Evaluating the effectiveness of a single application of 7% iodine tincture umbilical dip as a prevention of infection of the external umbilical structures in dairy calves.

The objective of this randomized clinical trial was to evaluate the effectiveness of a single application of 7% iodine tincture-based umbilical dip for preventing infection of the external umbilical structures in dairy calves. Five dairy farms in southern Ontario were visited twice weekly from September 2020 through June 2021. Female (n = 244) and male (n = 40) Holstein calves were randomly assigned at birth to receive either a 7% iodine tincture-based umbilical dip (n = 140) or no treatment (n = 144). Calves in the 7% iodine tincture umbilical dip group had the product administered once by the producer shortly after birth. For each newborn calf, the experimental group, calving difficulty, volume and timing of colostrum administration, time of birth, calving pen cleanliness, and the dam ID were recorded. Calf body weight was recorded during the first visit after birth, and a blood sample was collected for measurement of serum IgG concentration. Calves were health scored twice weekly from enrollment until approximately 30 d of age for assessment of external umbilical infection, joint inflammation, respiratory disease, and diarrhea. The primary outcome of the study was external umbilical infection, which was defined as an enlarged umbilicus with pain, heat, or a malodorous discharge. Calves were also weighed at 30 and 60 d to determine average daily gain. Serum IgG concentration and birth weight did not differ significantly between groups. Twenty-nine calves (20%) in the umbilical dip group developed an external umbilical infections, compared with 31 calves (22%) in the control group. A mixed logistic regression model, accounting for farm as a random effect, showed no effect of treatment on the incidence of an external umbilical infection. However, for every additional hour that calves received colostrum after birth, the odds of developing an external umbilical infection increased during the first month of life (odds ratio = 1.15; 95% confidence interval: 1.04-1.26). Additionally, treatment had no effect on respiratory disease, joint inflammation, diarrhea, average daily gain, or mortality, compared with the untreated control. These findings suggest that administering a single application of 7% iodine tincture dip to the umbilicus around the time of birth may not be effective for preventing external umbilical infections. Farm-level management factors, including colostrum management, appear to have more influence on risk of this disease.

Buyer beware! Disease testing newly arrived cattle to dairy farms in Ontario.

The objective of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the presence of infectious disease in newly arrived cattle on dairy farms in Ontario. Cattle that were more than 2 years old and arrived at dairy farms within the previous year were tested. A total 321 cattle from 56 dairy farms were sampled and had blood submitted to a diagnostic laboratory. Of all sampled cattle, 0.0%, 39.6%, 2.2%, and 1.3% tested positive for Anaplasma, bovine leukemia virus, Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis, and Salmonella Dublin, respectively. Based on these results, it is imperative that dairy producers are vigilant to ensure they do not purchase animals with these important and untreatable infectious diseases.

Acheteur prenez garde! Dépistage des maladies des bovins nouvellement arrivés dans les fermes laitières de l'Ontario. L'objectif de cette étude transversale était d'évaluer la présence de maladies infectieuses chez les bovins nouvellement arrivés dans les fermes laitières de l'Ontario. Les bovins âgés de plus de 2 ans et arrivés dans les fermes laitières au cours de l'année précédente ont été testés. Au total, 321 bovins provenant de 56 fermes laitières ont été échantillonnés et leur sang a été soumis à un laboratoire de diagnostic. De tous les bovins échantillonnés, 0,0 %, 39,6 %, 2,2 % et 1,3 % ont été testés positifs pour Anaplasma, le virus de la leucémie bovine, Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis et Salmonella Dublin, respectivement. Sur la base de ces résultats, il est impératif que les producteurs laitiers soient vigilants pour s'assurer qu'ils n'achètent pas d'animaux atteints de ces maladies infectieuses importantes et incurables.(Traduit par Dr Serge Messier).