Aetio-pathological studies of digestive and respiratory affections in cattle calves

Abstract

Aetio-pathological studies of digestive and respiratory affections was undertaken in cattle calves received for post mortem examination during a period of seven months (September, 2015 to March, 2016). Maximum age-wise mortality was noticed in age group of 1 to 3 months. Sex-wise mortality in cattle calves was more in females as compared to males. System-wise causes of death/mortality were highest due to combined involvement of both the digestive and respiratory systems. Pneumo-enteritis was the main affection noticed when there was combined involvement of both digestive and respiratory systems. Bacteriological studies of different samples collected from carcasses of cattle calves revealed that maximum bacterial species isolated was E. coli followed by Proteus spp., Klebsiella spp. and Staphyloccocus spp. Maximum number of bacteria species were isolated from intestine followed by lungs, heart blood and tracheal swab. The results of in-vitro drug sensitivity revealed that most of bacterial strains were sensitive to gentamycin and resistant to tetracycline. Examination of faecal samples of diarrhoeic/diseased and dead cattle calves revealed that Ascaris ova and Eimeria spp. was the major infection.