Investigations Into the Cause of Generalized Hair Loss in Young Calves
TLDR Severe diarrhea in young calves may cause hair loss.
This study investigated the relationship between ruminal drinking and generalized alopecia in calves, analyzing data from 270 animals aged 31 days or younger. It found that 76 calves developed alopecia, with a significant association between hair loss and complicated ruminal drinking, characterized by a pH below six on two consecutive days. The study suggested that alopecia and complicated ruminal drinking might be after-effects of severe diarrheal illness in newborn calves, potentially independent of each other. Alternatively, prolonged ruminal acidosis from complicated ruminal drinking could induce alopecia. The study also proposed that severe neonatal diarrhea alone might cause generalized hair loss, as most calves with diarrhea did not have ruminal acidosis. Further research was recommended to explore the mechanisms causing alopecia during serious illness.
