Common Clinical Presentations and Diseases of Neonatal Ruminants and Camelids

摘要

Neonatal ruminants are vulnerable to illness and death. It is estimated that 5-10% of the calf crop and 15-20% of the lamb crop each year dies before weaning in the USA; the majority of these deaths happen during the first 3 days of life.3 A number offactors impact neonatal health, including the health and nutrition status of the dam in the periparturient period, events during labor and delivery, transfer of colostral immunity, management on the farm, and weather and other environmental factors. Sick ruminant and camelid neonates may have a variety of clinical signs. Some musculoskeletal congenital abnormalities may be easily identified at birth. Other problems can occur such as hypoxia, sepsis, pneumonia, gastrointestinal (GI) ulcers, abomasal bloat, and failure of passive immune transfer, and may not be readily recognized at first. Identifying risk factors and understanding how they lead to disease will help the veterinary technician or assistant to identify neonates at high risk of developing disease or of dying. Early diagnosis and treatment is important in giving the sick neonate the best possible chance at recovery.