Field study on routine procedures for navel care in neonatal calves on dairy farms in Eastern Germany.

ABSTRACT: Clean conditions and prophylactic measures around calving are essential for the health and welfare of calves. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the association of different navel care (NC) practices on the occurrence of omphalitis in neonatal dairy calves. Between December 2016 and July 2019, 196 dairy farms in Eastern Germany were visited once within a large-scale cross-sectional study. 1,967 calves aged five to 21 days were clinically examined, including palpation of the external umbilicus for inflammation signs. Furthermore, information on animal health and farm management, including the implementation of NC, was obtained through interviews with the farm or herd manager. Causal diagrams were drawn, containing variables considering NC (practice of NC, method of appli

SUBMITTER: Meier KK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12309999 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature