Occurrence of anemia in Holstein calves in the first month after birth

Abstract

The high mortality rates of calves has encouraged research of the physiological mechanisms that control birth and adaptation of newborns to extrauterine life, to allow early identification of the presence of disease characteristics during the neonatal period. This study aimed to determine the occurrence of anemia in Holstein calves in the first month after birth and address the lack of information on the subject in neonates raised under national conditions. In total, 385 animals, 199 from refrigerated type A raw milk producing and 186 from refrigerated raw milk producing dairy farms, were surveyed. Anemia was observed in 14.3 % of the heifers (55/385), with a higher frequency in the farms producing type A milk (18.6 %, 37/199). It was concluded that the frequency of anemia is significant in neonates of the studied breed, particularly in those with more technified properties (type A milk), with this condition being, in most cases, a possible etiology of iron-deficiency.