Risk Factors For, And Causes Of, Perinatal Calf Mortality And Implications For Calf Welfare

Year 2019, Volume: 9 Issue: 1, 35 - 41, 14.10.2019

John Mee İsmail Şen Ayperi Aytmirza Kizi Nur Abdusalam Uulu Abuzer Taş

Abstract

The perinatal period is the most hazardous in the life of all animals. More than 60% of producers have reported that most of their calf mortality occurs at birth. Calf mortality represents economic losses to the dairy industry due to delayed genetic progress, fewer replacements available for voluntary culling of the lactating herd, and increased cost of replacement. The main causes of perinatal morbidity and mortality are, in descending order of importance, combined respiratory and metabolic acidosis, parturient trauma, hypoglobulinemia, congenital infections and deficiencies, and omphalophlebitis. This indicates that farmers and their veterinarians need to focus on calving management when investigating such problems and when attempting to reduce losses in herds with high rates of bovine perinatal mortality. This paper discusses both the risk factors for, and the ultimate causes of, perinatal mortality and their effects on perinatal calf welfare, an underdocumented topic.

Keywords

calf welfare, perinatal mortality

Supporting Institution

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Project Number

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Thanks

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Risk Factors For, And Causes Of, Perinatal Calf Mortality And Implications For Calf Welfare

Abstract

The perinatal period is
the most hazardous in the life of all animals. More than 60% of producers have
reported that most of their calf mortality occurs at birth. Calf mortality
represents economic losses to the dairy industry due to delayed genetic
progress, fewer replacements available for voluntary culling of the lactating
herd, and increased cost of replacement. The main causes of perinatal morbidity
and mortality are, in descending order of importance, combined respiratory and
metabolic acidosis, parturient trauma, hypoglobulinemia, congenital infections
and deficiencies, and omphalophlebitis. This indicates that farmers and their
veterinarians need to focus on calving management when investigating such
problems and when attempting to reduce losses in herds with high rates of
bovine perinatal mortality. This paper discusses both the risk factors for, and
the ultimate causes of, perinatal mortality and their effects on perinatal calf
welfare, an underdocumented topic.

Keywords

calf welfare, perinatal mortality, dystocia

Project Number

yok

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