How to Prevent Five Common Diseases in Newborn Calves — Practical Tips from RATO AI

When a newborn calf leaves the mother’s uterus and enters the external environment, its living conditions and lifestyle change dramatically. During this transition period, the calf is very vulnerable to various diseases. Proper newborn calf care is essential for improving survival rates and overall health.

Here are five common health risks in newborn calves and effective prevention and treatment methods.

1️⃣ Prevent Calf Asphyxia (“False Death”)

Due to prolonged labor, unruptured fetal membranes, or breech presentation, the calf may suffer from asphyxia — appearing lifeless but still having a weak heartbeat.
Emergency treatment:
Lift the hindquarters of the calf, clear mucus and amniotic fluid from the mouth and nostrils using gauze, and insert a rubber tube with a suction bulb into the nasal cavity to remove residual fluids. Then lay the calf flat and rhythmically press its chest and abdomen to stimulate heartbeat and breathing. Use respiratory stimulants or cardiac agents if necessary.

2️⃣ Prevent Umbilical Bleeding

After birth, the calf’s cardiac function changes, which may delay the closure of the umbilical vein, leading to bleeding.
If this occurs, re-tie the umbilical cord and disinfect the end with iodine. When the cord is too short and retracts into the navel, use sterile gauze to pack and press the area to stop the bleeding before suturing the navel.

3️⃣ Prevent Umbilical Cord Infection (Navel Ill)

Improper disinfection during umbilical cutting or cross-licking among calves can cause umbilical cord infections.
At the early stage, disinfect the navel area with iodine and inject antibiotics. Systemic antibacterial treatment can also be applied.
If an abscess forms, perform a small incision to release pus, apply anti-inflammatory powder, wash with antiseptic solution, and protect the area with a sterile bandage.

4️⃣ Prevent Constipation

Calf constipation usually occurs when a calf does not pass feces within 24 hours of birth, showing signs of anxiety, sweating, loss of appetite, and an increased heart rate.
To prevent it, ensure the calf drinks colostrum early.
For treatment, use warm soapy water enemas to soften the stool, followed by vegetable oil or liquid paraffin (300 ml) rectal infusion. Additionally, massage and warm the abdomen to relieve discomfort.

5️⃣ Prevent Diarrhea

Calf diarrhea depends on the degree of microbial infection, immunity level, and environmental hygiene. Escherichia coli is the most common cause.
For treatment, administer isotonic fluids subcutaneously three times daily to correct dehydration. To prevent secondary infections, use gentamicin or ampicillin as advised by a veterinarian.
Prevention focuses on feeding sufficient colostrum and maintaining clean, dry housing conditions to reduce bacterial contamination.

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Healthy calf rearing begins from the first minute after birth. Strengthening disease prevention, ensuring proper disinfection, and maintaining clean, warm housing conditions are the keys to reducing mortality and improving the long-term productivity of the herd.

At RATO AI, we are committed to providing advanced livestock breeding technology, including artificial insemination equipment, estrus detection systems, and veterinary tools — helping farmers around the world achieve smarter, more efficient animal production.