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JANUARY 2022

THE CALF HEALTH ISSUE

• Fetal Well-Being • Neonatal Enteritis • Parturition • Group Housing

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 HEALTH. BUSINESS. WELL-BEING.
JANUARY 2022
Contents Vol. 8, No. 1

CONTENT
Editor & Content Projects Manager: Rhonda Brooks THE CALF HEALTH ISSUE
Contributing Editors: Karen Bohnert, Greg Henderson,
Taylor Leach, Jennifer Shike
Content Manager, Producer Media: Katie Humphreys
Design Director: Alison Fulton
Proofreader: Megan LaManna

ADMINISTRATION
Chief Executive Officer: Andy Weber
President: Charlene Finck
Chief Customer Officer: Ned Bardic
Chief Operating Officer: Jeff Pence
Chief Financial Officer: Joe Matthews
Chief Strategy Officer: Mitch Rouda
Chief Creative Officer: Craig Heimbuch
Executive Vice President, Crops: Christine Shaw
Executive Vice President,

8
Enterprise Solutions: Brian Conrady
Executive Vice President, Produce: Matt Morgan
Executive Vice President, Trust In Food: Amy Skoczlas Cole
Senior Vice President, Publishing Director,
Livestock: Cliff Becker STRONG START
Senior Vice President, Revenue Development: Doug Edge
Vice President, Digital Solutions: Joel Hughes
Vice President, Data Solutions: Bobby Vo
Vice President, Audience Development: Donna Hansen
Vice President, Human Resources and
Talent Development: Jennifer Perkins
Director, Business Development: Dustin Johansen
4 18
EDITOR’S NOTE NUTRITION TO THRIVE
SALES Calves, calves and more calves. Late-gestation requirements can have a
Annie McCullough, FJMLivestock@farmjournal.com lifetime of impact.
Leah Mindemann, FJMLivestock@bock-assoc.com
Peter Rupert, FJMLivestock@bock-assoc.com
Nicole Starr, FJMLivestock@farmjournal.com
12 20
NEONATAL ENTERITIS
Advertising Production A new look at how to assess and address RISKS AND REWARDS
Production Manager: Jennifer Irvine an old problem. Six ways to help preweaned dairy calves
Advertising Manager: Dena Lawhead succeed in group housing.
Operations Manager, Livestock: Ramona Rei

HOW TO REACH US 14 25
Reader Comments: Email the author listed at the end of the story or THREE STAGES OF PARTURITION
write to 8725 Rosehill Rd., Suite 200, Lenexa, KS 66215 Physiology can guide decisions on when MORE LIVE BIRTHS
to offer assistance. Rest for cows results in fewer stillbirths.
Subscription Changes:
(800) 331-9310, customerservice@farmjournal.com
Farm Journal, Attn: Customer Service
820 James Street, Webster City, IA 50595 16 26
WHEN THE MERCURY DROPS POWER OF NEW BLOOD
Seven ways to make sure every calf gets a Part 2: Challenge biases to make better
warm meal. judgment calls.

COVER PHOTO: TAYLOR LEACH

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EDITOR’S NOTE BRIEFS

Calves,
Rhonda Brooks

calves, calves
PHOTO: MCKAYLA MASS

is the editor of
Bovine Veterinarian. GIVE A BIG SQUEEZE
Contact her at: Calves that have incurred
’m always on the hunt for information to pass
editors@
farmjournal.com
I along that can help you in your business, and this
month is no different.
traumatic births are often
lethargic, clumsy and have
little interest in nursing. These
facebook.com/ In preparation
babies may benefit from a
BovineVeterinarian for this edition of
simple procedure called the
Bovine Veteri-
“Madigan Squeeze Technique.”
@BovineVet narian, I looked
at data from the
past 12 months
on the kinds of
stories you read.
Six of the top-10 READ MORE
reads in 2021 had PHOTO: ISTOCK
to do with — you
In probably guessed it — calves.
We want to deliver on what you want to read about.
preparation It’s the main reason we decided to offer you an edition
for this of the magazine that’s chock full of information on calf
edition health — from the well-being and viability of babies in
utero to the nutritional needs of newborns and young
of Bovine stock, along with many other topics in between.
Veterinarian, In addition to the full-length articles, be sure to
I looked at check out the stories summarized here. You can read
each of these briefs in their entirety online by scanning
data from the QR codes.
PHOTO: ISTOCK
the past 12
months on As 2022 gets underway, keep me in mind if there are
topics you want to read about. Please drop me a note
the kinds anytime with ideas and recommendations. I value your KNOW THE VITAL SIGNS
of stories feedback. Calves often perk up when you near
you read. Happy New Year! BV the pen, even though they are sick.
Because cattle are a prey species,
they do their best to not appear ill or
vulnerable, even if they
RHONDA BROOKS, EDITOR are not feeling well.

READ MORE

4 | JANUARY 2022 BovineVetOnline.com

 Read What You Might Have Missed at BovineVetOnline.com. Scan the QR Codes Below.
PHOTO: SARAH BLASCZYNZKI
PHOTO: FARM JOURNAL
4 CONSIDERATIONS
FOR HERNIA REPAIR
Hernias in young calves can
often be addressed surgi-
cally in the field. But before
taking that step, evaluate
whether the case you face
is one you
can correct
with lasting
READ MORE
success.
PHOTO: OSU
REMOVE THE GUESSWORK ABOUT BLOAT
Veterinarians don’t usually see ruminal bloat in young calves, due to minimal
ruminal development before about 5 weeks of age. Here’s how to confirm
what you believe is going on.
READ MORE
PHOTO: MAUREEN HANSON
PHOTO: MAUREEN HANSON ESOPHAGEAL TUBE
7 TIPS TO AVOID FEEDER CAN BE A
POSTWEANING SLUMP LIFELINE
Preweaned calves require a Colostrum, milk and electrolytes
lot of attention, labor and focus, all can be vital to calf survival, and
and rightfully so. But if their they might need to be delivered
transition to weaning goes awry, via an esophageal tube feeder
so, too, can their health if calves are unable to
and productivity. suckle a bottle.
READ MORE
READ MORE
MOST PASSIVE IMMUNITY OCCURS
IN THE FIRST SIX HOURS
Resistance to disease is greatly dependent on antibodies or
immunoglobulins and can be either active or passive in origin.
In active immunity, the body produces antibodies in response
to infection or vaccination. Passive immunity gives temporary
protection through the transfer of certain immune substances
from resistant individuals.
READ MORE
BovineVetOnline.com JANUARY 2022 | 5
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ANIMAL HEALTH

Strong Start
A healthy calf begins with fetal viability and well-being
BY RHONDA BROOKS

8 | JANUARY 2022 BovineVetOnline.com

 T he key to most beef and dairy
producers’ profitability is a
healthy, high-quality calf crop. So,
FIGURE 1
when an embryonic or fetal calf Feto-Placental Unit Assessment
death occurs, it’s discouraging at Rectal or vaginal exam
best for your clients and a significant
financial loss at worst. Ultrasound
“The losses can be associated with - HR, movement, standard measurements
not only fetal death, but a prolonged Protein assay
open period, especially with early
- Pregnancy association glycoproteins (PAGs)
embryonic death, delayed peak
lactation if we’re talking about dairy Hormone assay
cattle, and of course, increased cull- Invasive methods
ing rate,” says Andrea S. Lear DVM, - Amniocentesis
MS, DACVIM (Large Animal), assis-
tant professor, large animal clinical
sciences, University of Tennessee. Source: University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine

