The Relationship of Environment to Respiratory Disease in the Dairy Calf

Abstract

Veterinarians have diagnosed enteric and pneumonic diseases in cattle for many decades. Causative organisms have been isolated on numerous occasions. Histopathological studies reveal typical lesions associated with specific organisms. Antibiotic sensitivities are conducted and treatment is now routinely instituted on the basis of sensitivity tests. Vaccines are produced against specific viruses and / or bacteria. Regimes for treatment have been offered. However, in spite of our best efforts as professionals many diseases continue practically unabated. Evidence for this conclusion is drawn from the yearly mortality rate in dairy calves of 8-25% in the United States (Agriculture Statistics 1980).