Correlation between neonatal calf diarrhea and the level of maternally derived antibodies

Passively acquired antibodies through colostrum will protect calves against etiological agents of neonatal calf diarrhea. Among them enteric diseases due to strains of Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli [ETEC] are the most commonly occurring form of colibacillosis in newborn calves. Specific antibodies against whole ETEC cells and total immunoglobulin G in dam serum, colostrum and calf serum were determined. There were significant differences [P=0.0005] between antibody titers in normal and diarrheic groups, in which diarrheic group had a higher titer. Total IgG concentration in diarrheic calves [20.86 +/- 0.49], their dams [23.48 +/- 0.54] and colostrum [33.40 +/- 0.50] was less than normal group [P=0.0005]. There was a highly significant positive correlation between dam total IgG with calf total IgG [r=0.022; ratio=52.11]. Colostral anti-E. coli antibody had a highly significant positive correlation with anti-E. coli in calf serum [r=0.345; ratio=0.62]. Anti-E. coli antibody in calf serum had a highly significant negative correlati with total IgG of dam serum, colostrum and calf serum. While the level of anti-E. coli antibodies in diarrheic group was considerably higher than normal group, our findings reported here are in agreement that immunity to diarrhea also might be correlated with maternal cells or cellular components as well as cytokines which are transferred by colostrum to neonatal calves. Nevertheless, the level of maternally derived antibodies is a promising indicator for passive immunity and protection against diarrhea in neonatal calves

Changes in clinical signs after treatment in calves with experimental colisepticemia with Escherichia coli

Background: Colisepticemia is an acute fatal disease in farm animal neonates. Clinical finding of septicemia is non-specific and cannot be differentiated from signs of non-infectious disease or disease with local infection such as diarrhea

Objectives: Evaluation of clinical signs variations in calves with experimental septicemia with Escherichia coli 01 11 :H8

Methods: Colisepticemia was experimentally induced in ten Holstein bull calves after an adaptation period. Vital signs and 7 clinical criteria were recorded from 24 h before septicemia until 48 h after that. Blood culture was performed and treatment was done based on antibiogram from 24 h after challenge

Results: Changes of suckling reflex and shock were not significant. Changes of appetite, dehydration, behavior, standing ability, total score from 24 h before the challenge to 24 h after treatment were significant [p=0.00l]. Fecal consistency altered with treatment [p<0.04]. Heart rate [p=0.04 and p=0.033, respectively], respiratory rate [p=0.009 and p=0.001, respectively] and body temperature [p0.00l and p=0.004, respectively] have significant changes till 24 h after challenge and till 24 h after starting treatment. Blood cultures were positive except for 0 h and 48 h after challenge

Conclusions: The present study indicated clinical signs changed unfavorably following septicemia that were dissolved approximately during 24 h, depending on treatment in appropriate time and drug choice. Thus, a targeted scoring system will be useful in clinical evaluation of septicemia, quantifying the changes procedure and treatment efficacy

[Relationship between post parturition serum beta-hydroxy butyric acid concentrations and periparturition diseases in dairy cows: a provincial study in Qom]

Negative energy balance [NEB] during first days of calving can cause metabolic and reproductive diseases in dairy cows. To evaluate the prevalence of hyperketonemis and its relationship with periparturient diseases in dairy cows of the Qom province, Iran. Two hundred and seven cows were being investigated over 2- 4 weeks after parturition in dairy farms of Qom. Serum levels of beta-hydroxy butyric acid [BHBA] concentrations of blood were measured to evaluate subclinical ketosis. All cows were clinically examined and any diseases which have been occurred during early two months after birth values were analyzed using Chi-square and Mann-Whitney U tests to compare mean values of serum BHBA concentrations in different groups and Pearson test for finding any relationship between groups. Cows showed retained placenta [n= 20, 9.56%], metritis [n= 2, 0.95%], milk fever [n= 3, 1.44%], laminitis [n= 1, 0.47%], clinical ketosis [n= 2, 0.95%], mastitis [n= 3, 1.44%], hepatic lipidosis [n= 1, 0.47%] and left displacement of abomasums [LDA] [n= 2, 0.95%]. Parturition number, live bodyweight of newborn calves and previous open days in cows with higher than 1 mmol/L BHBA concentrations, were significantly greater than those cows with BHBA concentration lower than 1 mmol/L [p<0.05]. While 55.17% of the cows with higher than 1 mmol/L BHBA concentration showed different post parturition diseases, 6.8% cows with lower than 1 mmol/L BHBA concentrations have been involved with such diseases. In this respect, two groups showed significant difference [p<0.05]. Since periparturient diseases of dairy cows showes significant relationship with hyperketonemia, both condition should be cousidered in veterinary care

