Veterinaria

Review Article

Challenges due to early calf mortality in dairy industry of Pakistan and strategies for improvement

Muhammad Hassan Mushtaq a*, Muhammad Nasir Saleem a, Rana Muhammad Ayyub b, Irfan Khattak a

a Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Lahore. Pakistan

b Department of Economics and business management, University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan

Abstract

This article is specifically related to the mortality occurring during the early months of life in calves. New born calves are more susceptible to diseases and infections. Period from birth to weaning is very critical because of following reasons; Active immunity develops at the age of 60 days, new born calf need required quantity of colostrum having adequate amount of immunoglobulin within 12hrs, calf need readily available carbohydrates and need environment that can maintain their body temperature soon after birth. Some suggestion about strategies to control early calf mortality are presented as; clinical examination of the neonate is similar as done in adult animals but some additional careful examination is also needed, which involve congenital defects and diseases. There is a great risk that neonate may face infectious disease, dehydration and death. So the clinical examination and treatment should be done carefully and as early as possible. There is a great importance of supportive therapy to control mortality in calves that involves fluid therapy, electrolytes and energy. For a profitable dairy business biosecurity measures, prophylactic measures and nutrition should be a part of dairy management particularly in context of early calf mortality.

Keywords: Calf, Mortality, Diary industry, strategies.

Received June 05, 2013; Revised August 12, 2013; Accepted September 04, 2013

*Corresponding author: Muhammad Hassan Mushtaq; Email: hassan.mushtaq@uvas.edu.pk