The rearing of calves is a difficult period for farmers due to health problems to which the animals are prone this time. Since the use of antibiotics as growth promoters has been forbidden, various innovative feed additives have been tested in many countries around the world.

Introduction: This article presents the analysis of the correlation between the category and health status of calves and the results of their rearing and levels of selected blood parameters.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of vitamin C supplementation on blood oxidative stress biomarkers and antibody response to vaccination in calves.

The pharmacokinetic profile of ceftiofur sodium, a third generation cephalosporin, was studied in both Friesian and buffalo calves following a single intravenous and intramuscular administration of 2.2 mg kg-1 b.wt. in a cross over study with 15-day wash out period. After i.v administration the serum concentration-time curve of ceftiofur sodium was best fitted using two-compartments open model, with distribution half-lives (t½(()) of 0.384 and 0.176 h., elimination half-lives (t½(0)) of 5.047 and 1.607 h., mean residence time (MRT) of 6.926 and 2.072 h., volumes of distribution at steady-state (Vdss) of 0.206 and 0.134 L kg-1 and total body clearance (ClB) of 0.029 and 0.065 L kg-1 h-1 in Friesian and buffalo calves, respectively. Following intramuscular administration, the drug absorbed with half-lives of absorption (t½(ab)) of 1.010 and 0.217 h., maximum serum concentrations (Cmax) of 5.539 and 9.663 g ml-1 which attained after (tmax) of 3.147 and 0.825 h. and the drug was eliminated with half-lives (t½(el)) of 5.239 and 1.750 h. in Friesian and buffalo calves, respectively. The systemic intramuscular bioavailabilities were 89.82 and 99.7 %, while the in-vitro serum proteinbinding tendencies were 39.68 and 14.44 % in Friesian and buffalo calves, respectively

Musculoskeletal system deformities were observed in 24 (34.3%) of 70 neonatal dairy calves that presented with different congenital abnormalities. Among them, 19 calves (27.1%), the majority of which were crossbred Jersey calves of either gender with mean (± s.e.) body weight 22.00 kg ± 1.17 kg and aged 7.11 ± 1.16 days, were presented for treatment of congenital knuckling. Five of the knuckling calves had additional concurrent congenital conditions and were excluded from the present study. All of the remaining 14 calves showing moderate, bilateral fetlock knuckling had a wooden or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) splint applied to the palmar or plantar aspect of the affected limbs. All of the animals received a dose of the analgesic tolfenamic acid intramuscularly, and were randomly allocated to two equal groups. Calves of Group I additionally received oxytetracycline (20 mg/kg intravenous daily for 3 days). The condition resolved satisfactorily in 83.3% and 80.0% calves from the two groups, respectively. The left and right fetlock angle (mean ± SE) reduced significantly (p ≤ 0.01) from 50.57° ± 4.20° to 4.00° ± 2.27° and 48.71° ± 2.37° to 5.33° ± 3.03°, respectively in animals of Group I. In Group II calves, the angles showed reduction from 50.86° ± 2.94° to 4.20° ± 2.75° and from 48.71° ± 3.14° to 6.80° ± 3.34°, respectively. From the present study, it was concluded that bilateral moderate fetlock knuckling in the neonatal dairy calves can be managed satisfactorily with early application of splints. Supplementary use of oxytetracycline at repeated doses of low toxicity had only a marginally beneficial effect.

The dynamics of some serum mineral concentrations during the first weeks of life of native and crossbred newborn calves in Assiut governorate were investigated. Blood samples of 25 Balady and 25 crossbred (Friesian x native) male calves were investigated. Blood was drawn from calves at 1, 7, 14 and 21 days after parturition. Serum levels of calcium (Ca), phosphorous (P), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), chloride (Cl), potassium (K), iron (Fe), Copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) were monitored. Levels of Ca, P, Fe, Cu and Zn increased (P < 0.05) in relation to age of Balady and crossbred calves when compared by the day 1 of age. In contrast, decreased in concentrations of Na and Cl (P < 0.05) in relation to age of Balady and crossbred calves when compared by the day 1 of age were detected whereas Mg and K values remained unchanged. Native calves had higher (P < 0.05) Ca, P and Fe in the 7th day than crossbred calves whereas Na and Cl were higher (P < 0.05) in native calves than crossbred calves at the first day after birth. Results from this study suggested that breed and age may play an important role in mineral homeostasis during the first weeks of life in the newly borne bovine calves.

A clinical study was conducted under field condition during the period from January 2005 to December 2008 in Beni-Suef province on a total number of 15 calves suffered from congenital penile urethral dilatation at the perineal region. The affection was diagnosed and treated surgically under field condition and treatment included perineal urethrostomy (8 calves) and partial resection of penis including the dilated urethra (7 calves). Results revealed that duration of surgery for urethrostomy was shorter (mean 36.25 minutes) than penile resection (mean 85.71 minutes), bleeding was so extensive in penile resection group than urethrostomy one and cost of surgery was lower for urethrostomy than penile resection but aftercare cost was twice that of penile resection. Complications were higher in urethrostomy group, recovery period was nearly the same in both groups (14.37 and 14.28 days), mean body gain was higher in penile resection group (82 kg) than urethrostomy group (77.14 kg), and both groups considered of low quality animals at market as a result of loss of breeding capability and presence of urine scald. It could be concluded that both techniques are satisfactory but partial penile resection including the dilated urethra is superior to urethrostomy despite the higher cost and invasive surgical procedure.

Objective: The research was conducted to study the effect of a complex antimicrobial drug with an anti-inflammatory effect and an antimicrobial drug with an immunostimulating effect on the parameters of nonspecific resistance in calves. Materials and Methods: Two groups (n = 5 each) of sick calves with respiratory pathology were selected for this study. For the treatment of the first experimental group, a complex antimicrobial drug Sulfetrisan® was used. The second experimental group of the calves was intramuscularly injected with the experimental drug gentaaminoseleferon (GIA). To assess the cellular component of immunity in the blood before and after treatment, the number of white blood cells, T-lymphocytes, B-lymphocytes, phagocytic activity of leukocytes, phagocytic number, and phagocytic index (PhI) were determined. In addition, for assessing the humoral component, serum complement activity (SCA), serum lysozyme activity, serum bactericidal activity (SBA), circulating immune complexes (CIC), and total immunoglobulins (total Ig) were measured. The results were compared with the baseline parameters of healthy calves of the control group. Results: When studying the parameters of the humoral and cellular components of nonspecific resistance, it was found that in sick animals, compared with healthy ones, respiratory pathology was accompanied by an imbalance in the immune system. In the process of recovery in animals of the experimental groups under the effect of the drugs, positive changes occurred. However, many of the studied parameters did not reach the values of healthy animals. In the group of calves that received GIA, compared with the calves given Sulfetrisan®, a significant increase in PhI (p < 0.05), SBA (p < 0.006), SCA (p < 0.05), total Ig (p < 0.0005), and CIC (p < 0.05) was observed, which indi¬cated an increase in natural resistance due to the immunostimulating action. Conclusion: The use of GIA in sick animals added to an increase in the general nonspecific cellular and humoral resistance of calves, which made it possible to increase therapeutic efficacy and shorten their recovery time. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2021; 8(3.000): 355-360]

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is one of the most serious diseases counted for economic loss and extensive usage of antibiotics in cattle. Ceftiofur, a third-generation cephalosporin antibiotic, has been approved for use in cattle in the United States. This study was done to investigate the clinical effect of ceftiofur on calves as well as its efficacy and safety for treating BRD. Thirty Holstein calves from a dairy farm were divided into three groups. Group I served as a health control group. Group II consisted of healthy animals while Group III comprised calves clinically diagnosed with BRD. Both groups II and III received a single subcutaneous injection of ceftiofur (2mg/kg B.W) in the ear. All groups were clinically evaluated at day 0, 7, and 14 after drug administration for illness score, body weight, body gain, feed intake, body temperature, depression score, discharges, ear and coughing score. Clinical illness score showed clear signs of BRD (elevation of body temperature and depression). Nasal and ocular discharges were recorded and ranked. Significant increases in ear and coughing score were observed in diseased calves.