Clinical examination of cattle. Part 2: calves, technology and ancillary testing

Abstract

Background: A systematic clinical examination of calves is key for reaching a diagnosis and creating a management plan for sick animals, with the principles of an individual animal clinical examination giving an indication of group-level issues within the herd. The use of ancillary testing can aid in diagnosing different conditions in both youngstock and adult cattle, as well as determining the prognosis for the animal. This has become more accessible recently due to the developments in sensors and the application of diagnostic imaging, as well as calf-side tests. Aim of the article: This article is the second in a two-part series on undertaking a clinical examination of cattle. This article focuses on how to perform a clinical examination of a calf, at both an individual and a population level, and also discusses the role of technology and ancillary testing in aiding the clinical examination of both adult cattle and calves. Part 1 focused on examining adult dairy and beef cattle (Nelson and others 2022).