This is a condition of colostrum deficient calves less than one week old. It has a sudden onset and affected calves almost invariably die.

AETIOLOGY

Particular serotypes of E.coli are associated with colisepticaemia.

INCIDENCE

The exact incidence of this condition is unknown, but the majority of calves which die during the neonatal period (i.e. during the first four weeks of life) die during the first two weeks of life, either as a result of colisepticaemia, or diarrhoea.

Many cases of colisepticaemia are said to be ‘sudden deaths", as when last observed the calf was seen to be well. However, careful stockmen will generally have noticed that the calf was dull, stiff and reluctant to rise and feed. Rapid deterioration and collapse then follow. Fever (105⁰F-40.5⁰C) is frequently present but rapidly drops to sub-normal values as the animal collapses. Diarrhoea if present at all is scanty and a terminal event. In some cases, enlarged, puffy joint capsules may be seen and the occasional calf displays signs of central nervous system disturbance due to meningitis. Death ensues within 12 hours of the onset of clinical signs.

A small proportion of cases do not die but many of these subsequently suffer from arthritic lesions (joint-ill) and/or abscesses in the body tissues and organs, umbilicus, and, on occasions, the central nervous system.

EPIDEMIOLOGY

This is the classic condition of the calf which has been deprived of colostrum or has not absorbed colostral immunoglobulins (see neonatal calf diarrhoea). 

DIAGNOSIS

Relatively sudden death in calves less than one week old which have a suitable epidemiological background, i.e. colostrum deficient and poor hygienic conditions may indicate a diagnosis of colisepticaemia.

TREATMENT

Because of the rapid onset and death of affected animals treatment is usually ineffective, even with massive doses of antibiotic.

CONTROL

This condition is easily controlled by increasing the concentrations of passively acquired colostral immunoglobulins in the serum of newborn calves. See Control of neonatal calf diarrhoea.