Incidence of diarrhea among calves after strict closure and eradication of bovine viral diarrhea virus infection in a dairy herd

Kerstin de Verdier Klingenberg From the Departments of Ruminant and Porcine Diseases (de Verdier Klingenberg, Alenius) and Disease Control and Biosecurity (Vågsholm), National Veterinary Institute, Box 7073, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden.

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Ivar Vågsholm From the Departments of Ruminant and Porcine Diseases (de Verdier Klingenberg, Alenius) and Disease Control and Biosecurity (Vågsholm), National Veterinary Institute, Box 7073, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden.

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Stefan Alenius From the Departments of Ruminant and Porcine Diseases (de Verdier Klingenberg, Alenius) and Disease Control and Biosecurity (Vågsholm), National Veterinary Institute, Box 7073, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden.

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Objective

To determine whether strict closure of a dairy herd and eradication of bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) infection would decrease incidence of diarrhea in calves during the first 31 days after birth, whether specific risk factors were associated with incidence of diarrhea in calves, and whether diarrhea was associated with weight gain of the calves.

Design

2-year cohort study.

Animals

448 calves.

Procedure

Calves were monitored from birth to 31 days of age. Fecal samples were tested for rotavirus, blood samples were tested for BVDV and antibodies to BVDV, and serum samples were tested for IgG concentration. Risk factors were evaluated by means of survival analysis.

Results

Incidence of diarrhea in calves decreased significantly after strict closure of the herd and eradication of BVDV infection. Risk factors for diarrhea in calves interacted in a multifactorial way. Rotavirus infection and low serum IgG concentration increased the risk that calves would develop diarrhea. Calves that developed diarrhea gained significantly less weight than calves that did not develop diarrhea.

Clinical Implications

To control diarrhea among calves in a dairy herd, emphasis should be on maintaining a strictly closed herd free from BVDV infection. However, other measures, such as measures to prevent rotavirus infection and to ensure that calves receive an appropriate amount of colostrum after birth, should also be taken. (J Am Vet Med Assoc 1999;214:1824-1828)

Objective

To determine whether strict closure of a dairy herd and eradication of bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) infection would decrease incidence of diarrhea in calves during the first 31 days after birth, whether specific risk factors were associated with incidence of diarrhea in calves, and whether diarrhea was associated with weight gain of the calves.

Design

2-year cohort study.

Animals

448 calves.

Procedure

Calves were monitored from birth to 31 days of age. Fecal samples were tested for rotavirus, blood samples were tested for BVDV and antibodies to BVDV, and serum samples were tested for IgG concentration. Risk factors were evaluated by means of survival analysis.

Results

Incidence of diarrhea in calves decreased significantly after strict closure of the herd and eradication of BVDV infection. Risk factors for diarrhea in calves interacted in a multifactorial way. Rotavirus infection and low serum IgG concentration increased the risk that calves would develop diarrhea. Calves that developed diarrhea gained significantly less weight than calves that did not develop diarrhea.

Clinical Implications

To control diarrhea among calves in a dairy herd, emphasis should be on maintaining a strictly closed herd free from BVDV infection. However, other measures, such as measures to prevent rotavirus infection and to ensure that calves receive an appropriate amount of colostrum after birth, should also be taken. (J Am Vet Med Assoc 1999;214:1824-1828)

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