The potential impact of those

factors drives home the value of
veterinarians being able to assess
fetal viability and well-being to
increase the possibility of having a
productive, healthy baby born at the
end of gestation. Lear defines fetal
viability and well-being as a combi-
nation of two things.
“It’s taking into account how the
baby is doing at any point in gesta-
tion,” she says. “Second, it’s deter-
mining what the likelihood is that
the baby is going to survive outside
the uterus, once it’s on the ground.”1
A 2020 meta-analysis published
in Animal Reproduction Science
indicates the levels of mortality
found on dairy and beef farms. It
says overall late embryonic and fetal
mortality (LEF) in U.S. beef cattle
is 5.8%, according to researchers at
Texas A&M University.2
PHOTO: TAYLOR LEACH; ILLUSTRATIONS: ISTOCK
Cameron Knight, veterinary
pathologist at the University of
Calgary, believes the standard of
acceptable, herdwide fetal calf loss
on North American dairy operations
is much lower, about 1%. Producers
should be concerned if that percent-
age climbs to 4%, he says.3
WHO’S AT RISK? As a rule of
thumb, Lear says the animals you
want to evaluate or monitor for fetal
viability and well-being are any
pregnant animal that has experi-
enced any sort of stress.
“That could be stress associated
with transport movement or disease,
if that animal is suffering from a
system illness or some viral infec-
tion,” she says.
any animals at risk of abnormal off-off-
spring syndrome, including somatic
cell nuclear transfers (clones) or in
vitro produced embryos.
“These animals are genetically
more valuable in theory,” she says.
“More money and time were spent
to create these embryos and implant
them into an appropriate recipient,
but they’re also more likely to suffer
from challenges, especially in late
gestation and in the neonatal phase.
So, these are the patients that are
the maternal and fetal patients that
we would probably be assessing.”
There are numerous practices vet-
erinarians use to assess the well-being
of the feto-placental unit (Figure 1).
They vary significantly in how useful
they are in practice, Lear says.

That is significantly less than In addition, Lear says consider

what occurs in dairy cattle. “In most
reports, there is an estimation of "Fetal well-being and viability are a
late embryonic mortality of lac-
tating dairy cows of between 10%
combination of two things: how the baby is
and 20%, although in some studies doing at any point in gestation, and what the
results indicate there is about a 7% likelihood is that the baby is going to survive
late embryonic loss in dairy,” the
researchers wrote.
outside the uterus, once it's on the ground."

BovineVetOnline.com JANUARY 2022 | 9

ANIMAL HEALTH
A POOR INDICATOR
Measuring circulating maternal
hormones is a relatively poor
indicator of how the fetus is doing
but can give you an idea of whether
the placenta is doing its job, accord-
ing to Lear.
“The first thing we can monitor
is progesterone, being that’s the
pregnancy hormone or the hor-
mone required for maintenance of
pregnancy,” she says. “You know,
we expect at least in cattle for the
placenta to eventually take over the
massive production of progester-
one after middle to late gestation.
However, the hormone assay doesn’t
typically tell you whether there is
some fetal compromise present.”
SIMPLE YET EFFECTIVE
Rectal and vaginal examination is a
simple method to quickly assess the
developing fetus, Lear says.
Via rectal examination, fetal
movement is easily detectable in
later gestation. Upon vaginal exam,
the external os of the cervix should
be closed until the last weeks of
FIGURE 2
Ultrasonography
Expected gestational length
Fetal fluids – anechoic
• Appropriate volume
• Hydrops conditions
Placentome appearance
• Compensation
Fetal heart rate
• Bradycardia
Source: University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine
10 | JANUARY 2022 BovineVetOnline.com
"We shouldn't see periods of no movement
by the calf for more than 10 minutes,
unless it's right at the end of gestation
and just waiting to come out."
gestation. Any dilation could indi-
cate impending fetal expulsion.
“Fetal ultrasounds or trans rectal
or trans abdominal ultrasonography
is something that you can apply today
in the field,” Lear says. (Figure 2)
An objective measurement of fetal
well-being includes fetal heart rate.
“Continuous or multiple measure-
ments, allowing creation of a mean
heart rate is best as fetal heart rate
variability is expected during phases
of movement and sleep by the
conceptus,” Lear explains. “This
should also be taken into account
when assessing fetal movements.
Overall, bradycardia is most cor-
related with poor fetal well-being
and fetal loss.” (Figure 3.)
Fetal heart rate variability
Fetal movements
Some parameters used in
individual species:
• Placenta
• Fetal kidney architecture
• Fetal intestinal peristalsis
Lear says to do the measure-
ments when the cow’s locked up and
relatively calm, because the fetal
heart rate will be altered based on
maternal heart rates.
“There is not a lot of literature
providing insights on gestation
between three to five months,” she
says. “But we do have a fair bit of
information on the first couple
months of gestation, and then a fair
bit between six and nine months of
gestation in cattle.”
As parturition gets closer, you
can expect to see a decrease in fetal
heart rate. Be concerned if that rate
is too low or too high.
“At 130 to 140 death has been
associated with neonatal death at
parturition,” she says.
You can expect to see some
complex movements at the end of
gestation, and occasionally, you will
see periods of rest.
“But we shouldn’t see periods of
no movement for over 10 minutes,
unless they’re right at the end of ges-
tation, when those animals are really
quite developed and just waiting to
come out,” she says.
Along with fetal heart rates, there
are advanced measurements you can
use to assess fetal well-being and
viability ((Figure 4).
PAGS OFFER PROMISE
Pregnancy associated glycoproteins
(PAGs) are produced by the binu-
cleate cells of the ruminant placenta
 FIGURE 3
Common FWB Parameters
and can be used to diagnose preg-
nancy. > Fetal Heart Rate and > Fetal Movements
A 2019 study published in FHR Variability • Correlate to FHR
Theriogenology says, “Increased • +/- 15 BPM • Complex movements in
circulating concentrations of PAG • Serial vs. continuous late gestation
early in gestation have been cor- monitoring
related with pregnancy success and • Periods of no movement
decreased concentrations are predic- for >10 minutes
tive of impending embryonic mortal-
Month of Fetal Heart Rate
Gestation at Rest • 24 hours prior to parturition
ity in both beef and dairy cattle.”4
Lear says research shows 1 130
PAGs are much more elevated in 2 190
clone calves and in cows carrying 3 -
clone calves compared to normal,
4 -
non-cloned calves.
“And that kind of makes sense, 5 -
right? We’ve all dealt with clone 6 143
calves in the past where we can 7 135
kind of see this adventitious 8 115
placenta, where these placentomes
9 110
get really big and really wonky and,
even the baby itself can be quite
large,” she says. “It kind of makes
Source: University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine
sense if the placenta is so much big-
ger and maybe a little more adven-
titious that their PAG concentration
would correlate or be associated
with those masses.” FIGURE 4
Lear says she expects more
research to be done with PAGs and Advanced Measurements
that they will offer an increasingly Fetal Well-Being
viable assessment of fetal well-being
in the future. BV
Maximal fluid depth • Mean, max, HxWxL
Cervical thickness Fatal breathing movements
Umbilical cord diameter • Diaphragm in relation
REFERENCES
1 Lear, Andrea. Determination of Fetal Placentome measurements to fetal ribs
Viability. American Association of Bovine
Practitioners Proceedings of the Annual Con-
ference. 2020. Fetal Viability
2 S.T. Reese, G.A. Franco, R.K. Poole, R.
Hood, L. Fernadez Montero, R.V. Oliveira Placentome measurements Crown-rump length
Filho, R.F. Cooke, K.G. Pohler. Pregnancy loss
in beef cattle: A meta-analysis. Animal Repro- Biparietal diameter of long bones Fetal eye diameter
duction Science. 2020. Volume 212; 106251.
3Knight, Cameron. 6 Steps to help You Length of long bones Mean fetal aortic diameter
Assess Fetal Calf Loss. Bovine Veterinarian.
Published online. 2021, Nov. 22. Gonad size • Fetal birth weight
4S.T. Reese, T.W. Geary, G.A. Franco,
J.G.N. Moraes, T.E. Spencer, K.G. Pohler. Abdomen size • IUGR
Pregnancy associated glycoproteins (PAGs)
and pregnancy loss in high vs. sub fertility
heifers. Theriogenology 2019.05.26. Epub Source: University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine
2019, May 31.

