Navel Healing and Calf Fitness for Transport (original) (raw)
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The effect of disbudding age on healing and pain sensitivity in dairy calves
Journal of Dairy Science, 2018
Hot-iron disbudding, a husbandry procedure performed in dairy calves in which horn bud growth is prevented through tissue cauterization, produces severe burns. Little is known about how long pain persists following disbudding or factors, such as age at the time of disbudding, that may influence animal welfare outcomes. Our objectives were (1) to evaluate whether disbudding age mediates healing, pain sensitivity, and weight gain in calves disbudded near birth (3 d) compared with at a later age (35 d); and (2) to examine how long wounds are sensitive during healing. Fortyeight calves were disbudded or sham-disbudded at 3 or 35 d of age (n = 12/treatment). We assessed pain sensitivity with a pressure algometer on d 3 and 7 after disbudding and then weekly thereafter until the wound had re-epithelialized. Sensitivity was measured at the lateral and caudal edges of each wound, as well as on the rump to test for systemic changes in sensory function. We evaluated healing by scoring the presence of 7 tissue types in the wound bed: attached necrotic tissue, detached necrotic tissue, burns outside the necrotic ring, exudate, granulation, crust, and epithelium. Tissue scores, surface temperature, and girth circumference as an estimate of weight gain were measured twice weekly until the wound had re-epithelialized. Disbudded tissue was more sensitive than nondisbudded tissue for at least 3 wk, after which time the sham calves were removed from the study to be disbudded. Wounds took 62 ± 10 d (mean ± SD) to re-epithelialize and were more painful than new epithelium throughout this time, regardless of whether the procedure occurred at 3 or 35 d of age. The surface temperature of disbudding wounds did not differ from that of non-disbudded tissue nor did disbudding affect weight gain at either age. Age at the time of disbudding did not affect latency to re-epithelialize or wound sensitivity. However, rump sensitivity was greater in calves disbudded at 3 versus 35 d of age on d 28, 42, and 56 after disbudding, in agreement with other studies showing increased pain sensitivity when painful procedures are performed at an early age. In conclusion, wounds remain painful throughout healing, raising animal welfare concerns about hot-iron disbudding. Performing the procedure near birth does not improve welfare outcomes; rather, some evidence suggests it may produce a generalized long-term increase in pain sensitivity.
Reduced calf mortality when the calf’s needs are leading : Pledge for a renewed view on calf rearing
2017
Over the past years calf mortality is gradually increasing in The Netherlands. This is not good for the calves in the first place, but secondly a problem for the dairy farmer as well as the whole sector (dairy and veal/beef). Most significant measures are well known but seemingly hard to implement. Due to the often high workload on dairy farms, other farm activities easily get priority over calf rearing. Lack of time and attention prevent a structural improvement of the rearing results. A renewed view on management and housing systems, and nutrition of young calves can be a stimulant in the quest for solving pathways meeting the care needs of the young calf and the optimal care offer of the dairy farmer. And let’s be honest, no farmer likes to see his calves die!
A Retrospective Study on the Surgical Affections of Young Calves
Surgical affections of 29 young calves were retrospectively reviewed. The affections were broadly classified into congenital malformation and acquired ones. Congenital malformations recorded atresia ani (6), atresia ani et recti (4), meningocele (1), pervious urachus (3), congenital preputial orifice stenosis (1), growth at umbilicus (2), knuckling (4), papilloma of tail (1), Imperforate urinary meatus (3), Ocular dermoid (1). Acquired abnormalities included mandibular fracture (3). Surgical treatment for such conditions was carried out after the differential diagnosis. The development of these congenital malformations, their effect on the animal life and the different surgical interventions were discussed.
Calf health from birth to weaning. I. General aspects of disease prevention
Irish Veterinary Journal, 2011
Calfhood diseases have a major impact on the economic viability of cattle operations. This is the first in a three part review series on calf health from birth to weaning, focusing on preventive measures. The review considers both pre-and periparturient management factors influencing calf health, colostrum management in beef and dairy calves and further nutrition and weaning in dairy calves.
Risk factors related to the appearance of umbilical disorders in dairy calves
Arquivo Brasileiro de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, 2021
The objective of this study was to determine the types of calve housing used in dairy farms, the prevalence of umbilical disorders and related risk factors. The 16 farms studied were visited to characterize the types of installation and possible risk factors, as well as information obtained from a questionnaire applied to the farmers. 806 Holstein calves were physically examined, in addition to collecting blood samples for the evaluation of Failures in Passive Immunity Transfer (FPIT), in animals that manifested inflammatory omphalopathies, and were also submitted to ultrasound examination. The prevalence of omphalopathies was assessed by Fisher's test, and multivariate logistic regression to assess risk factors. Eight types of installation were found: tropical house, suspended cage, collective stall, collective picket, Argentinean type, single-story cage, individual stall, and collective picket with chain. Omphalopathies accounted for 6.45% of the calves. Small size farms (up t...
