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. 2014 Feb 26;97(5):2822–2834. doi: 10.3168/jds.2013-7454

Table 6.

Relationship between management practices suggested for control of transmission of Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis and the incidence of calf diarrhea and its associated costs (Canadian dollars; Can$).

Parameter Estimate Reference Model input1
Hazard ratio for scour treatment for calves fed non-heat-treated versus heat-treated pooled colostrum 1.32 (1.14–1.53) Godden et al., 2012 Normal (1.32; 0.39)
Effectiveness of immediate cow-calf separation Not significant Quigley et al., 1994, 1995
Effectiveness of individual calving pens Not significant Pithua et al., 2009
Cumulative incidence of preweaning diarrhea (%) 20.48 Waltner-Toews et al., 1986b Beta (269; 965)
24.7 Wells et al., 1997
Age at first occurrence (d) 16 Waltner-Toews et al., 1986b Normal (16; 2)
Duration (d) 3 Waltner-Toews et al., 1986b Normal (3; 1)
Case fatality rate (%) 5.5–7.1 Waltner-Toews et al., 1986a Beta (14.46; 215.13)
Percentage of total heifer rearing costs before weaning 12.3 Gabler et al., 2000 Beta (4.77; 33.81)
Daily treatment costs for diarrhea (Can$); light/severe case 40/2002 Expert opinion3 Normal (45.33; 5.66)
1

Normal=normal distribution (mean; SD); Beta = beta distribution (α; β). 2Assuming 10% of the patients would require intensive treatment for 1 d.3Personal communication with an Alberta dairy practitioner and an ex-practitioner currently employed by a major pharmaceutical company.