A case of septicemia in a calf: why calves' management is so important at the farm

A 21 days old female Holstein Friesian calf was referred by the private veterinarian for the worsening clinical signs despite the therapy. The calf belonged to a farm with poor calves' management. At admission time, the calf presented severe depression, dehydration, positive Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome score and signs of septic shock. Increase lung sounds and watery diarrhea were detected. Laboratory analysis showed signs of septicemia. The calf died almost 12 hours after the admission. A diagnosis of neonatal septicemia has been confirmed by necropsy. The major critical points of this farm were the absence of colostrum and passive transfer of immunity management and the high prevalence of diarrhea (almost 92%) in pre-weaning calves. Both these concerning might predisposed calves to neonatal septicemia. The cleaning, steaming and disinfection of calf housing and calving pens was largely improved. More calf pens were added in order to decrease the animals density and a regular disinfection of utensils and an adequate and clean straw bedding was introduced in the daily management. The colostrum was checked with a Brix refractometry and the 21% has been considered the break point for high-quality (>50 g of IgG/L) maternal colostrum. The farmer was also advised to administer 4 L of colostrum 6 to 8 hours after birth. Every calf was checked for the immunity passive transfer by the evaluation of refractometric serum total protein. The incidence rate of diarrhea in pre-weaning calves decreased to 78% and no more cases of sepsis have been reported since 6 months. Improving the general calves' management at the farm would be essential for the prevention of septicemia in calves and related economical losses.