History
The investigation of neonatal disease problems is facilitated by the defined period of risk and temporal distribution of the more common disease syndromes. For health problems involving individuals or the flock or herd, it is best to start at birth and work forward.
For the individual a history of dystocia indicates the likelihood of neonatal compromise and the possibility of failure of passive transfer. The risk of specific diseases may be influenced by pathogen-specific immunity, which may be manipulated through either maternal or neonatal vaccination. Details of the farms vaccination protocol should be collected. The specifics regarding the timing of vaccination are important, as timing influences the likelihood of achieving effective immune specific passive transfer. At a herd level the likelihood of FPT and the efficacy of maternal vaccination are determined by colostrum management. From a herd perspective it is important to determine the farm's protocol for harvesting, storing, and administering colostrum, as these protocols determine immunoglobulin and microbial quality and the likelihood of achieving adequate passive transfer.Risk of neonatal infectious disease is determined by the balance among host immunity, environment, and pathogen dose and virulence. Management should strive to maximize host immunity through good colostral management and provision of adequate nutrition and by minimizing environmental stress. The risk of pathogen exposure is influenced by environmental conditions at birth, amount of time spent with the dam, facility hygiene, colostrum and milk hygiene, personnel hygiene, and neonate age grouping. Defining the onset and progression of disease is useful, as certain diseases are more likely to occur at different times. Response to treatment or lack thereof may provide clues regarding pathogen involvement, and details of treatment protocols may identity inappropriate, ineffective treatment. Occasionally disease is iatrogenic, so it is important to collect details of all products administered, specifically time, volume, frequency, and route.