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Calf feeding protocol can help reduce respiratory disease

A University of Wisconsin veterinarian says there are things calf managers can do to prevent respiratory disease.  Dr. Theresa Ollivett told a recent Professional Dairy Producers conference that in young dairy calves, bacteria is more of a problem than viruses as a cause of pneumonia.

Ollivett says aspiration of milk or breathing in the liquid they’re drinking, sets the calf up for respiratory disease.

Ollivett says one step farmers can take is to do a better job of managing bottle nipples.  She says a bottle with too big of an opening allows the calf to take in milk too quickly and possibly allow milk into their windpipe.  Ollivett says if there’s more than an occasional drip while holding the bottle upside down, it’s time to replace the nipple.

Ollivett says making those calves drink a bit slower with a properly working nipple also helps their G-I tract and gives them better digestibility.  She says feeders should also be careful not to hold the bottles too high to prevent aspiration.

Ollivett says cattle might recover from pneumonia and other respiratory issues, but it usually impacts their future milk production, so preventing problems can save a lot of money later.

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