BovineVetOnline.com JANUARY 2022 | 11

RECENT GRADUATES
Fresh Perspective
Categorize neonatal calf enteritis to address it more effectively
BY RHONDA BROOKS
M illions of dollars have been
invested in product research
and development in the past decade
to address neonatal enteritis. Even
so, it remains the most common
cause of illness and death in beef
and dairy calves between 2 days and
30 days of age.
While veterinarians and cattle
producers tend to lump infectious
enteritis into a single group of prob-
lems, Franklyn Garry, DVM, College
of Veterinary Medicine, Colorado
State University, takes and advises a
different approach.1
He characterizes calf enteritis
based on two different groups of
pathophysiologic conditions:
• Group 1 includes viral patho-
gens, rotavirus and coronavirus
and the protozoal agent Crypto-
sporidium parvum. Garry says these
are non-invasive, cause diarrhea with
associated fluid and electrolyte losses
that respond well to fluid therapy.
They are not effectively addressed by
antibiotic treatment.
• Group 2 includes bacterial
enteric pathogens that cause dif-
ferent pathophysiologic changes
including significant inflammatory
response and invasion beyond the
intestinal lining. The most com-
mon of these is Salmonella spp. and
enteropathogenic E. coli. Garry also
includes clostridial enteritis in this
group. Antibiotic use has a valuable
role with this group.
12 | JANUARY 2022
“Of course, there are exceptions
to any rule of thumb, but I have
consistently found that categorizing
calf enteritis problems like this (see
Figure 1) is helpful for establishing
prognosis, guiding therapy and
developing preventive measures,”
he says.
THE ROLE OF FLUID THERAPY
For Group 1 pathogens, Garry says
fluid therapy is the key to successful
treatment of calf scours.
“To correct these scours, the oral
fluids you administer need to have
the right composition of electro-
lytes, glucose or glycine to promote
electrolyte and fluid absorption, and
an appropriate concentration of an
alkalinizing agent,” he says.
Be proactive in getting fluids to
the calf, adds Corale Dorn, DVM,
Dells Veterinary Services, PC, Dell
Rapids, S.D. “Scours can happen
quickly, and calves can die really
fast, so you don’t want to wait on lab
results,” she says. “Diagnostics are
important, but (in the moment) take
care of what’s right in front of you.”
Even severely affected calves are
often saved if given IV replacement
fluids early enough, but too often
beef and dairy producers commonly
default to using oral antibiotics for
Group 1 pathogens. This strategy is
counterproductive and can cause
harm — something producers need
to be educated on from veterinari-
ans, Garry says.
In some scenarios, veterinar-
ians might find it difficult to use
fluid therapy of any kind. In that
BovineVetOnline.com
situation,
Andrea Lear
recommends
practitioners
consider using
an IV bolus of Franklyn Garry
100 milligrams
per kilogram of dextrose along
with hypertonic bicarbonate bolus at
one time.
“That gets some energy into them
and resuscitates them, and then you
can switch them over to oral resus-
citation,” says Lear, DVM, Large
Animal Clinical Sciences, University
of Tennessee.
A SEVERE DISEASE THREAT
Group 2 pathogens have toxic and
invasive capabilities and can pro-
duce inflammatory responses.
Garry says the calf’s intestinal
tract will be affected. Feces will be
abnormal, but usually not in the
high-volume, fluid amount as with
classic calf scours.
Instead, affected calves might
have blood and protein in their feces
or develop ileus and abdominal
filling with minimal feces.
“Affected calves may die acutely
without preceding signs of diar-
rhea,” Garry says. “Calves commonly
show multisystemic signs such as
pneumonia, meningitis, renal dis-
ease and septic arthritis.”
With disease from Group 2 patho-
gens, Garry recommends parenteral
antibiotics, especially if there is
vascular damage present.
“Some anecdotal evidence
suggests that off-label oral use of
 Figure 1: Causes of Neonatal Enteritis in Cattle
E. Coli Clostridial
Crypto Rotavirus Corona Salmonella (not K99) Enteritis Coccidiosis
Age of Onset 7-14 days 7-14 days 7-14 days 3-21 days 3-21 days 3-21 days 21+ days

Clinical dehydration, dehydration, dehydration, stools are off, stools are off, stools are off, mildly
Signs diarrhea 3-6 severe severe bloodshot bloodshot bloated abdomen, depressed,
days, acidosis diarrhea diarrhea eyes, mentally eyes, bloodshot black/tarry stool
1-3 days, 1-3 days, depressed,+/- mentally eyes, mentally on the rump,
acidosis acidosis dehydrated, depressed, depressed,+/- often more
calves “drool +/- dehydrated dehydrated than
and cry” dehydrated appear
“Best” fluids, fluids fluids judicious judicious penicillin PO coccidiostat
Treatment injectable IV fluids, IV fluids, NPO
vitamins? parenteral parenteral
antibiotics antibiotics
In-house acid fast fecal fecal fecal bacterial fecal fecal bacterial fecal float
test stain, fecal antigen, antigen, culture/blood bacterial culture/toxin ID
(not an antigen, ELISA ELISA culture culture/blood
endorsement)
ELISA culture
Prognosis good good good poor poor guarded good
Sources: Franklyn Garry, DVM, Colorado State University; Corale Dorn, DVM, Dells Veterinary Services, PC, Dell Rapids, S.D.

penicillin for clostridial enteritis, or TMP-sulfa for salmo-
nellosis may help, but I have not seen any published trials
confirming the efficacy of these treatments,” he adds.
Regardless of the treatment method, Garry says the
prognosis for calves affected by Group 2 pathogens, par-
exposure to contagious older calves are so successful.” BV
REFERENCES
1 Garry Franklyn. Differentiating causes of neonatal calf enteritis to
enhance management and prevention. AABP Annual Conference Pro-
ceedings. Vol. 53, No. 2, September 2020.

ticularly those with septicemia, is guarded to poor.

MANAGEMENT TO MINIMIZE PATHOGEN SPREAD

On the farm, infectious disease outbreaks are a function
of the level of resistance versus level of challenge.
“We see outbreaks of disease when resistance is low or HBS can cost
challenge is high, or both,” Garry says.
Factors such as good adaptation to extra-uterine life,
over $2,000/cow 1

maternal care, nutrition, dryness and warmth and good

colostrum consumption, especially, can help neonatal
calves resist disease. Crowding, exposure to shedding
Give your herd a fighting chance
animals and hygiene are also important considerations. with OmniGen® nutritional specialty products
“Colostral transfer of immunoglobulin is particularly for immune support in the face of sudden threats like
important for preventing severe disease,” Garry says. Hemorrhagic Bowel Syndrome (HBS). With only 38%
“Since these bacterial problems involve toxins and bac- of all operations knowing how to properly identify
terian invasion, circulating IgG can be quite effective in HBS,2 our team of dairy advisors is on deck to help
limiting disease severity and occurrence of bacteremia or you understand and identify the threat.
toxemia, such as clostridial exotoxin movement.”
Conversely, for calf scours manifested by viral/pro-
tozoal enteritis, colostrum acquisition and IgG transfer
have a much more limited effect.
“While vaccination is important, good management prac- Get the
Facts
tices that emphasize decreased dystocia, improved nutri-
tion and protection from environmental pressures become
Talk With a Phibro Expert
more critical,” he adds. “These are reasons the Sandhills 800.677.4623 | pahc.com
calving method and similar strategies to decrease calf 1. https://www.wisfarmer.com/story/news/2021/01/26/successful-heifer-management-should-they-grow-do-they-go/4269734001/
2. USDA, 2014. Dairy 2014 Health and Management Practices on U.S. Dairy Operations. NAHMS-2014.

