Introduction

• The perinatal period is the most hazardous in the life of all animals, with more than 60% of producers reporting that the majority of their calf mortality occurs at birth.
• Rapid identification and intervention of calves at risk of perinatal mortality is required to prevent subsequent losses.
• High risk calves can be identified in the following ways:
  • Before birth, by the predicted likelihood of suffering from dystocia.
  • During birth, by large forelimbs, swollen tongue, cyanosed muzzle and gums.
  • After birth by apnea or dyspnea, lateral recumbency, flaccid musculature and poor pedal and suck reflexes.

Management at birth

Navel management

Colostrum management

Birth management specific to farms with Johne's disease

Subsequent management

Animal identification and record keeping

Further Reading

Publications

Refereed Papers

• Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
• Guatteo R, Lesort C & Touzot-Jourde G (2023) Impact of meloxicam administration in cows prior to Caesarean section on the efficacy of passive immunity transfer in calves. Animals 13 (1), 37 PubMed.
• Hulbert L E & Moisa S J (2015) Stress, immunity and the management of calves. J Dairy Sci 99 (4), 3199–3216 PubMed.
• Robinson A L, Timms L L, Stalder K J & Tyler H D (2015) The effect of 4 antiseptic compounds on umbilical cord healing and infection rates in the first 24 hours in dairy calves from a commercial herd. J Dairy Sci 98 (8), 5726-5728 PubMed.
• Murray C F & Leslie K E (2013) Newborn calf vitality: Risk factors, characteristics, assessment, resulting outcomes and strategies for improvement. Vet J 198 (2), 322-328 PubMed.
• Lorenz I, Mee J F, Earley B & More S J (2011) Calf health from birth to weaning. I. General aspects of disease prevention. Irish Vet J 64 (1), 1-8 PubMed.
• Lorenz I, Earley B, Gilmore J, Hogan I, Kennedy E & More S J (2011) Calf health from birth to weaning. III. Housing and management of calf pneumonia. Irish Vet J 64 (1), 14 PubMed.
• Nagy D W (2009) Resuscitation and critical care of neonatal calves. Vet Clin Food Anim 25 (1), 1-11 PubMed.
• Godden S (2008) Colostrum Management for dairy calves. Vet Clin Food Anim 24 (1), 19-39 PubMed.
• Mee J F (2008) Newborn dairy calf management. Vet Clin Food Anim 24 (1), 1–17 PubMed.
• Stull C & Reynolds J (2008) Calf welfare. Vet Clin Food Anim 24 (1), 191-203 PubMed.

Other sources of information

• Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (2023) Cattle (AIM). Irish Bovine Animal Identification System - Overview. Website: www.gov.ie.
• Department of Agricultural, Fisheries and Food (2020) Farm Animal Welfare Advisory Council: Calf Welfare Guidelines. Website: www.fawac.ie (pdf download).
• DEFRA (2107) Guidance on Keeping Cattle, Bison and Buffalo in Great Britain (2017). Website: www.gov.uk.
• Constable P (2012) How to Prevent Calf Deaths after Correction of Dystocia - Beef and Dairy. In: Proc Australian Cattle Veterinarians Conferenc. pp 99-102.
• Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture (RUMA) Colostrum Is Gold. Website: colostrumisgold.org.
• The National Archives (online) Veterinary Surgeon’s Act 1966. Website: www.legislation.gov.uk.