Given present technology, it is probably not realistic to expect complete prevention of losses resulting from the common infectious diseases. Because of the high intensity of calving in the seasonal dairying project, a monoclonal antibody product given orally to calves to prevent Escherichia coliinduced diarrhea was used initially. In later years, this was replaced with a maternal vaccination given to cows during the dry period. Colostrum was fed to all calves. Prior to feeding, the specific gravity of colostrum was measured with a colostrometer.
Specific gravity is associated with antibody level in colostrum.
Occasional diarrhea was noted in calves and treatment consisted primarily of supportive therapy such as oral electrolyte fluids. During one spring calving season, scours were noted in virtually every calf. A viral cause such as rotavirus or coronavirus was suspected but not conclusively demonstrated. Prompt electrolyte therapy resulted in reversal of clinical signs, and no death losses were noted as a result of diarrhea. Laboratory tests indicated the cause to be acute white muscle disease which led to heart failure.