A regular, stringent health check of young calves is of vital importance; early detection and immediate action will prevent diseases, accelerate the healing process and limit the hazard of spreading diseases.
Points
In general pay attention to the following points:
- Appetite
- Activity, liveliness
- Breathing: coughing, wheezing
- Secretion of nasal mucous, running eyes
- Odour coming from nose and mouth
- Consistency, colour and odour of faeces
- Hair coat
- Condition of joints and navel
Body temperature
Always check the body temperature and record this if any deviations are found. Body temperature normally lies between 38.5 and 39.2°C. A temperature of between 39.2 and 39.5°C is high, and if it is above 39.5°C the animal has a fever.
Attention: body temperature is age-related.
Where the cause of death of a calf is unknown, a post-mortem may be carried out on the calf, in consultation with a veterinary surgeon.
Relation between age and body temperature
|
Age (weeks)
|
Body temperature (oC)
|
|
1 - 4
|
38.5 - 39.5
|
|
> 5
|
38.5 - 39.0
|
|
