Valutazione di un protocollo gestionale e vaccinale per la prevenzione della diarrea neonatale del vitello

Neonatal calf diarrhoea is a complex disease mainly caused by Rotavirus, Coronavirus, Escherichia coli F5 and Cryptosporidium parvum. These pathogens are easily found within bovine faeces and environment which is littered with faeces could be a primary source of infection for calves. Often the animals grow up in farms with poor hygienic condition. The collection, management and administration of colostrum is another important aspect primary involved with neonatal calf diarrhoea development. Newborns in fact do not have immunoglobulins and they must take enough quantity of colostrum to ensure a correct supply of antibodies. The goal of this study was to evaluate an operational protocol for prevention of neonatal calf diarrhoea. Data concerning colostrum quality, administration and environment hygiene were collected from 40 farms. Calves serological IgG values were compared before and after the application of the protocol. For this evaluation data from 40 farms were collected. The assessment of clinical signs of diarrhoea and mortality were also performed. The majority of the calves did not have enough IgG levels (<1000mg/dl), meaning that the procedures of colostrum administration were not correctly performed. IgG serological levels reached values above 1000mg/dl in the majority of calves after the application of the measures provided in the protocol, as well as clinical signs and mortality decrease after the adoption of these procedures. In conclusion it was possible to demonstrate that the administration of colostrum is one of the most important aspect related to the development of neonatal calf diarrhoea. Immunization of dams with specific products against Rotavirus, Coronavirus and E. coli F5 can be an useful tool but it must be followed by a good management of colostrum and high level of environmental hygiene.