The ABCs of keeping calves healthy

By Arden Wohlers DVM
Extension Veterinarian
University of Nebraska Panhandle Research and Education Center

A. Minimize Stress: Mainly winter/spring weather related

Cold: You have little control other then change to May calving.
Wind: Find best location for maternity paddocks. Develop shelter belts, wind breaks and locate protective land formations. Caution: Be wary of drifting snow.
Wet: Have areas of higher dry ground available. Have bedding available.

B. Minimize Disease Challenge: Sanitation is key

Keep feed grounds clean-move daily, have room for pairs to spread out.
Separate calves into age groups (no more then 7-10 day spread in age). Review Sandhills Calving System.
Avoid or limit use of calving corral

C. Improve Disease Resistance: Colostrum (Quality, Quantity, Timely)

This first milk is where the calf gets his disease protection. In the cow immunoglobulins do not cross the placenta.

Quality: Colostrum is made the last 7 weeks of gestation. The cow’s nutrition needs to be top notch at this time for adequate protein, energy, minerals and vitamins. The immunoglobulins in colostrum can be improved by properly vaccinating the cow for Rota virus, Corona virus, Clostridium perfringens C, and E. coli during this time.
Quantity: The newborn beef calf needs about a quart of colostrum. Colostrum may be frozen for emergency use, but thaw in warm water because it may be denatured by microwave. Commercial dried colostrum is available.
Timely: The calf can absorb the immunoglobulins best in the first 2 hours after birth; this ability is mostly gone by 12 hours. 10% of calves don’t get adequate colostrun under the best of conditions. Select sires for easy calving traits because after difficult deliveries the cow does not mother as well and the calf does not nurse as quick.

When ABC has Failed and Illness Occurs

Separate the sick calf from the healthy pairs.
Have a supply of oral fluids on hand; tomorrow may be too late.
Scours damages the gut so nutrients are not absorbed. Check dehydration by skin tenting or sunken eyes. It is critical to rehydrate immediately. Use oral fluids if the calf has a suckle reflex otherwise administer IV fluids.
Antibiotics are useful as the disease is often systemic or the calf has concurrent pneumonia.
Always process healthy calves before administering to sick calves. Change clothes and wash hands before going from sick calves to healthy calves or between treating different groups of calves.
Consult with your veterinarian on calving management, cow vaccinations and effective antibiotics.