Effect of Infrared Lamps to Ameliorate Morbidity and Mortality in Vrindavani Calves

The present study was carried out to determine the effect of Infrared lamps to ameliorate morbidity and mortality in Vrindavani calves. Ten newborn calves were randomly divided into two groups (G1 and G2) of five each. The calves of G1 were provided with no additional protection; however calves of G2 were protected against cold weather by using the Infrared lamps. The health status of calves was monitored daily both in the morning and evening. The blood samples collected within six hours of birth and then at fortnightly interval were analyzed for total leukocyte count (TLC, thousands/μl) and differential leukocyte count (DLC). The physiological parameters i.e. respiration rate (RR, breaths/min), heart rate (HR, beats/min) and rectal temperature (RT,°F) were recorded at weekly interval. The health performance was better in calves of G2 as compared to G1. The calves in G1 showed comparatively higher values of TLC and neutrophils and the differences were found significant (P<0.05) on 15th day for TLC and 15th and 45th day for neutrophils. The values of lymphocytes were found significantly (P<0.05) lower in calves of G1 than G2 on 15th and 45th day.The physiological parameters did not varied significantly between the groups except for RT which was most of the times significantly (P<0.05) lower in calves of G1 than G2. On the basis of the results, it could be concluded that the Infrared lamps are efficient in providing favourable microclimate and hence can be effectively used in calf shed to protect newborn calves from adverse conditions of winter.