OG920721GLB ©2021 Phibro Animal Health Corporation. Phibro, Phibro logo design, Healthy Animals. Healthy Food. Healthy

BovineVetOnline.com JANUARY 2022 | 13 World. and OmniGen are trademarks owned by or licensed to Phibro Animal Health Corporation or its affiliates.
RECENT GRADUATES
Three Stages of Parturition
Physiology can guide decisions on whether and when to provide calving assistance
BY GLENN SELK
A new year is approach-
ing and, with it, spring
calving season. Many
beef herds will begin
calving around the first
of February, if not before.
The more we understand
about the physiology of
parturition, the more
likely we will make sound
decisions about providing
assistance. Parturition is
generally considered to
occur in three stages.
14 | JANUARY 2022
STAGE 1:
The first stage is dilation of the cervix. It is tightly closed right up until the cervical
plug is completely dissolved. Cervical dilation begins two hours to 24 hours before
the completion of parturition (two hours to six hours is most common).
During this time the progesterone block is no longer present, and the uterine
muscles are becoming more sensitive to all factors that increase the rate and strength
of contractions. Stage 1 is likely to go completely unnoticed, but there might be some
behavioral differences such as isolation or discomfort.
At the end of stage 1, there might be some behavioral changes such as elevation
of the tail, switching of the tail and increased mucous discharge. Relaxation of the
pelvic ligaments near the pin bones might become visually evident, giving a sunken
appearance on each side of the tail head. Checking for complete cervical dilation is
important before forced extraction of the calf is attempted.
BovineVetOnline.com
 STAGE 2: STAGE 3:
The second stage is defined as the delivery of the newborn. This stage The third stage of parturition is
begins with the entrance of the membranes and fetus into the pelvic canal the shedding of the placenta or
and ends with the completed birth of the calf. So the second stage is the one fetal membranes. In cattle, this
in which we are really interested. This is where we find all the action. normally occurs in less than eight
Clinically, and from a practical aspect, we would define the beginning to 12 hours. The membranes are
of stage 2 as the appearance of membranes or water bag at the vulva. The considered retained if after 12
traditional fact sheets and other publications often state that stage 2 lasts hours they have not been shed.
from two hours to five hours. Data from Oklahoma State University and Years ago, it was considered
the USDA experiment station at Miles City, Mont., would indicate stage 2 necessary to remove the mem-
is much shorter. In these studies, assistance was given if stage 2 progressed branes by manually “unbuttoning”
more than two hours after the appearance of water bag at the vulva. The the attachments. Research has
interesting thing about the data was the heifers calving unassisted, did so shown manual removal can be
in about one hour after the initiation of stage 2, and mature cows calved detrimental to uterine health and
within an average of 22 minutes of the initiation of stage 2. Those that took future conception rates. Adminis-
longer needed assistance. tration of antibiotics will usually
This and other data would indicate normal stage 2 of parturition would guard against infection, and the
be redefined as approximately 60 minutes for heifers and 30 minutes for placenta will slough out in four to
adult cows. In heifers, not only is the pelvic opening smaller, but also the seven days. BV
soft tissue has never been expanded. Older cows have had deliveries before
PHOTO: ISTOCK

and birth should go quite rapidly unless there is some abnormality such as a
very large calf, backward calf, leg back or twins. If the cow or heifer is mak- Dr. Selk is an emeritus
ing good progress with each strain, allow her to continue on her own. Extension animal scientist with
Oklahoma State University.

Fresh thinking on fresh cow

feed intake and recovery.
Optimal fresh cow recovery
means getting them back on feed
quickly and replenishing nutrients lost during
freshening*. YMCP Vitall® has live yeast to promote
feed intake, magnesium, potassium and more—
including rapidly-absorbable calcium.

*M. Al-Qaisi et al., Res. Vet. Sci., 129 (2020), pp. 74-81

877-466-6455 • TechMixGlobal.com
@techmixglobal
ANIMAL HEALTH
When the Mercury Drops
Here are seven tips to help every calf get a warm meal
BY MAUREEN HANSON
W intry weather demands extra
attention for preweaned calves,
and that includes the temperature of
their liquid feedings.
The ideal feeding temperature
for liquid rations is 100°F to 105°F,
according to Ann Hoskins, calf
products coordinator for Vita Plus.
Hoskins stresses the importance of
this warmth to help calves maintain
body temperature and conserve
energy in cold temperatures.
“If calves are fed rations lower than
their own body temperature, they
must expend energy to regulate it,
which comes at the expense of gain
and immune function,” she says.
16 | JANUARY 2022
Feeding liquids below body tem-
perature can also increase calves’
susceptibility to abomasal bloat.
A series of touch points in liquid
feed preparation require attention
to ensure the regular routines of
preparing liquid rations are adjusted
to compensate for frigid condi-
tions. Cold storage is excellent for
preserving powdered milk-replacer
stability; however, according to
the experts at Grober Nutrition,
milk replacer that is subject to
rapid temperature changes (cold
to warm and vice-versa) will cause
condensation that can interfere with
proper mixing and formulation of
the final solution.
Hoskins advises planning ahead
BovineVetOnline.com
by moving milk replacer from cold
storage to room temperature one or
two days prior to use.
“If adding cold powder to water,
you will need to adjust water tem-
perature for mixing,” she notes.
Cold pails and other feeding uten-
sils also can drop the temperature of
the final solution. And as prepared
liquid feed is transported outdoors
to the calves, freezing conditions
can drop its temperature quickly.
Hoskins suggests periodic checks
of the temperature of milk being
delivered to the first, middle and
last calf in a feeding group to ensure
consistent temperatures.
She offers seven tips to prevent
temperature loss after liquid feed-
ings are prepared:
1. Use an insulated
tank to store prepared milk
for transport.
2. Wrap the tank or bottles in
an insulated sleeping bag.
3. Use spray foam to coat the
tank to help hold the heat.
4. Prepare multiple
batches of milk and feed in
smaller groups to limit outdoor
exposure time.
5. Use lids on pails to
retain heat.
6. A warm water bath also is
an option, but it can create wet
and uncomfortable conditions
for calf feeders.
7. Feed from the youngest
calves to oldest, to ensure the
PHOTO: ISTOCK
youngest animals receive the
warmest milk. BV
When you spot bovine respiratory disease
(BRD), reach for the fast that lasts.
Reaching peak plasma levels in 45 minutes, ZUPREVO gets to work
rapidly. Its unique chemical structure results in swift accumulation in
the lungs and keeps working for 28 days in lung tissue.1
With ZUPREVO, you can give clients the therapy they need to
win the race against BRD. Fast-acting, long-lasting solutions are
another way Merck Animal Health Works for you and your clients.

See the full prescribing information at fastthatlasts.com.

1
Menge M, et al,. Pharmacokinetics of tildipirosin in bovine plasma, lung tissue, and bronchial fluid (from live, non-anesthetized cattle).
J Vet Pharmacol Ther. 2012;35(6):550-559. The correlation between pharmacokinetic data and clinical relevance is unknown.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION: FOR USE IN ANIMALS ONLY. NOT FOR HUMAN USE. KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN. TO AVOID
ACCIDENTAL INJECTION, DO NOT USE IN AUTOMATICALLY POWERED SYRINGES WHICH HAVE NO ADDITIONAL PROTECTION SYSTEM.
IN CASE OF HUMAN INJECTION, SEEK MEDICAL ADVICE IMMEDIATELY AND SHOW THE PACKAGE INSERT OR LABEL TO THE PHYSICIAN.
RESIDUE WARNING: Cattle intended for human consumption must not be slaughtered within 21 days of the last treatment. Do not use
in female dairy cattle 20 months of age or older. Use of this drug product in these cattle may cause milk residue. A withdrawal period
has not been established in pre-ruminating calves. Do not use in calves to be processed for veal. The effects of Zuprevo® 18% on bovine
reproductive performance, pregnancy and lactation have not been determined. Swelling and inflammation, which may be severe, may be
seen at the injection site after administration. Subcutaneous injection may result in local tissue reactions which persist beyond slaughter
withdrawal period. This may result in trim loss of edible tissue at slaughter. DO NOT USE ZUPREVO® 18% IN SWINE. FATAL ADVERSE EVENTS
HAVE BEEN REPORTED FOLLOWING THE USE OF TILDIPIROSIN IN SWINE. NOT FOR USE IN CHICKENS OR TURKEYS.

