Association of hematologic variables and castration status at the time of arrival at a research facility with the risk of bovine respiratory disease in beef calves

John T. Richeson Department of Agricultural Sciences, College of Agriculture, Science and Engineering, West Texas A&M University, Canyon, TX 79016.

Search for other papers by John T. Richeson in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
 PhD
,
Pablo J. Pinedo Texas A&M AgriLife Research & Extension Center, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University System, Amarillo, TX 79106.

Search for other papers by Pablo J. Pinedo in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
 DMV, PhD
,
Elizabeth B. Kegley Department of Animal Science, Division of Agriculture, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701.

Search for other papers by Elizabeth B. Kegley in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
 PhD
,
Jeremy G. Powell Department of Animal Science, Division of Agriculture, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701.

Search for other papers by Jeremy G. Powell in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
 DVM, PhD
,
M. Shane Gadberry Department of Animal Science, Division of Agriculture, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701.

Search for other papers by M. Shane Gadberry in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
 PhD
,
Paul A. Beck Department of Animal Science, Division of Agriculture, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701.

Search for other papers by Paul A. Beck in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
 PhD
, and
Shollie M. Falkenberg Ruminant Diseases and Immunology Research Unit, National Animal Disease Center, Agricultural Research Service, USDA, 2300 Dayton Ave, Ames, IA 50010.

Search for other papers by Shollie M. Falkenberg in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
 PhD

Abstract

Objective—To determine the association of CBC variables and castration status at the time of arrival at a research facility with the risk of development of bovine respiratory disease (BRD).

Design—Retrospective cohort study.

Animals—1,179 crossbred beef bull (n = 588) and steer (591) calves included in 4 experiments at 2 University of Arkansas research facilities.

Procedures—Calves underwent processing and treatments in accordance with the experiment in which they were enrolled. Castration status and values of CBC variables were determined at the time of arrival at the facilities. Calves were monitored to detect signs of BRD during a 42-day period.

Results—The areas under the receiving operator characteristic curves for CBC variables with significant contrast test results ranged from 0.51 (neutrophil count) to 0.67 (eosinophil count), indicating they were limited predictors of BRD in calves. The only CBC variables that had significant associations with BRD in calves as determined via multivariable logistic regression analysis were eosinophil and RBC counts. The odds of BRD for bulls were 3.32 times the odds of BRD for steers.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results of this study indicated that low eosinophil and high RBC counts in blood samples may be useful for identification of calves with a high risk for development of BRD. Further research may be warranted to validate these variables for prediction of BRD in calves. Calves that were bulls at the time of arrival had a higher risk of BRD, versus calves that were steers at that time.

Abstract

Objective—To determine the association of CBC variables and castration status at the time of arrival at a research facility with the risk of development of bovine respiratory disease (BRD).

Design—Retrospective cohort study.

Animals—1,179 crossbred beef bull (n = 588) and steer (591) calves included in 4 experiments at 2 University of Arkansas research facilities.

Procedures—Calves underwent processing and treatments in accordance with the experiment in which they were enrolled. Castration status and values of CBC variables were determined at the time of arrival at the facilities. Calves were monitored to detect signs of BRD during a 42-day period.

Results—The areas under the receiving operator characteristic curves for CBC variables with significant contrast test results ranged from 0.51 (neutrophil count) to 0.67 (eosinophil count), indicating they were limited predictors of BRD in calves. The only CBC variables that had significant associations with BRD in calves as determined via multivariable logistic regression analysis were eosinophil and RBC counts. The odds of BRD for bulls were 3.32 times the odds of BRD for steers.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results of this study indicated that low eosinophil and high RBC counts in blood samples may be useful for identification of calves with a high risk for development of BRD. Further research may be warranted to validate these variables for prediction of BRD in calves. Calves that were bulls at the time of arrival had a higher risk of BRD, versus calves that were steers at that time.

All Time Past Year Past 30 Days
Abstract Views 219 0 0
Full Text Views 1817 1426 79
PDF Downloads 280 120 8
Advertisement