As calving season goes on, calf pens and calf sheds will begin to fill up on farms across the country, and as houses get full, pneumonia can become an issue.
Pneumonia and calf scour remain the two biggest killers of young calves and as calf numbers increase on farms, often these illnesses can get out of hand.
Pneumonia is the inflammation of the lungs which can cause permanent damage and even death and in most scenarios, viral infection occurs first followed by bacterial infection.
The high risk periods occur after the grouping or mixing of calves, after weaning off milk or milk replacer, when calf pens become overcrowded and in changeable weather conditions.
According to Teagasc, approximately 3% of calves born die from pneumonia in the first 12 weeks of life, meaning management in the first few weeks is essential.
Pneumonia
The weather is relatively cold at this moment in time which is a help for keeping disease at bay, but if the weather turns mild, the risk of pneumonia increases drastically.
When calves are detected as sick, they should be treated and isolated on their own until recovery.
Vaccination against pneumonia is only part of the solution and providing good ventilation is a must and using antibiotics if necessary is crucial.
Antibiotics are ineffective against viral infections, but in cases where bacterial involvement is suspected, antibiotic treatment is required.
Factors leading to pneumonia include:
- Viruses;
- Bacteria;
- Poor colostrum intake;
- Poor hygiene in pens;
- Poor housing/ventilation;
- Presence of older animals;
- Over-crowding/stress;
- Presence of BVD virus;
- Poor nutritional status.
In rare cases, lungworm may be causing pneumonia in young calves, and these calves will not respond to antibiotic treatment.
Prevention
Appropriate calf housing with good ventilation, plenty of air, no draughts, and well-bedded dry lying area is crucial – make sure that effluent can get away from underneath calves.
The ‘knee test’ should be used to check bedding and replace it once it has become too damaged. This is done by placing your knee in the straw and if it is damp, the bedding needs to be changed.
If you are grouping calves, ensure to group them by age and size to make management and feeding easier. Grouping also helps to keep the group stable, while you should make sure they have at least 1.5m2 of lying space and an air space of 7m3/calf.
Early detection is crucial when it comes to pneumonia and calves should be closely monitored at each feeding for any signs of illness or stress.
Initial signs of pneumonia may include:
- Reduced feed intake;
- Being ‘off form’;
- Dullness, dropping ears;
- Hollow sides;
- Fever of over 39.5℃;
- Cough;
- Increased respiratory rate (later sign);
- Watery discharge from nose and eyes (later sign).
By the time the later signs are visible, the disease is advanced. Where there are only one or two calves showing obvious signs of pneumonia, there is a likelihood that a few more in the group are in the early stages of infection.
Calves need good quality colostrum after birth and should continue to receive that colostrum/transition milk for four to five days after birth to make sure they receive adequate amounts of immunoglobulins to build up their immunity.
