Bovine coronavirus causes winter dysentery in adults and neonatal diarrhoea in calves, with welfare impacts from dehydration, pain, and the energy demands of disease on both groups.
Bovine coronavirus causes acute welfare compromise at both ends of the age spectrum. Adult winter dysentery causes debilitating profuse diarrhoea and reduced appetite, impairing welfare for several days with significant production impacts. Neonatal calf enteritis causes rapid dehydration, acidosis, and death without adequate oral rehydration therapy and supportive care. Prevention through maternal vaccination and good colostrum management protects calves during the highest-risk neonatal period. Prompt oral electrolyte therapy in affected calves prevents the welfare emergency of severe dehydration. Surveillance of adult cows for winter dysentery enables management changes that reduce spread within the herd.