The impact of dystocia on dairy calf health, welfare, performance and survival

A. C. Barrier; M. J. Haskell; S. Birch; A. Bagnall; D. J. Bell; J. Dickinson; A. I. Macrae; C. M. Dwyer

doi:10.1016/j.tvjl.2012.07.031

The impact of dystocia on dairy calf health, welfare, performance and survival

A. C. Barrier, M. J. Haskell, S. Birch, A. Bagnall, D. J. Bell, J. Dickinson, A. I. Macrae, C. M. Dwyer

Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract / Description of output

Up to one-third of dairy calves are born after dystocia and this is a major cause of calf mortality. This study investigated the neonatal physiology, survival, health and subsequent growth of dairy calves following dystocia and is the first longitudinal study to analyse multiple effects and to look beyond the perinatal period. A total of 455 live born Holstein calves (N: No assistance, n=360; FN: Farmer assistance but normally presented calf, n=82; FM: Farmer assistance of malpresented calf, n=13) were followed from birth to first service (heifers) or until leaving the farm (bulls). Compared to N calves, FN and FM animals had higher salivary cortisol concentrations at day 1 (P0.05). During the first 60days, FM calves had a higher proportion of days with non-routine health treatments (P0.05). Calves which survive dystocia experience lower passive immunity transfer, higher mortality and higher indicators of physiological stress. Such calves have poorer welfare in the neonatal period and possibly beyond. Strategies need to be implemented to improve the subsequent health and welfare of such calves and to lower the incidence of dystocia.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	86-90
Journal	Veterinary Journal
Volume	195
Issue number	1
Early online date	19 Sept 2012
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2012.07.031
Publication status	Published - 2013

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10.1016/j.tvjl.2012.07.031

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1090023312003413

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@article{a5c0b3489731486fa082ea44dbc432cd,

title = "The impact of dystocia on dairy calf health, welfare, performance and survival",

abstract = "Up to one-third of dairy calves are born after dystocia and this is a major cause of calf mortality. This study investigated the neonatal physiology, survival, health and subsequent growth of dairy calves following dystocia and is the first longitudinal study to analyse multiple effects and to look beyond the perinatal period. A total of 455 live born Holstein calves (N: No assistance, n=360; FN: Farmer assistance but normally presented calf, n=82; FM: Farmer assistance of malpresented calf, n=13) were followed from birth to first service (heifers) or until leaving the farm (bulls). Compared to N calves, FN and FM animals had higher salivary cortisol concentrations at day 1 (P0.05). During the first 60days, FM calves had a higher proportion of days with non-routine health treatments (P0.05). Calves which survive dystocia experience lower passive immunity transfer, higher mortality and higher indicators of physiological stress. Such calves have poorer welfare in the neonatal period and possibly beyond. Strategies need to be implemented to improve the subsequent health and welfare of such calves and to lower the incidence of dystocia.",

author = "Barrier, {A. C.} and Haskell, {M. J.} and S. Birch and A. Bagnall and Bell, {D. J.} and J. Dickinson and Macrae, {A. I.} and Dwyer, {C. M.}",

note = "Barrier, A C Haskell, M J Birch, S Bagnall, A Bell, D J Dickinson, J Macrae, A I Dwyer, C M Vet J. 2012 Sep 14. pii: S1090-0233(12)00341-3. doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2012.07.031.",

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AU - Barrier, A. C.

AU - Haskell, M. J.

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AU - Bagnall, A.

AU - Bell, D. J.

AU - Dickinson, J.

AU - Macrae, A. I.

AU - Dwyer, C. M.

N1 - Barrier, A C Haskell, M J Birch, S Bagnall, A Bell, D J Dickinson, J Macrae, A I Dwyer, C M Vet J. 2012 Sep 14. pii: S1090-0233(12)00341-3. doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2012.07.031.

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N2 - Up to one-third of dairy calves are born after dystocia and this is a major cause of calf mortality. This study investigated the neonatal physiology, survival, health and subsequent growth of dairy calves following dystocia and is the first longitudinal study to analyse multiple effects and to look beyond the perinatal period. A total of 455 live born Holstein calves (N: No assistance, n=360; FN: Farmer assistance but normally presented calf, n=82; FM: Farmer assistance of malpresented calf, n=13) were followed from birth to first service (heifers) or until leaving the farm (bulls). Compared to N calves, FN and FM animals had higher salivary cortisol concentrations at day 1 (P0.05). During the first 60days, FM calves had a higher proportion of days with non-routine health treatments (P0.05). Calves which survive dystocia experience lower passive immunity transfer, higher mortality and higher indicators of physiological stress. Such calves have poorer welfare in the neonatal period and possibly beyond. Strategies need to be implemented to improve the subsequent health and welfare of such calves and to lower the incidence of dystocia.

AB - Up to one-third of dairy calves are born after dystocia and this is a major cause of calf mortality. This study investigated the neonatal physiology, survival, health and subsequent growth of dairy calves following dystocia and is the first longitudinal study to analyse multiple effects and to look beyond the perinatal period. A total of 455 live born Holstein calves (N: No assistance, n=360; FN: Farmer assistance but normally presented calf, n=82; FM: Farmer assistance of malpresented calf, n=13) were followed from birth to first service (heifers) or until leaving the farm (bulls). Compared to N calves, FN and FM animals had higher salivary cortisol concentrations at day 1 (P0.05). During the first 60days, FM calves had a higher proportion of days with non-routine health treatments (P0.05). Calves which survive dystocia experience lower passive immunity transfer, higher mortality and higher indicators of physiological stress. Such calves have poorer welfare in the neonatal period and possibly beyond. Strategies need to be implemented to improve the subsequent health and welfare of such calves and to lower the incidence of dystocia.

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DO - 10.1016/j.tvjl.2012.07.031

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SN - 1090-0233

VL - 195

SP - 86

EP - 90

JO - Veterinary Journal

JF - Veterinary Journal

IS - 1

ER -

The impact of dystocia on dairy calf health, welfare, performance and survival

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