Age and contact status influence the probability of disease treatment between adjacent hutch calves within a commercial calf ranch.

Proximity to a treated calf significantly increases disease treatment probability, supporting greater hutch spacing and prompt sick-calf isolation.

This prospective observational study conducted at a commercial calf ranch (March 2024–February 2025) investigated how proximity to a treated calf influences the probability of disease treatment in adjacent hutch calves. Using electronic identification linked to daily health records across 9,756 calves, researchers classified calves as 'contact' (adjacent to a calf treated for diarrhea or respiratory disease within the previous 12 days) or 'noncontact.' Generalized linear mixed models assessed the daily probability of treatment by contact status, age category, and their interaction. Results demonstrated a significant interaction between contact status and age for both disease categories. Calves under 30 days of age had a significantly higher probability of diarrhea treatment compared to older calves. For respiratory disease, contact calves had a significantly higher probability of treatment across all age groups, though the magnitude of this difference varied by age. These findings suggest that physical proximity between hutches is a meaningful risk factor for disease transmission, particularly for respiratory disease. Clinically, these results support management interventions aimed at reducing inter-calf exposure, such as increasing spacing between hutches or promptly isolating clinically ill calves. The study provides actionable data for calf ranch managers and veterinarians to refine housing strategies and reduce morbidity through spatial management of sick and at-risk calves.

This summary was distilled by AI and may occasionally misinterpret data. Confirm critical details with the primary literature before clinical application.