title: A case study of respiratory disease in a veal calf operation.
abstract: An outbreak of respiratory disease occurred in a central Alberta veal operation, after production capacity had been increased fourfold. Mortality rate reached 24.6% despite agressive antibiotic therapy. A review of the records revealed a cyclical disease pattern in each room. Weekly cleaning of occupied calf rooms was correlated with the disease pattern. Aerosols generated by a high pressure sprayer appeared to trigger transmission of respiratory pathogens in malnourished neonatal calves.DISEASE OCCURRENCE DECREASED AND PROFITABILITY INCREASED SIXFOLD AFTER THE INTRODUCTION OF THE FOLLOWING MEASURES: 1) discontinuing the use of the high pressure washer in the occupied calf rooms, 2) feeding calves a better quality milk replacer with supplemental milk for the poorest calves, 3) sale-yard calf purchases were abandoned in favor of direct buying.
authors.forename: N P
authors.initials: NP
authors.lastname: Palechek
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schoonderwoerd
authors.forename: A W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Perry