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Common Diseases of Young Calves
10. The calf pens should be built hygienically with concrete floors and
be kept clean, properly drained and occasionally disinfected and white-washed.
11. If the calves are kept in small groups contagious diseases can be con-
trolled more easily.
12. On infected farms the temperatures of all the new-born calves should
be taken for at least 7 to 10 days from birth as in most of these congenital
diseases the first indication is rise of temperature. Moreover, these diseases are
more fatal to young calves, and the earlier these are detected the greater are
the chances of their recovery with suitable treatment. Usually the normal
calf is very active and vigorous and has a soft smooth coat. If it lies
quietly or stands in a stupor or if the coat is rough, it may be taken that it is
out-of-sorts and the source of the derangement should be ascertained.
13. The affected calves should be isolated immediately from the healthy
and be provided with separate attendants. The premises and feeding utensils
should be thoroughly disinfected. The healthy calves may be removed to
fresh clean premises, preferably at a higher level.
14. The carcase of a calf that has died of any contagious disease should be
either burnt or buried with lime six feet below the surface.
15. On the advice of a competent veterinary authority, calves born on
farms infected with white scour or navel-ill may be given preventive inocula-
tions against these diseases within a few days of the birth. Pregnant cows,
especially those which habitually give birth to calves affected with these
diseases, may also be similarly treated.
(i) Calf septicaemia.—In this disease the calf is born sick and weak, is
unable to get up, shows high temperature and usually dies within twelve to
twenty-four hours or a little longer after birth. On post-mortem examina-
tion the heart, serous and mucous membranes show haemorrhagic spots. The
spleen may be slightly enlarged and congested. In such cases the dam usually
has retained the placenta or shows symptoms of inflammation of the uterus
and there may be a history of previous abortion or of the birth of a calf infected
with navel-ill.
Very little can be done to save the calf affected with this disease. How-
ever, if possible, internal antiseptics and general stimulants such as a mixture
of quinine sulphate (ten grains), sodium salicylate (thirty grains), potassium
iodide (twenty grains) and aromatic spirits of ammonia (one drachm) in about
two ounces of water may be given three or four times a day. A serum prepared
against the organisms that are commonly encountered in such outbreaks may
be used as a curative. General hygienic care and proper nursing may help
the patient.
(ii) White scour.—In this disease the calf shows a rise of temperature
before manifesting scour and there is dullness, depression and disinclination for
food. A few hours or a day later the faeces become thin and are of a yellowish
or white colour with a foetid odour. The affected calf has a staring coat and
cold limbs, is very weak and is unable to stand. When young calves get
white scour, older calves may subsequently contract the infection from them
and an outbreak may result, but the younger calves are affected more seriously
and the losses will be much greater than in the older calves. When the disease
develops within a few hours of birth the calf may die within two days. In