Descriptive Epidemiology of Chronic Disease of Calves in a Western Canadian Feedlot
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21423/aabppro20005394Keywords:
antibiotic therapy, chronic disease, morbidity, days on feed, weight change, bovine virus diarrhea virus, Mycoplasma bovisAbstract
A pattern of chronic disease has been recognized in fall-placed, weaned beef calves in western Canadian feedlots. Affected calves become "non-responders" to antibiotic therapy, with weight loss, chronic pyrexia and/or lameness. These calves are moved to a chronic pen for a period of convalescence. This study is describes this pattern of chronic disease in terms of morbidity, days on feed, weight change, and mortality. Its second objective is to determine the association between bovine virus diarrhea virus (BVDV) and Mycoplasma bovis infection and chronic pneumonia and/or polyarthritis in feedlot calves.