Neonatal morbidity and mortality of 31 calves derived from somatic cloning.

BACKGROUND: The neonatal period is associated with high morbidity and mortality in cloned calves. OBJECTIVE: To describe morbidity and mortality in cloned calves from birth to 2 years of age. ANIMALS: Thirty-one somatic cell-derived Holstein calves delivered at a veterinary teaching hospital. METHODS: Medical files were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Four calves were stillborn. Five calves born alive had physical congenital defects. Twenty-three calves had an enlarged umbilical cord. Laboratory abnormalities included acidemia, respiratory acidosis, hyperlactatemia, anemia, stress leukogram, decreased total protein, albumin and globulins, and increased creatinine. Twenty-five calves survived the 1st hour of life. Among them, 11 stood without assistance within 6 hours of birth, 10 calves took longer than 6 hours to stand, and 4 never stood. Twenty-two calves suffered from anorexia. Twelve calves had complications arising from umbilical cord infections. Three calves developed idiopathic hyperthermia (>40°C). Eight calves suffered from gastrointestinal problems, including ruminal distension, abomasal ulcers, neonatal enteritis, intussusception, and abomasal displacement. Mortality between birth and 3 weeks of age was 32% (10/31). Causes of death and reasons for euthanasia included stillbirths, respiratory failure, and limb deformities. Mortality between 3 weeks and 2 years of age was 19% (4/21), with deaths in this group attributed to generalized peritonitis and complications arising from umbilical infections. Overall, mortality rate within 2 years of age was 14/31 (45%). CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Respiratory problems, limb deformities, and umbilical infections were the most common causes of morbidity and mortality in these cloned calves.

Respiratory disease in neonatal cloned calves.

BACKGROUND: Numerous clinical abnormalities occur in cloned calves during the neonatal period. OBJECTIVES: Describe respiratory diseases affecting cloned calves. ANIMALS: Twenty-five cloned Holstein calves. METHODS: Retrospective clinical study of the cloned calves born at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC. RESULTS: Records of 31 cloned calves were reviewed. Twenty-five records were included. Four stillborn calves and 2 calves euthanized at birth were excluded. Twenty-two calves suffered from respiratory diseases. Nineteen calves received intranasal oxygen treatment (INO). They were tachypneic (78 breaths per minute) and 5 of them were hypoxemic (PaO2 < 55 mmHg). Two of 19 calves remained hypoxemic despite INO. Thirteen calves were weaned from INO after a median of 70 hours and were discharged at a median of 5 days of age. Nine calves required ventilatory support: 3 from birth and 6 after INO. Five were successfully weaned from the ventilator after a median of 32 hours and were discharged at a median of 8 days of age. Three calves died and 1 was euthanized because of respiratory disease. Necropsy revealed atelectasis, pulmonary congestion, and alveolar damages. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Respiratory disease occurs frequently in cloned calves. The most frequent abnormality is hypoxemia because of V/Q mismatch. It is possible to successfully support these calves by INO and mechanical ventilation.