MAHCattle.com • 800-521-5767
©2020 Intervet Inc., doing business as Merck Animal Health, a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc.
All rights reserved. US-ZUP-191100001
PRODUCT INFORMATION
NADA 141-334, Approved by FDA.
NUTRITION
18%

Nutrition
Injectable Solution for Cattle

ANTIMICROBIAL DRUG
180 mg of tildipirosin/mL For subcutaneous

to Thrive
injection in beef and non-lactating dairy cattle
only.
Not for use in female dairy cattle 20
months of age or older or in calves to be
processed for veal.
CAUTION: Federal (USA) law restricts this
drug to use by or on the order of a licensed
veterinarian.
BRIEF SUMMARY: for full prescribing Late-gestation requirements can have
a lifetime of impact
information use package insert.
INDICATIONS: Zuprevo® 18% is indicated for
the treatment of bovine respiratory disease
(BRD) associated with Mannheimia
haemolytica, Pasteurella multocida, and BY CHRISTINA HAYES over the past few decades. These
Histophilus somni in beef and non-lactating
dairy cattle, and for the control of respiratory
studies have found fetal program-

D id you know 75% of fetal growth ming has lifetime implications on

disease in beef and non-lactating dairy cattle at
high risk of developing BRD associated with M.
haemolytica, P. multocida, and H. somni. occurs in the third trimester? growth, health and reproductive
WARNINGS: FOR USE IN ANIMALS That’s why nutritional demands on success of progeny, and a critical
ONLY. NOT FOR HUMAN USE. KEEP OUT
OF REACH OF CHILDREN. TO AVOID pregnant cows are the greatest in influencer is maternal nutrition
ACCIDENTAL INJECTION, DO NOT
USE IN AUTOMATICALLY POWERED late gestation. Focusing on nutrition during gestation.
SYRINGES WHICH HAVE NO ADDITIONAL
PROTECTION SYSTEM. IN CASE OF
during this key time of calf develop- During the last three months of a
HUMAN INJECTION, SEEK MEDICAL ment, and year round, will support cow’s pregnancy, there is a signifi-
ADVICE IMMEDIATELY AND SHOW THE
PACKAGE INSERT OR LABEL TO THE the performance of both the cow and cant increase in nutritional needs for
PHYSICIAN.
the calf. protein, energy, vitamins and min-
Avoid direct contact with skin and eyes. If
accidental eye exposure occurs, rinse eyes erals. It is important to meet these
with clean water. If accidental skin exposure
occurs, wash the skin immediately with soap WHAT’S HAPPENING elevated requirements before calving
and water. Tildipirosin may cause sensitization
by skin contact.
IN LATE GESTATION? to nourish the cow and prepare the
For technical assistance or to report a suspected
Fetal programming, or the study calf for a healthy start.
adverse reaction, call: 1-800-219-9286. of how nutrition and environment As calving time approaches, the
For customer service or to request a Material
Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), call: 1-800-211-
in utero affect offspring, has been rapidly growing fetus goes through
3573. For additional Zuprevo 18% information researched by many universities final lung development, critical to
go to www.zuprevo.com.
For a complete listing of adverse reactions for
Zuprevo 18% reported to CVM see:
http://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/
SafetyHealth.
DO NOT USE ZUPREVO 18% IN SWINE.
Fatal adverse events have been reported
following the use of tildipirosin in swine. NOT
FOR USE IN CHICKENS OR TURKEYS.

RESIDUE WARNING: Cattle intended for

human consumption must not be slaughtered
within 21 days of the last treatment. Do not
use in female dairy cattle 20 months of age
or older. Use of this drug product in these
cattle may cause milk residues. A withdrawal
period has not been established in pre-
ruminating calves. Do not use in calves to be
processed for veal.

PRECAUTIONS: The effects of

Zuprevo 18% on bovine reproductive
performance, pregnancy and
PHOTOS/ILLUSTRATIONS: ISTOCK

lactation have not been determined.

Swelling and inflammation, which
may be severe, may be seen at the
injection site after administration.
Subcutaneous injection may result in
local tissue reactions which persist
beyond the slaughter withdrawal
period. This may result in trim loss of
edible tissue at slaughter.

Made in Germany
Distributed by: Intervet Inc d/b/a
Merck Animal Health, Summit,
NJ 07901 Copyright © 2011, Intervet 18 | JANUARY 2022 BovineVetOnline.com
Inc., a subsidiary

their preparation for
breathing air. Late gesta-
tion also influences fetal muscle and
adipose tissue formation. Once the
calf is born, muscle fiber number is
largely established for their lifetime.
Nutritional deficiencies during late
gestation can reduce muscle fiber
number and adipocyte development,
affecting calf growth performance,
feedlot efficiency and corresponding
carcass quality.
SEASONAL NUTRITION
DIFFERENCES
The timing of calving and region of
the country will affect management
and nutrition decisions in late ges-
tation. Having good quality forage
available is essential, but as seasons
change, it can be challenging to meet
nutritional requirements during this
critical time of fetal development.
The lead-up nutrition for spring
calving can have many variations
depending on when calves start to
hit the ground.
When calving happens early in
the year, from January to February,
additional protein and energy might
be necessary due to cold tempera-
tures to maintain cows before calv-
ing. In areas where dormant forages
are the primary feedstuff, consider
supplementation strategies designed
to meet cow nutrition requirements
and maintain body condition.
If calving later in the spring, for-
age is limited in growth and volume
from March to May and might not
be enough to support increasing
cow nutrient requirements. Monitor
forage availability and stocking rates
to maintain forage quantity through-
out this grazing period. Supplement-
ing with stored forages until grass
amounts are adequate will help
maintain cows in a body condition
score (BCS) 6 at calving.
Fall calving herd management
differs depending on the environ-
ment. In colder areas, the stress
of maintaining body heat might
increase nutrient requirements to
BovineVetOnline.com
maintain body condi-
tion. Analyzing forage,
whether grazed pasture
or stored forages, will
provide a baseline to
evaluate nutrient and
supplementation needs.
Especially important for
fall-calvers, maintaining
body condition is criti-
cal to breeding back in
winter temperatures, which can be
the toughest time of the year.
NUTRITION 365 DAYS A YEAR
BCS is a quick and easy way to
evaluate how a nutrition program is
working. Aim to keep cows in BCS 6
year round. Cows in BCS 6 heading
into calving season have the nutrient
reserves to support a healthy birth
and optimal colostrum production,
giving rise to a strong calf with good
vigor. When cows stay in BCS 6,
there is no need to play catch up
with nutrition.
Should cows start to slip
below BCS 6, it is time to review
the feeding program and look at
cattle supplements.
Additionally, when body condition
drops during the grazing season, it
is a lagging indicator of declining
forage conditions. BV
Christina Hayes, Ph.D., is a cattle nutri-
tionist with Purina Animal Nutrition.
JANUARY 2022 | 19
ANIMAL HEALTH
Risks and Rewards
Six ways to help preweaned dairy calves succeed in group housing
BY RHONDA BROOKS
roup housing for preweaned
G calves has gained traction on
U.S. dairy farms in recent years.
Improvements in animal behavior
and well-being, reduced labor
costs and the potential to manage
workloads more effectively are
benefits often cited as reasons to
adopt the practice.
The potential downsides are
just as real and center on adverse
health issues, such as the increased
potential for scours and respiratory
disease (BRD).
20 | JANUARY 2022
That doesn’t mean group hous-
ing is a bad practice — there is no
one-size-fits-all right way to raise
calves. What it does mean is dairy
producers need to evaluate their
management practices to minimize
the potential for negative outcomes,
says Theresa Ollivett, DVM, with the
University of Wisconsin School of
Veterinary Medicine.
“Indoor group housing exponen-
tially exacerbates current weak-
nesses within the system,” Ollivett
explains. “(Producers) need to be
consistently better at everything
in order to make group housing
BovineVetOnline.com
work. Abundant vaccinations and
metaphylaxis are not the answers.”¹
Factors for consideration to
improve outcomes in a group
housing system include colostrum
management, group composition
and dynamics, nutritional manage-
ment as well as early disease detec-
tion, according to Sandra Godden,
DVM, and Whitney Knauer, DVM,
University of Minnesota, College of
Veterinary Medicine.²
Godden and Ollivett addressed
best management practices for
preweaned calves in group hous-
ing during the 2021 American
PHOTO: ISTOCK

