The Effect of Colostrum Supplementation during the First 5 Days of Life on Calf Health, Enteric Pathogen Shedding, and Immunological Response.

The objective of this dairy farm study was to investigate the preweaning health, performance, immunity, and enteric pathogen shedding in calves supplemented with colostrum during five days after birth compared to calves not supplemented with colostrum. The colostrum supplementation was the previously frozen colostrum added to the milk replacer from day 2-5 given to 39 calves, and 36 Control calves received a milk-derived supplement. There was no significant difference in preweaning weight gain between the treatment groups.

Potential of ESBL-producing Escherichia coli selection in bovine feces after intramammary administration of first generation cephalosporins using in vitro experiments.

Selection and spread of Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL) -producing Enterobacteriaceae within animal production systems and potential spillover to humans is a major concern. Intramammary treatment of dairy cows with first-generation cephalosporins is a common practice and potentially selects for ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae, although it is unknown whether this really occurs in the bovine fecal environment. We aimed to study the potential effects of intramammary application of cephapirin (CP) and cefalonium (CL) to select for ESBL-producing Escherichia coli in the intestinal content of treated dairy cows and in manure slurry, using in vitro competition experiments with ESBL and non-ESBL E.