from rotavirus for seven days if two litres of colostrum
are given within 12 hours of birth. However the best
value for vaccination is obtained when colostrum from
vaccinated cattle is fed to calves for at least two weeks
after birth (and preferably longer), so that the calf
continues to have high levels of protective antibodies in
the gut during the critical period.
CALF SCOURS
 Thank you