Relic et al. COLOSTRUM MANAGEMENT IN CALVES' WELFARE RISK ASSESSMENT
Successful milk production is based on proper calf rearing, especially the youngest categories. However, the intensive production can result in oversights that can have very negative effects on the survival of calves and their further growth. In order to reduce mortality and to improve rearing conditions for calves, different welfare assessment systems have been offered. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has developed a risk analysis approach to analysis of calf welfare. In this paper, data on young calves' mortality, morbidity and elements regarding colostrum management risk assessment at three Serbian large dairy farms were considered. The study was carried out during one year and data were collected from the farm records and by survey of employees. According to the results, calves mortality in the first 7 days of life ranged from 1.57% to 3.79% at the year level, and the most frequent causes of death were enteritis and bronchopneumonia. Risk related to colostrum management in all three farms was present, and may affect the quantity and quality of colostrum that calves received were not adequate. As the major failures at most of the farms the follows can be highlighted: lack of monitoring of ingested colostrum quantity and assessment of colostrum quality with a colostrometer and lack of routine supply of adequate stocks of frozen colostrum. The results pointed on procedures of colostrum management in which changes should be made, in aim to improve health and welfare of calves and production results as well.
Journal of Dairy Research, 2014
Male dairy calves may be transported from their farm of origin at a young age. This process may involve an extended period off feed and indirect consignment through an intermediate facility, prompting potential welfare concerns. To assess the impact of transport, 59 male Holstein-Friesian dairy calves (5–9 d old) were either (1) held in situ on farm (control); (2) transported for 6 h; (3) transported for 12 h; or (4) transported for 1 h to a holding facility where they were kept for 6 h and then transported for 5 h. All treatments included a 30-h period of feed (milk) withdrawal, and calf responses were measured over time from before their last feed until the completion of the study after the transport and feed withdrawal periods. Apart from increases in serum creatine kinase in calves transported for 12 h, transported calves generally did not differ in blood concentrations of glucose, beta-hydroxybutyrate, lactate, total protein or in packed cell volume, compared with controls (P&g...
1999
This study examined the effects of transporting dairy calves (less than four weeks of age), on a journey of 170-mile-route to and from a mart in Spring 1996 and 1997, Calf performance, immunological and physiological variables were examined prior to and subsequent to transport. There was no effect of treatment on liveweight or intakes at any time throughout the experiment. Interferon production was reduced in all treatment groups on days 1, 2 and 5, compared to Day 0 in experiment 1, indicating that even the procedures imposed on the control (C) calves had been sufficient to cause suppression of this component of the immune response. Calves in all treatment groups in Experiment 1, had increased (P<0.05) cortisol concentrations at Day 0.5 (post-transport on Day 0) and experienced physiological changes related to food restriction, e.g., increased (P<0.05) plasma non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) on Day 0.5. Cortisol levels remained low on days 1, 2 and 5 after the journey and there was no obvious response in the levels of either plasma glucose or haematological parameters indicating that the calves did not show a stress response following transportation and/or mart experience. Transportation of 2 to 4 week old calves had no effect on plasma haptoglobin (acute phase response) levels indicating that the calves did not experience a stress response which would affect cell mediated immunity. The acute phase response is the reaction of the animal to disturbances in its homeostasis caused by infection, tissue injury, stress or immunological disorders. The absence of significant stressful responses in young dairy calves following transportation and mart experience could be interpreted as indicating that transport did not pose significant welfare problems.
Maternal-calf relationships and their influence on calves up to 120 days
Objectives. To research parental behavior and measure the weight of Nelore and Guzerat calves up to 120 days of age, collecting data from birth up to the first lactation. Materials and methods. Seven different corporal positions were considered to obtain specific data for each of the following categories: time to stand (TP), time to intend to feed after standing (TPTM), weight at birth (PN), weight at 120 days (P120), and time in contact with the calf (TCC). Additionally, independent variables were also evaluated, organized by class: weight at birth (CPN), number of calvings (CNP), order of calving in relation with the herd (CLPR), time of calving (CHP), and finally, hindering to feed (CTAT). Results. There was a significant result in favor of the Nelore race over the Guzerat race. The statistical averages for Nelore and Guzerat were: Time to stand averaged 71 and 153 minutes; time to intend to feed after standing, 39 minutes for Nelore and of 114 minutes for Guzerat. For variable weight at 120 days, Nelore reached an average of 122 kg, and Guzerat 109 kg. For the time in contact with the calf variable there was no significant variance between races. Conclusions. Results showed the superiority of the Nelore race, considering it better adapted to local environmental conditions.