Association of Bovine Practitioners
(AABP) annual conference. The
following six points are a summary
of information they presented
during the event.
1. COLOSTRUM MANAGE-
MENT IS A CORNERSTONE FOR
EARLY CALF HEALTH. In Figure 1,
Godden outlines the five Q’s of good
colostrum management.
An area Godden says many dairy
producers still need to address is
improving calf health through the
transfer of passive immunity (TPI).
“According to a 2014 study, 14%
FIGURE 1
Colostrum Management
• 14% of U.S. calves with FTPI (NAHMS 2014 dairy study)
> Still an important opportunity on most farms
• 5 Qs of colostrum management:
> Quality: ≥ 90% of samples > 50 g/L IgG
> Quantity: 10% of birth weight at first feeding (3L to 4L)
¤ value to multiple feedings
¤ value to extended feeding for two to three weeks
> Quickness: < 2 hr. (max 6 hr.)
> SQueaky clean: TPC < 100,000 cfu/mL
> Quantifying passive transfer (monitoring): new goals
Source: Sandra Godden and Whitney Knauer, University of Minnesota,
College of Veterinary Medicine.

FIGURE 2

Effect of early group housing and diet on health

(Curtis et al., Vet Rec. 2016)

Source: Sandra Godden and Whitney Knauer, University of Minnesota, College of Veterinary Medicine.

BovineVetOnline.com JANUARY 2022 | 21

ANIMAL HEALTH

FIGURE 3
Q: What should stocking density be?
3. GROUP SIZE IS ALSO AN
A: More space is always better. IMPORTANT RISK FACTOR TO
• Area of bedded resting space per calf (sq. ft. or sq. meter) CONSIDER. A 2006 randomized
clinical trial of 892 calves in nine
• Independent of group size Swedish herds evaluated the health
of calves placed in small groups of
• 18-month study of 38 Midwest autofeeder herds six to nine calves versus large groups
(Jorgensen et al., J. Dairy Sci. 2017 100:5675) of 12 to 18 calves. Researchers deter-
mined the large groups had a 40%
— Each additional sq. meter of bedded space per calf associated with:
increased risk for respiratory disease
¤ 10.4% in odds for higher ear score (P = 0.006) and also a reduced growth rate
¤ 7.7% in odds for higher eye score (P = 0.008) (Svensson et al., 2006. PVM 73:43
73:43).
Godden recommends housing in
• Rec: 45 sq. ft. to 50 sq. ft. bedded space per calf groups of seven or fewer calves. She
(James et al. Western Dairy Management Conference, 2017) adds that some research indicates
two calves — pair housing — make
the ideal group size
Source: Sandra Godden and Whitney Knauer, University of Minnesota,
The smaller group numbers don’t
College of Veterinary Medicine.
square with what some many dis-
tributors recommend to producers.
of U.S. dairy calves failed,” she says. “They often suggest that farmers
“So, in the average herd, there is still can put 25 to 30 calves on a nipple
a large opportunity to improve this.” or in a pen, and it’s just not true,”
The average cost of failed TPI in a Godden says. “People often learn
dairy calf is cited in one meta-analysis that the hard way. As one of my
“If the group gets big as $70, Godden adds. She believes colleagues says, ‘stocking density is
enough, there’s the losses could be greater because self-correcting.’
a potential to introduce the meta-analysis ignored, or did not “If the group gets big enough,
take into consideration, the lifetime there’s a potential to introduce com-
competition and
production of the individual animal. petition and aggression as stressors,
aggression as stressors, and possibly limit intake, and those
and possibly limit 2. “OLDER” CALVES are going to feed back negatively on
intake, and those PERFORM BETTER IN GROUP innate immunity, and, therefore,
HOUSING THAN YOUNGER health,” she adds.
are going to feed ONES. Godden recommends
back negatively on that calves be introduced to group 4. GIVE CALVES ROOM TO
innate immunity, and, housing at 12 to 14 days of age or MOVE AROUND AND BED
therefore, health.” even older. DOWN. Both Godden and
Research shows younger calves Ollivett emphasize adequate space
take longer to learn to drink unas- is critical to success in group hous-
sisted and need more guidance. ing. Research indicates a stocking
They also drink less milk in the first density that provides at least 45 sq.
days of life and have an increased ft. to 50 sq. ft. bedded space per calf
risk of severe diarrhea and pneumo- is desirable (Figure 3), and more is
nia (Figure 2). always better.

22 | JANUARY 2022 BovineVetOnline.com


Keep age variations at a min-
imum, less than a week spread
between animals if possible. Godden
says when younger and older calves
are group together, you see more
competition, increased transmis-
sion from the older animals to the
younger ones and an increase in
mortality due to the age range (Jor-
gensen et al., 2017).
“Continuous flow pens contribute
to endemic disease,” she says. “Pick
your bug.”
5. WITH NUTRITION MAN-
AGEMENT, FEEDING MORE
MILK IS A POSITIVE. Some
producers might push back and say
young calves will scour from having
too much milk, but Godden says that
is a myth.
“Feeding large volumes of milk
does not cause milk scours,” she says.
When offered ad libitum access
to milk in the first days of life,
dairy calves will drink an average
of 8 liters per day by 4 days of
age, and individual calves will drink
up to 12 liters per day, without
causing scours (Figure 4). Recent
studies have reported a positive
association between milk consump-
tion very early in life on health as
well as growth.
6. DO NOT RELY ON A
COMPUTER TO DETECT SICK
CALVES. There can be large vari-
ations in calf feeding behaviors,
especially in group housing, so use
computers as an aid only to evalu-
ate calf health. You might need to
encourage producers to not rely on
a computer algorithm to help detect
animals that aren’t thriving.
FIGURE 4
Summary of recommended milk feeding program
Birth to Weaning
• Feed a full potential milk or milk replacer program:
¤ ≥ 8 L/day or (≥ 8.5 qt./day) or ≥ 1 kg DM/day (≥ 2.2 lb.)
¤ Monitor TS: Want 12% to 13.5% mixture (< 15%)
¤ Monitor cleanliness: TBC < 20,000 cfu/mL
• Provide large meal allowances
¤ > 2 L (qt) per meal
• Do not delay offering full daily allowance
• Don’t be in a rush to wean (≥ 8 weeks)
• Step-down weaning over 14 days
Source: Sandra Godden and Whitney Knauer, University of Minnesota,
College of Veterinary Medicine.
“A computer cannot detect sub-
clinical BRD, for instance,” Godden
notes. “We still need trained indi-
viduals on the farm to observe and
identify sick calves.” BV
REFERENCES
¹Ollivett, Theresa. Calf Housing/
Facility/Environment BRD Pre-
vention. American Association of
Bovine Practitioners Proceedings of
the Annual Conference. 2021.
²S. M. Godden, W. A. Knauer.
Management Considerations to Pre-
vent Respiratory Disease in Group-
housed Preweaned Dairy Calves.
American Association of Bovine
Practitioners Proceedings of the
Annual Conference. 2021.
BovineVetOnline.com JANUARY 2022 | 23
ANIMAL HEALTH

10 Ways to Help
Sick Calves
With early detection and intervention many survive
BY MAUREEN HANSON

S cours and pneumonia are the twin challenges of every

calf raiser, especially heading into winter.
But early detection, coupled with an arsenal of inter-
ventions, can help many calves pull through and thrive
despite these potential setbacks.
According to Pamela Ruegg, DVM, MPVM, department
chair at the Michigan State University College of Veterinary
Medicine, “supportive care is more valuable than antibiotics.”
She says the natural inclination to manage calf
diseases solely with a needle and a bottle is trumped by
a host of other care methods that can guide calves on the
road to recovery.
With her former colleague, Sheila McGuirk, professor
emeritus at the University of Wisconsin School of Veteri-
nary Medicine, Ruegg offers the following list of sick-calf
care suggestions:

1 Isolate sick calves in their own space,

and put down fresh bedding to keep them
clean, warm and dry.
6 Feed oral fluids (electrolytes) to correct
dehydration, provided the calf is strong enough
to stand and has no abdominal distension. These
feedings should be separated from milk feedings by

2 Administer warm fluids to help raise

body temperature.
at least two hours.

