title: Abortion and calf mortality in Danish cattle herds.
abstract: The aetiology of abortions and calf mortality in 65 Danish cattle herds consisting of both dairy and beef breeds during a 1-year period is described. All observed aborted foetuses, still-born calves, and calves dying before 6 months of age were necropsied, and relevant microbiological examinations were performed. A total of 240 calves and 66 abortions were submitted corresponding to a calf mortality rate of 7%. The abortion frequency could not be calculated. 43% of the calves died at day 0, while 22% were aborted, 15% died during the first week of life, 9% died from 1 to 4 weeks of age, and 11% died at the age of 1 to 6 months. The most common cause was neonatal pulmonic atelectasis (stillbirth) followed by foetal infections, pneumonia, and septicaemia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Epidemiology, National Veterinary Laboratory, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Agerholm
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Basse
authors.forename: H V
authors.initials: HV
authors.lastname: Krogh
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Christensen
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rønsholt
mesh_terms: D000034:Abortion, Veterinary / Q000209:etiology*; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality*; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death / Q000662:veterinary; D007239:Infections / Q000401:mortality / Q000662:veterinary; D011247:Pregnancy