Incidence of diarrhea among calves after strict closure and eradication of bovine viral diarrhea virus infection in a dairy herd.

摘要

448 calves were used to determine whether strict closure of a dairy herd and eradication of bovine diarrhoea virus (BDV) infection can decrease incidence of diarrhoea during the first 31 days of age. Faecal samples were tested for rotavirus, blood samples were tested for BDV and antibodies to BDV, and serum samples were tested for lgG concentration. Risk factors were evaluated by means of survival analysis. Incidence of diarrhoea in calves decreased significantly after strict closure of the herd and eradication of BDV infection. Risk factors for diarrhoea in calves interacted in a multifactorial way. Rotavirus infection and low serum lgG concentration increased the risk of diarrhoea. Calves that developed diarrhoea gained significantly less weightthan healthy calves. It is concluded that strict herd closure, eradication of BDV, prevention of rotavirus infection and appropriate feeding of colostrum after birth can help to control diarrhoea in calves.