3 Provide access to fresh water at least

twice daily.
7 Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as
aspirin, Banamine and ketoprofen can keep
calves eating by helping them feel better.

4 Offer milk or milk replacer at the usual

dilution and temperature, but reduce
volume and feed it more frequently. (Example:
8 Supplementation with probiotics could help
restore the intestinal environment, especially
after antibiotic treatment.
1 qt., fed up to four times per day).

5 Use an esophageal feeder to

administer liquid feed that is not
9 Use antibiotics only when they are known to be
effective for the problem identified.

consumed by suckling. Be sure the feeder is

thoroughly cleaned, disinfected and rinsed
between calves.
10 Antibiotic selection should be based on
culture of the bacterial organism from the
farm or during the outbreak.

Ruegg recommends all sick-calf care and treatment
protocols be developed collaboratively with the herd’s
veterinarian. In addition, she says antibiotics only
should be administered according to the veterinarian’s
which makes all care and treatment more effective,
the University of Kentucky has developed a helpful
bulletin that contains tips for staging the severity of
illness, recognizing very early symptoms and preventing
PHOTO: ISTOCK

prescribed dose, frequency, route of administration and diseases from occurring. BV

duration of therapy.
To help assist with early detection of sick calves, The bulletin is available at https://bit.ly/33rIX4p

24 | JANUARY 2022 BovineVetOnline.com

 ANIMAL HEALTH

More
Live Births
Cows that rest likely have fewer stillbirths

BY MAUREEN HANSON postpartum milk fever was higher for dams with a still-

T he successful delivery and survival of a newborn calf is born calf versus those that delivered live calves.
the goal of every dairy pregnancy, but unfortunately it
doesn’t always work out that way. The researchers concluded dams that had stillbirths
Researchers at Ohio State University have uncovered rested less, and less consistently, in the week leading up
one way to potentially improve those outcomes: Increase to calving. Multiparous stillbirth dams also had higher
the time and consistency that close-up cows are able to serum NEFA concentrations during that period, and all
lie down and rest. stillbirth dams had higher incidence of milk fever in the
The Ohio State team, whose results were published in 48 hours after calving.
the Journal of Dairy Science, evaluated 1,044 cows from Improving the factors that encourage close-up
three Ohio dairies. Using electronic data loggers, they cows and heifers to lie down and rest could result in
assessed lying time and frequency starting 14 days before more live births, and dry-cow resting environments
expected calving dates. should be investigated if a herd is experiencing a high
They also drew blood on days 14 and seven before incidence of stillbirths. BV
anticipated calving to check serum nonesterified fatty
acid (NEFA) concentration, and again 48 hours after
calving to measure total blood calcium. Higher serum EXPERT CATTLE DIAGNOSTICS
NEFA concentration near calving has been associated
with higher levels of several transition-cow diseases.
Both first-calf heifers and multiparous cows were
included in the study.
Stillbirths were defined as calves that were born dead
or died within 24 hours of birth. A total of 50 stillbirths,
or 4.8% of the data set, occurred. Comparing cows
that delivered live calves to those with stillbirths, the
researchers observed:

• DAMS WITH LIVE CALVES had more lying time in COURTESY OF HOARD’S DAIRYMAN

the seven days leading up to calving than those with still-

births. First-calf heifers with live calves rested an average
of 55 minutes longer per day; multiparous cows with live
calves rested an average of 46 minutes longer per day.
• DIFFICULT CALVINGS contributed to higher levels
ILLUSTRATION: LORI HAYS

of stillbirth, but herd, parity and season did not.

• MULTIPAROUS COWS with a stillborn calf had
higher prepartum serum NEFA concentration compared
to their multiparous herdmates with a live calf. This dif-
ference did not occur among first-calf heifers.
• REGARDLESS OF PARITY, the incidence of
RELIABLE RESULTS • EXCEPTIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE
Meeting your export testing &
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BovineVetOnline.com JANUARY 2022 | 25

LEARN MORE AT: WWW.WVDL.WISC.EDU
VETERINARY PRACTICE
The Power of New Blood
Part 3: Challenge biases to improve decision-making and judgment calls
s associates or owners, we participate
A in an ever-changing web of clinic inter-
actions that are determined by our past
successes, experiences and interactions.
Each decision we make is determined by
how these experiences previously shaped
us. As our career lengthens, our brain
begins to learn what is the “right” response
By Eric Rooker, DVM, according to the patterns around us and
Dairy Doctors how we usually respond.
Veterinary Services and
Operators to Owners, Early in our career, pattern recognition
Plymouth, Wis. and the actions that it leads to are conscious
responses we are aware of. As our careers
dairydoctors.com progress, our brain begins to recognize com-
otovets.com
mon patterns without the need for this con-
scious thought and to protect limited mental
resources, it begins processing and acting
upon these patterns unconsciously at a higher
and higher rate. While it is an adaptively
advantageous process, this intuitive thought
is known to be at higher risk for the errors in
judgment known as cognitive biases or devia-
tions from rational conscious evaluation.
Cognitive biases exist within each of us and
in every practice. Some go unseen, with little
to no negative effects, while many others can
have insidious effects. It is important veter-
inarians (both associates and owners alike)
actively question their decisions, looking
for cognitive biases such as four of the most
common and influential medical examples
reviewed here.
1. ANCHORING BIAS
Anchoring bias refers to
our tendency to make
decisions based upon the
first information we receive
about a topic.
In the field, this can manifest as an incor-
rectly high dosage when an owner suggests
you treat at a higher-than-recommended level
26 | JANUARY 2022 BovineVetOnline.com
prior to your personal recommendation. At the
clinic level, this can manifest as a management
team leaning toward the first solution proposed
to a problem simply because it was the first one
to be proffered and debated.
2.AVAILABILITY BIAS
Availability bias refers to our
tendency to judge things
as more likely if they more
quickly come to mind.
This could manifest in the
field as an incorrect diagnosis based upon your
recent case load experience, causing you to
over-diagnose recently observed conditions and
under-diagnose conditions you haven’t observed
in awhile. At the clinic level, this manifests as
individuals focusing on solutions that have
worked recently for the practice verses seeing
other alternative options.
3.FAMILIARITY PRINCIPLE
In the field, the familiarity principle can
manifest as a practitioner selecting a particular
drug simply because they have heard about it
more or know more about it. Within a clinic,
the principle causes owners to stagnate clinic
growth by always reaching for solutions they
are familiar with, which tends to stifle creative
thought and new idea implementation.
4. SUNK COSTS FALLACY
The Sunk Costs Fallacy causes individuals to
become more and more convinced their deci-
sion is right as resources are invested into the
decision-making process.
This can manifest in the field as an over-
IMAGES/ICONS: ISTOCK
valuation of a specific diagnosis simply because
of the amount of previous time, money or
resources used to make it. Within a clinic, the
Sunk Costs Fallacy will cause an individual
to fail at considering alternatives to a current
management strategy because of the
previously invested resources.
THE ASSOCIATE ADVANTAGE
Knowing the negative effects of these
biases, “What is the best way a new
associate can break the aforemen-
tioned biases?” One great way is by
asking time-honored questions such as
the two that follow.
“Why do we do it this way?”
Asking this question forces the person
to consider if the answer is being
biased by availability, anchoring or
familiarity, which would cause an indi-
vidual to lean toward the comfortable,
early or common experiences when
manifesting a solution. The subsequent
conversation to justify the decision to
a peer will open the door for the asso-
ciate to identify biases and to use their
unique insights in cognitive biases to
challenge existing assumptions.
“What are we looking to gain
from this?”
By asking this question you can estab-
lish an end goal and its viability. If this
goal is something that is common and
familiar, or it appears unachievable in
the current light, associates can offer
alternatives that seek to alter the direc-
tion or create stretch goals that push
the practice in a new direction. In this
way, associates can help differentiate
sound management practices from bias
determined ones.
YOUR MARK, YOUR PRACTICE
New vets represent the future of
our industry. These individuals are
uniquely positioned to see what we
cannot. They have driving factors we
BovineVetOnline.com
might have lost via “The Triple Pack-
age,” can break existing group behavior
by attacking group think, establishing
a new, virtuous cycle for your practice
using the Matthew effect, and can
begin to identify the innate cognitive
biases present in every practice. No
matter how you look at it, the power of
new blood in your practice can change
the trajectory of your practice for years
to come via the associate advantage.
If you have issues with fostering such
an environment within your clinic or
are an associate struggling to be heard,
I invite you to join us in a USDA
grant-funded group environment set-
ting tailored to addressing your unique
problems or concerns. BV
Learn more at wvma.org/
veterinary-mastermind
JANUARY 2022 | 27
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Supply the vitamins that fresh growing grass provides with:

