A study on the health profile of young calves: Influence of genetic and environmental factors

The present investigation was carried out to study the disease incidence pattern among young calves over different seasons, age groups and sexes. Among diseases, diarrhoea showed highest (39.85%) incidence followed by fever (18.92%) and lameness (5.85%). Diarrhoeal incidences were significantly higher (P<0.01) in Murrah calves than in Karan Fries, Sahiwal and Tharparkar calves. Age significantly (P<0.01) influenced the occurrence of diarrhoea, being highest in the first month of life. Maximum incidence of diarrhoea was recorded in rainy season. Fever incidences were significantly (P<0.01) higher in Murrah calves than on Karan Fries calves. Incidence rate of fever was higher during first, second and third months of life and during autumn season. Season also had significant (P<0.01) effect on the incidence of lameness with highest incidence in autumn (9.13%). Age group had significant (P<0.01) influence on lameness incidence rate being highest in first age group of 0–30 days and lowest in the age group of 91–180 days.