[ effects of oral administration of solution containing minerals and organic substances in parturient dairy cows and the prevention of mineral deficiency and negative energy balance]

Negative energy balance and mineral deficiency are the most important metabolic disorders in fresh dairy cows. In order to evaluate the effect of the feeding of solution [LICVITE [registered sign]] containing minerals [calcium, phosphorus and magnesium] and organic substances [propylene glycol and niacin] in parturient dairy cows, 30 cows were examined in a dairy farm with 500 milking dairy cows. 500 ml of Licvite syrup was fed to 15 dairy cows one hour post partum, and once again 14 hours after calving [treatment group]. Fifteen parturient dairy cows, almost at the same physical situation as the treatment group, did not receive any substances after calving and were chosen as the control group. Jugular blood samples were taken from two groups as follow: 12- 15 days before parturition; 14 and 24 hours after calving; and, 10 days after parturition. Analysis of sera showed that the mean serum concentration of calcium in the treatment group at 24 hours after parturition, and mean serum concentration of phosphorous in all the measured times after parturition, were significantly higher than the control group [p<0.05]. After parturition it was noticed that there was a decreased level of BHBA and NEFA in the cows in the treatment group. The differences, however, were not statistically significant. The results of present study showed that oral administration of a solution containing mineral and organic substances, to dairy cows during the first day after parturition, had a very significant effect on the prevention of subclinical mineral deficiency and the negative energy balance

[Study on possible relationship between gastric ulcer and cardiac arrhythmias in the Arab horse and Caspian miniature horse]

Peptic ulcer is a very common disorder in horse race and foals. In the present research possible relationship between gastric ulcer and the prevalence of cardiac arrhythmia were studied in two different horse race. In this respect. 13 Caspian miniature horses and 8 Arab horses were studied. Gastric ulcers and cardiac arrhythmias were diagnosed in 13 horses [62%] and 12[57%] out of 211 horses, respectively. The observed cardiac arrhythmias were sinus tachycardia, sinus bradycardia, sinus arrhythmia, second degree AV block and SA block. There was no significant relationship between gastric ulcer and cardiac arrhythmia in general and between gastric ulcer and each kind of arrhythmia [p>0.005]. Serum calcium, potassium. sodium, magnesium and inorganic phosphorous concentrations were measured in the horses. No significant correlation was seen between serum electrolyte and gastric ulcer or cardiac arrhythmia. Despite lack of significant correlation between cardiac arrhythmia and gastric ulcer, more occurrence for some kinds of arrhythmia in affected horses with gastric ulcer was very interesting and need to be further investigated in future

[ study on the clinical features of salmonellosis and prevalence of Salmonella serogroups in calves]

The clinical features of salmonellosis and prevalence of salmonella serogroups in calves were studied on one hundred and thirty two suspected calves in dairy farms around Tehran. Clinical examinations were carried out and the faecal or tissue [if calve was euthanized or dead] samples were collected for bacterial culture. The results were analyzed with Chi-square statistical test. Salmonella spp was isolated from 18 samples of 132[13.6%]. Salmonella isolates belonged to 4 serogroups D, B, C1 and C2. Clinical signs Observed in 6 forms: chronic entritis[33.3%], septicemia[27.8%], Acute enteritis[22%], dry gangrene of exterimities[5.5%], pneumoenteritis[5.5%] and polyarthritis[5.5%]. Eight of 18 salmonelleic calves [44.4%] died and 7 [38.9%] euthanized because of prolonging disease and not response to treatment. Occurrence of salmonellosis was signifiantly higher in calves with 1.5 to 3 month of ages [p <0.05]. The prevalence of salmonellosis was higher in summer and winter and was more in calves that were held in hutches, but the differences were not significant. Most common clinical forms of salmonellosis were chronic enteritis, acute enteritis and septicemia. Most of salmonella isolates belonged to serogroup D [61.2%].Considering Other studies and results of this research, the serogroup D salmonella apear to be the most common cause of salmonellosis in calves in dairy farms around Tehran

[ study on the hepatic abscess of slaughtered cattl in shahrekord abattoir]

To determine occurrence and also bacterialcauses of hepatic abscess of sacrificed cattle in shahrekodabattoir.Cross Sectional study.Five hundreds sacrificed cattle.During this study inspection of 500 sacrificedcattle for presence of hepatic abscess was carried out inslaughter house. After observing the hepatic abscess, animal's sex, age, production, pregnancy and also abscesscharacterizations [number, size, location], recorded andwhole abscess was dissected from the liver and transferredto the laboratory. Aerobic, anaerobic and microaerophilicbacterial cultures from hepatic abscesses were carried outusing standard methods.Chi- Square statistical test.Thirty three cattle [6.6%] out of 500 inspectedsacrificed cattle had hepatic abscess, from which 18abscesses were in females [54.5%] and 15 abscesses werein male [45.5%]. Twenty three livers out of 33 infectedlivers had only one abscess [69.69%] and 10 livers had 2 ormore abscesses [30.30%]. Fusobacterium necrophorumwas isolated as unique bacterial cause of 21 hepaticabscesses [63.63%]andArcanobacteriumpyogenes wasisolated from only 9 abscesses [27.27%].The results of the present study showed that Rnecrophorum is the most important bacterial cause ofhepatic abscesses in cattle in shahrekord. FurthermoneArcanobacterium pyogenes isthesecond importantbacterial cause of hepatic abscesses

effects of oral administration of ascorbic acid on serum gamma globulin concentrations of neonatal calves

The effect of ascorbic acid [vitamin C] on the immune system is well-known. Ascorbic acid stimulates either humoral or cell-mediated immunity in many species. This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of oral administration of ascorbic acid on serum gamma-globulin concentration of colostrum-fed newborn calves. During a cold winter season, 20 dairy Holstein calves from a group of 40 calves were supplemented with ascorbic acid from birth to 3 weeks of age [treatment]. The other 20 calves did not receive any ascorbic acid supplementation [control]. Ascorbic acid was administered per os and treatment was as follows: 3 g/day for the first week, 2 g/day for the second week, and 1 g/day for the third week. All calves were housed in elevated metal pens during the winter and at low temperature from birth to 60 days of age. Serum samples were collected immediately after birth, before taking colostrum and on the 2nd, 14th and 28th days of age via jugular vein. There was no significant difference in serum-gamma globulin concentrations for the two groups before taking colostrum and at 2 and 14 days of age. The serum gamma-globulin concentration of the supplemented group at 28 days of age was significantly higher than that of calves not receiving ascorbic acid. The results of the present study showed that oral administration of ascorbic acid increases gamma-globulin concentration of neonatal calf serum

[ study on the presence of Escherichia coli, Coccidia and Cryptosporidium in stool samples of under one month age diarrheic calves in Ghaernshahr and Babol and antibiotic sensitivity of isolates]

Objective: study on the presence of Escherichia coli, Coccidia and Cryptosporidium in stool samples of neonatal diarrheic calves in Ghaemshahr and Babol, simultaneous shedding of Coccidia and Cvyptosporidium with Escherichia coli in these calves, serotyping of Escherichia coli, comparison of antibiotic sensitivity of K99+ and other serotypes of Escherichia coli

Animals: ninety three diarrheic neonatal calves [under one month]

Procedure: taking stool sample from rectum of the diarrheic calves, using standard methods for detection of Coccidia and Cryptosporidium, isolation of Escherichia coli canied out by using standard bacteriological methods and serotyping and antibiotic sensitivity test of isolates

Statistical analysis: results were reported by descriptive scales

Results: Escherichia coli were isolated from 40.8% of diarrheic calves from which only one isolate were K99+ [1.07%]. In 12 samples two pathogens have been diagnosed simultaneously which in 6 samples E. coli and Coccidia [6.4%] and 6 samples E. coli and Cryptosporidium [6.4%] have been isolated. Isolated Escherichia coli were resistant to many antibiotics which routinely used in treatment of diarrhea and there was no significant difference between K99+ and other isolates of Escherichia coli in antibiotic sensitivity test

Clinical implications: from the results of this study it seems that K99+ Escherichia coli is not a common isolate in neonatal diarrheic calves in Ghaemshahr and Babol