All calves are born deficient in fat-soluble vitamin status and depend on colostrum
and milk to deliver adequate amounts of these critically important vitamins. VITAL E®-NEWBORN
Cows consuming stored roughages during gestation and calve during early spring
For Beef. For Dairy.
or drought conditions typically have lower levels of fat-soluble vitamins in An injection of VITAL E-Newborn
colostrum and milk compared to cows grazing green grass prior to calving. provides these vitally important
This results in spring-born calves having a greater demand for vitamins fat-soluble vitamins.
A, D and E supplementation.
Newborn calves deficient in • Vitamin A
fat-soluble vitamin status can
exhibit “weak-calf syndrome” • Vitamin D
diarrhea and other symptoms • Vitamin E
shortly after birth.

Each value represents the mean of 4 newborn beef calves. Treated calves were injected with 5 mL VITAL E-Newborn (purple bar).
Injection Responses to VITAL E-Newborn with adequate levels indicated by yellow line.

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 sleep in 10 minutes later
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Protect Your Investment

If you trust tulathromycin, then you need

TULISSIN® 100 injectable solution.
Built-in Protective Shell
Patented container design on the 250mL and 500mL bottles features an
easy-grip silicone shell that offers excellent shock-absorption properties
that protect against breakage.

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shock-absorbing shell in action.
Ask your vet about TULISSIN® 100 injectable solution

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION FOR CATTLE

TULISSIN® 100 (tulathromycin injection): Not for use in humans. Ensure
a pre-slaughter withdrawal time of eighteen (18) days in cattle. Do not
use in dairy cattle 20 months of age or older, including dry dairy cows.
Use in these cattle may cause drug residues in milk and/or in calves
born to these cows. The effects of tulathromycin on bovine reproductive
performance, pregnancy and lactation have not been determined. Do
not use in animals known to be hypersensitive to the product.
©2021 Virbac Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
TULISSIN is a registered trademark of Virbac S.A. 11/21 13607.04
Brief Summary of Prescribing Information for Cattle CONTRAINDICATIONS
Before using TULISSIN® 100 (tulathromycin injection) Injectable Solution consult the product insert, a The use of TULISSIN 100 Injectable Solution is contraindicated in animals previously found to be
summary of which follows: hypersensitive to the drug.
WARNINGS
FOR USE IN ANIMALS ONLY.
NOT FOR HUMAN USE.
Antibiotic KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.
100 mg of tulathromycin/mL NOT FOR USE IN CHICKENS OR TURKEYS.
For use in beef cattle (including suckling calves), non-lactating dairy cattle (including dairy calves), veal
calves, and swine. Not for use in female dairy cattle 20 months of age or older. RESIDUE WARNINGS
Cattle
CAUTION: Federal (USA) law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian. Cattle intended for human consumption must not be slaughtered within 18 days from the
INDICATIONS: last treatment. This drug is not approved for use in female dairy cattle 20 months of age or
Beef and Non-Lactating Dairy Cattle older, including dry dairy cows. Use in these cattle may cause drug residues in milk and/or
BRD - TULISSIN 100 Injectable Solution is indicated for the treatment of bovine respiratory disease (BRD) in calves born to these cows.
associated with Mannheimia haemolytica, Pasteurella multocida, Histophilus somni, and Mycoplasma
bovis; and for the control of respiratory disease in cattle at high risk of developing BRD associated with PRECAUTIONS
Mannheimia haemolytica, Pasteurella multocida, Histophilus somni, and Mycoplasma bovis. Cattle
IBK - TULISSIN 100 Injectable Solution is indicated for the treatment of infectious bovine The effects of TULISSIN 100 Injectable Solution on bovine reproductive performance, pregnancy, and
keratoconjunctivitis (IBK) associated with Moraxella bovis. lactation have not been determined. Subcutaneous injection can cause a transient local tissue reaction
that may result in trim loss of edible tissue at slaughter.
Foot Rot - TULISSIN 100 Injectable Solution is indicated for the treatment of bovine foot rot (interdigital
necrobacillosis) associated with Fusobacterium necrophorum and Porphyromonas levii. ADVERSE REACTIONS
Cattle
Suckling Calves, Dairy Calves, and Veal Calves
In one BRD field study, two calves treated with tulathromycin injection (100 mg/mL) at 2.5 mg/kg BW
BRD - TULISSIN 100 Injectable Solution is indicated for the treatment of BRD associated with M.
exhibited transient hypersalivation. One of these calves also exhibited transient dyspnea, which may
haemolytica, P. multocida, H. somni, and M. bovis.
have been related to pneumonia.
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION
STORAGE CONDITIONS:
Cattle
Store at or below 30°C (86°F). Use within 45 days of first puncture and puncture a maximum of 20 times.
Inject subcutaneously as a single dose in the neck at a dosage of 2.5 mg/kg (1.1 mL/100 lb) body weight
Consider using automatic injection equipment or repeater syringe. When using a needle or draw-off
(BW). Do not inject more than 10 mL per injection site.
spike larger than 16 gauge, discard any remaining product immediately after use.
Table 1. TULISSIN 100 Injectable Solution Cattle Dosing Guide (100 mg/mL) (refer to Table 1 on product insert) Manufactured for:
Virbac AH, Inc.
Animal Weight Dose Volume
P.O. Box 162059, Fort Worth, TX 76161
(Pounds) (mL)
Made in France
100 1.1 Approved by FDA under ANADA # 200-669
200 2.3 To report suspected adverse drug events, for technical assistance or to obtain a copy of the
Safety Data Sheet (SDS), contact Virbac AH, Inc. at 1-800-338-3659 or us.virbac.com. For additional
300 3.4 information about adverse drug experience reporting for animal drugs, contact FDA at 1-888-FDA-VETS
or http://www.fda.gov/reportanimalae.
400 4.5

500 5.7

600 6.8

700 8.0

800 9.1
©2021 Virbac Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
900 10.2 TULISSIN is a registered trademark of Virbac S.A.
1000 11.4
Rev. 10/21
 Helping beef
producers sort their
sustainable future
Scan the code to download a free resource
guide designed to help your operation adapt to
a changing market and a changing world.

www.bit.ly/future-beef