Contents
Young cattle are more susceptible to disease than adults. This is due to the fact that at an early stage of development, the immune system is not yet able to resist various pathogens. Therefore, every breeder should pay attention to warning signs in a timely manner. If the calf has snot, this symptom should not be ignored, as in some cases it can indicate a serious health problem.
List of reasons why a calf has snot
Various factors can provoke the appearance of this symptom. Therefore, before treating snot in a calf, you need to establish the main cause of their appearance. After all, the symptom does not always indicate a cold.
Allergy
Snot in a calf may be a reaction to an allergen. Most often this is due to the introduction of dietary supplements into the animal’s diet. To provoke the development of allergies can:
- high concentration of protein in feed;
- soy milk replacer;
- poor quality food.
Such a reaction in a calf can also develop to drugs that have been used to treat another disease. As well as insect repellent and care products.
It is possible to determine what is an allergen only thanks to the personal observations of the breeder. Therefore, the veterinarian first of all asks the owner what changes in the conditions of keeping and nutrition have occurred, after which the calf has snot.
Additional signs of allergy can confirm the diagnosis, such as:
- small rash;
- tongue coating;
- diarrhea or constipation;
- swelling of the skin.
Food allergies are common in cattle
Diseases of the respiratory tract
Snot in a calf may indicate an upper respiratory tract infection. Any delay will greatly complicate the situation. Therefore, first of all, you need to call a veterinarian who will confirm or refute the fears.
Bronchopneumonia
This disease is typical for calves of the first year of life. According to statistics, it is diagnosed in 25-30% of young animals. Most often, bronchopneumonia develops during the period of weaning, fattening, rearing. Lack of timely treatment can lead to irreversible consequences.
With bronchopneumonia, the bronchi and lungs are initially affected, in which serous exudate accumulates. As a result, this is manifested by a runny nose and cough.
The main provoking factors:
- cold;
- stress;
- lack of vitamin A;
- lack of walking;
- abrupt change in temperature.
Only a specialist can establish an accurate diagnosis based on clinical signs and laboratory tests. With timely treatment, the calf recovers in 7-10 days.
Pneumonia
This disease affects young animals between the ages of two and five months. The main provoking factor is weaning from the cow, as a result of which the immunity of the calf is reduced. Also, pneumonia can develop when young animals of different ages are kept together.
The first sign of pneumonia is depression and diarrhea. Subsequently, the calf develops profuse snot, coughing, breathing quickens up to 60 breaths per minute, and the temperature rises sharply.
Tuberculosis
A dangerous disease caused by Koch’s wand. Infection occurs by airborne droplets, as well as through water and food. In calves, tuberculosis manifests itself in an acute form, which is accompanied by an abundant discharge of snot.
Additional symptoms:
- dry skin;
- stable high temperature – about 40-42 degrees;
- lack of appetite;
- wheezing when breathing.
Tuberculosis has no cure. An infected animal must be slaughtered and subsequently disposed of.
Dictioaculosis
A parasitic disease that develops against the background of penetration into the body of an animal of the nematode Dictyocaulus viviparus. In the mature stage, it is localized in the middle and small branches of the bronchi, as well as in the region of the posterior diaphragmatic lobes of the lungs. The nematode parasitizes in the body of calves from 1,5 to 12 months.
The primary sign of invasion is a depressed general condition and a gradual decrease in appetite. With the further development of the disease, the calf develops a cough with wheezing and shortness of breath, as well as thick snot of a mucopurulent nature.
Infectious diseases
Snot in a calf can be a sign of infection. The causative agents are various pathogenic microorganisms. The danger of infectious diseases is that they develop rapidly and can lead to infection of the entire livestock.
Infectious diseases are most often manifested not only by a runny nose, but also by fever.
Colibacillosis
This infection is most often diagnosed in calves under the age of eight months. The causative agent is E. coli, which enters the body through dirty equipment.
When infected, the animal develops debilitating diarrhea with bloody and mucous impurities. With further development, pathological changes occur in the lungs and bronchi, so snot and rapid breathing appear. A lower body temperature is also recorded – about 32-34 degrees. Colibacillosis can cause the death of an animal if therapy is not carried out in time. Ill calves noticeably lag behind in growth.
Subacute stage of pasteurellosis
The causative agent of the infection is Pasteurella multocida. It is transmitted by airborne droplets, and less often through food and drink. In an infected calf, serous-purulent snot with blood impurities is released. You can also identify the infection by dry cough, fever and the presence of edematous areas in the neck, chest and limbs.
Lumpy dermatitis
The disease is characterized by the appearance of bumps on the skin. The causative agent is DNA-containing viruses. The incubation period lasts from 3 to 30 days.
Initial signs of the disease:
- high temperature – about 40 degrees;
- liquid plentiful snot;
- lacrimation.
48 hours after the appearance of the first symptoms, round subcutaneous nodules 0,5 cm high form on the body of the animal. After a few hours, necrosis of the affected skin begins.
Content Violation
The reason for the appearance of snot in a calf may be a violation of the basic rules of keeping. Inflammation of the upper respiratory tract contributes to:
- high humidity;
- lack of ventilation;
- damp bedding;
- the development of fungus in the barn;
- lack of regular walking.
In the presence of at least some of the conditions listed in the young, immunity is significantly reduced. And this can lead to more serious illnesses.
What to do if calves have snot
When snot appears, it is necessary to transfer the animal to a separate warm room. You should also provide a complete diet, consisting of easily digestible feed in the form of a mash of ground oats and bran. It is important to ensure that there is always clean water in the drinker. For the treatment of a runny nose, it is necessary to carry out washings with carbon dioxide.
In the event of an allergy, the veterinarian prescribes antihistamines, as well as vitamin complexes to increase immunity.
For the treatment of infectious and colds, complex therapy with antibiotics and immunomodulators is used. This combination has a depressing effect on the pathogenic microflora and helps to increase the body’s resistance to its effects.
Only a veterinarian can determine the cause of the appearance of snot in a calf, so you should not delay time and self-medicate
Preventive measures
To keep the young and eliminate the likelihood of developing diseases, you must follow simple rules.
Preventive actions:
- Regularly disinfect pet inventory, as well as care tools.
- Timely replace dirty bedding.
- Provide outdoor exercise for animals.
- Conduct timely vaccination of young animals.
- Purchase only high-quality food and certified dietary supplements.
- Provide separate keeping of animals of different ages.
- Use vitamin complexes to maintain immunity.
- Provide ventilation for calves.
- Conduct timely deworming.
Conclusion
In a calf, snot is a sign that not everything is in order in the animal’s body. The sooner the cause of the condition is established, the less harm it will do to the health of the animal. As you know, any disease is easier to treat at the initial stage of development.
