Abstract
Newborn calves are born devoid of any significant resistance to the common calfhood pathogens. To attain a sufficient level of resistance, calves have to suckle or be fed maximum quantities of their dam’s colostrum as soon after birth as possible. The immunoglobulins from the colostrum are absorbed intact through the calf’s intestinal epithelial cells. If they absorb enough immunoglobulins, they will probably become resistant to the effects of neonatal calf diarrhea, the major hazard calves face during the first month of life. Colostrum may also afford some protection against the other major calf problem, pneumonia, which commonly causes illness between one and six months, particularly in more intensive units.
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© 1981 Martinus Nijhoff Publishers, The Hague
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Selman, I.E. (1981). The Care of Young Calves, Neonatal Calf Diarrhea, the Calf Pneumonias. In: Ristic, M., McIntyre, W.I.M. (eds) Diseases of Cattle in the Tropics. Current Topics in Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, vol 6. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-9034-3_39
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-9034-3_39
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