Navel infection and subsequent joint ill in neonatal calves causes significant pain, welfare compromise, and economic loss, with prevention through hygiene and colostrum management being critical.
Calves with navel ill and joint ill experience significant and often severe pain. Infected umbilical stumps are warm, enlarged, and painful on palpation. When infection spreads to joints, the acute arthritis causes severe lameness that prevents calves from moving to feed or seek warmth. Multiple joint involvement, which occurs in septicemic spread, leaves calves unable to stand with multiple painful, swollen joints. The systemic septicemia from bacteremia causes fever, depression, and profound weakness. Without prompt and effective treatment, joint ill causes permanent damage to the growth plates and cartilage of affected joints, leading to chronic lameness and reduced lifetime welfare even after recovery from acute infection.