Post by myersfarm on Jan 26, 2007 18:02:56 GMT -5
Successful Transfer of Passive Immunity in Calves Born via a Difficult Birth
by Glenn Selk
Calves born after a difficult birth are at a high risk of failing to receive adequate colostrum by natural suckling because of greatly decreased colostrum intake. Calves that are born to a prolonged stage II of parturition very often suffer from severe respiratory acidosis. Stage II is defined as the period of labor from first appearance of the water bag until the calf is completely expelled and on the ground. “Acidotic” calves are less efficient at absorbing colostral immunoglobulins even if artificially fed colostrum, therefore efforts should be made to provide weak newborn calves with the best source of colostrum available via bottle suckling or tube feeding. Immunoglobulin is a big word for the large proteins that are “disease-protecting antibodies”.
The amount of immunoglobulin ingested is also a major determinant of final serum immunoglobulin concentration. A practical "rule-of-thumb" is to feed 5 to 6% of the calf's body weight within the first 6 hours and repeat the feeding when the calf is about 12 hours old. For an 80 pound calf, this will equate to at least 2 quarts of colostrum per feeding. Feed the natural or commercial colostrum first, before the calf is fed whole milk that is not colostrum. Once the calf has consumed any milk product, the intestine speeds up the process of intestinal closure, which would inhibit the absorption of antibodies from colostrum fed later. Read more about these important topics in OSU Fact Sheet F-3358 "Disease Protection of Baby Calves".
This is available online at:
Disease Protection of Baby Calves
Excellent Article, but a long read.
link verified: 10.03.10
by Glenn Selk
Calves born after a difficult birth are at a high risk of failing to receive adequate colostrum by natural suckling because of greatly decreased colostrum intake. Calves that are born to a prolonged stage II of parturition very often suffer from severe respiratory acidosis. Stage II is defined as the period of labor from first appearance of the water bag until the calf is completely expelled and on the ground. “Acidotic” calves are less efficient at absorbing colostral immunoglobulins even if artificially fed colostrum, therefore efforts should be made to provide weak newborn calves with the best source of colostrum available via bottle suckling or tube feeding. Immunoglobulin is a big word for the large proteins that are “disease-protecting antibodies”.
The amount of immunoglobulin ingested is also a major determinant of final serum immunoglobulin concentration. A practical "rule-of-thumb" is to feed 5 to 6% of the calf's body weight within the first 6 hours and repeat the feeding when the calf is about 12 hours old. For an 80 pound calf, this will equate to at least 2 quarts of colostrum per feeding. Feed the natural or commercial colostrum first, before the calf is fed whole milk that is not colostrum. Once the calf has consumed any milk product, the intestine speeds up the process of intestinal closure, which would inhibit the absorption of antibodies from colostrum fed later. Read more about these important topics in OSU Fact Sheet F-3358 "Disease Protection of Baby Calves".
This is available online at:
Disease Protection of Baby Calves
Excellent Article, but a long read.
link verified: 10.03.10
