Veterinary Science & Technology

Prevalence of Calf Scour and Associated Risk Factors in Model Dairy Farms of Holeta Town and Adea Berga District, Central Ethiopia

Abstract

Leta Muleta Kisi*, Amana Feyisa Ammesa, Getachew Gugsa Amede and Beksisa Urge Hurisa

A cross-sectional study was conducted in Holeta town and Adea Berga district on model dairy farms from November 2020 to April 2021 with the aims of determining the prevalence of calf scour and its associated risk factors and identification of helminth parasites (Ostertagia and Cooperia) and E. coli. Descriptive statistics were used to determine the prevalence and Pearson’s Chi-square (χ2) test was applied to assess the association between the prevalence of calf scour and different risk factors. The overall prevalence of calf scour was found to be 57 (48.7%). Of the total positive samples 29.8%, 35.1%, 22.8, and 12.3% were found to be positive for E. coli, Ostertagia, Cooperia and mixed (Ostertagia and Cooperia), respectively. The results of Chi-square (χ2) analysis revealed that among the different risk factors associated with the occurrence of calf scour only colostrum feeding (P=0.001; χ2=10.191), breed (P=0.001; χ2=10.191), body condition (P=0.00; χ2=21.680) and hygiene (P=0.037; χ2=6.594) had significant difference in the prevalence of calf scour. Of the total 117 examined calves 17 (14.5%) were positive for E. coli. Among the different risk factors associated with the occurrence of colibacillosis age (P=0.000; χ2=23.576), colostrum feeding (P=0.002; χ2=9.199), breed (P=0.002; χ2=9.199), and hygiene (P=0.000; χ2=16.453) had significant difference in the prevalence of colibacillosis. Of the total 117 examined calves 40 (34.2%) were positive for helminth parasites. Of the helminth positive samples 50%, 32.5%, and 17.5% were positive for Ostertagia, Cooperia, and mixed (Ostertagia and Cooperia), respectively. Among the different risk factors associated with the occurrence of helminthiais age (P=0.012; χ2=6.307), and body condition (P=0.00; χ2=22.756) had significant difference in the prevalence of helminthiais. In general, the current study revealed that there is alarmingly high prevalence of calf scour in the study areas. Hence, improved calf management practices should be implemented so as to minimize the occurrence of calf scour in the study areas.