Salmonellosis in young calves

Abstract

Extract In a comprehensive description of infections caused by Salmonella spp. in New Zealand livestock, it is mentioned that outbreaks of bovine salmonellosis have generally been confined to adult animals. The origin of these infections (Salmonella typhimurium and Salmonella bovis morbificans predominantly) in most instances is obscure (Salisbury, 1958 Salisbury, R. M. 1958. Salmonella infections in animals and birds in New Zealand. N.Z. vet. J., 6: 76–86. [Taylor & Francis Online] [Google Scholar] ). Losses are often sporadic and, while examination of whole herds in which clinical cases have occurred may reveal very few animals excreting salmonellae, other herds with no previous history of clinical disease in adult cows may show 10 to 12% of animals excreting salmonellae at one time (Robinson, unpublished). The majority of clinical cases of salmonellosis in adult cattle occur close to parturition and may be associated with intercurrent disease.