Risk Factors For, And Causes Of, Perinatal Calf Mortality And Implications For Calf Welfare

The perinatal period is the most hazardous in the life of all animals. More than 60% of producers have reported that most of their calf mortality occurs at birth. Calf mortality represents economic losses to the dairy industry due to delayed genetic progress, fewer replacements available for voluntary culling of the lactating herd, and increased cost of replacement. The main causes of perinatal morbidity and mortality are, in descending order of importance, combined respiratory and metabolic acidosis, parturient trauma, hypoglobulinemia, congenital infections and deficiencies, and omphalophlebitis. This indicates that farmers and their veterinarians need to focus on calving management when investigating such problems and when attempting to reduce losses in herds with high rates of bovine perinatal mortality. This paper discusses both the risk factors for, and the ultimate causes of, perinatal mortality and their effects on perinatal calf welfare, an underdocumented topic.