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How to deal with scouring calves
By Betsy Freese
Successful Farming Livestock Editor
2/24/2005, 9:30 AM CST
"Scours do not kill calves," Chris Clark, veterinarian at the University of Saskatchewan, told a packed room at the Western Veterinary Conference in Nevada this week. "Dehydration kills calves." Death comes from severe electrolyte imbalances, said Clark, and "the only answer is fluid therapy."
This means pumping the fluid to the calf, either by stomach tube or IV. Bottle feeding usually doesn't work because the calf won't suck enough of the fluid, said Clark. When scouring, calves need at least 4 liters of fluid a day.
"You can stop treating them when you can't catch them," said Clark. When oral fluids aren't enough, use an IV. How can you tell when that is neccessary? "If they are down and won't suck, they need an IV," said Clark. The fluid is oral electrolytes with an alkaline agent.
The majority of cases of infectious calf scours are caused by viruses and protozoal parasites, consequently antibiotics are of limited use in treating scours. "By far the best approach to calf scours is to prevent it from occurring in the first place," said Clark. That means management and vaccination.
Infectious calf scours typically occur in outbreaks and can be severe. The disease is caused by:
E.coli (K99, F5)
Bacteria adhere to the small intestines in very young calves (less than 5 days old) and secrete a cholera-like toxin that results in fluid and electrolyte loss through the intestines.
Rotavirus
Virus affects the intestinal villi, resulting in cell death. This reduces the surface area for absorption as well as removing enzymes vital for normal digestion of nutrients. This results in a severe diarrhea. There is damage to the intestine. This disease is typical in animals in the second week of life.
Coronavirus
Similar to rotavirus but more severe, with a larger portion of the intestines affected and more damage to the intestine. Animals affected are typically greater than 12 days of age.
Cryptosporidium
A protozoal parasite that is able to attach to the intestine and cause enterocyte loss. The effect is similar to that of rotavirus. The replication of the parasite in the intestines may result in a re-infection syndrome. The disease can also be spread to humans.
Salmonella
Bacterial enteritis that may affect any age of calf and be mild or severe. Disease is due to toxin production and bacterial invasion of the intestine, resulting in severe inflammation. Disease may also be present in adult cattle. This disease can also be spread to humans.
Coccidiosis
Parasitic enteritis more common in cattle greater than 3 weeks of age. Disease is usually not as severe as the other types of calf scours.
There are two ways to vaccinate a calf against calf scours. The first is to vaccinate the cow 3 to 4 weeks before calving and rely on her to produce the immunoglobulins that go into the colostrum. The second technique is to give immunoglobulins to the calf directly in its mouth immediately after birth. You can use a syringe (this technique is used for K99 E.coli only).
While vaccination can play an important role in the prevention of disease they should not regarded as "fix-all" for a herd with a persistent problem, said Clark.
The initial source of infection in most outbreaks is mature cattle that carry the pathogens. Sometimes the disease is brought onto the farm by the purchase of replacement calves; such a practice should be stopped, said Clark. Decreasing stocking density is almost certain to help, as well, he said. In the case of an outbreak, cows that haven't calved should be moved to a clean area.
Ensuring an adequate intake of colostrum is vital. "Check every calf within 12 hours of birth to make sure it has a full belly, said Clark. Effective treatment of scouring calves should always be focused on fluid therapy, he said.
"Dealing with calf scours outbreaks can be extremely frustrating," said Clark. "There is no magic bullet that can take the problem away. Instead it is necessary to focus on management strategies."
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Take care.
How to deal with scouring calves
By Betsy Freese
Successful Farming Livestock Editor
2/24/2005, 9:30 AM CST
"Scours do not kill calves," Chris Clark, veterinarian at the University of Saskatchewan, told a packed room at the Western Veterinary Conference in Nevada this week. "Dehydration kills calves." Death comes from severe electrolyte imbalances, said Clark, and "the only answer is fluid therapy."
This means pumping the fluid to the calf, either by stomach tube or IV. Bottle feeding usually doesn't work because the calf won't suck enough of the fluid, said Clark. When scouring, calves need at least 4 liters of fluid a day.
"You can stop treating them when you can't catch them," said Clark. When oral fluids aren't enough, use an IV. How can you tell when that is neccessary? "If they are down and won't suck, they need an IV," said Clark. The fluid is oral electrolytes with an alkaline agent.
The majority of cases of infectious calf scours are caused by viruses and protozoal parasites, consequently antibiotics are of limited use in treating scours. "By far the best approach to calf scours is to prevent it from occurring in the first place," said Clark. That means management and vaccination.
Infectious calf scours typically occur in outbreaks and can be severe. The disease is caused by:
E.coli (K99, F5)
Bacteria adhere to the small intestines in very young calves (less than 5 days old) and secrete a cholera-like toxin that results in fluid and electrolyte loss through the intestines.
Rotavirus
Virus affects the intestinal villi, resulting in cell death. This reduces the surface area for absorption as well as removing enzymes vital for normal digestion of nutrients. This results in a severe diarrhea. There is damage to the intestine. This disease is typical in animals in the second week of life.
Coronavirus
Similar to rotavirus but more severe, with a larger portion of the intestines affected and more damage to the intestine. Animals affected are typically greater than 12 days of age.
Cryptosporidium
A protozoal parasite that is able to attach to the intestine and cause enterocyte loss. The effect is similar to that of rotavirus. The replication of the parasite in the intestines may result in a re-infection syndrome. The disease can also be spread to humans.
Salmonella
Bacterial enteritis that may affect any age of calf and be mild or severe. Disease is due to toxin production and bacterial invasion of the intestine, resulting in severe inflammation. Disease may also be present in adult cattle. This disease can also be spread to humans.
Coccidiosis
Parasitic enteritis more common in cattle greater than 3 weeks of age. Disease is usually not as severe as the other types of calf scours.
There are two ways to vaccinate a calf against calf scours. The first is to vaccinate the cow 3 to 4 weeks before calving and rely on her to produce the immunoglobulins that go into the colostrum. The second technique is to give immunoglobulins to the calf directly in its mouth immediately after birth. You can use a syringe (this technique is used for K99 E.coli only).
While vaccination can play an important role in the prevention of disease they should not regarded as "fix-all" for a herd with a persistent problem, said Clark.
The initial source of infection in most outbreaks is mature cattle that carry the pathogens. Sometimes the disease is brought onto the farm by the purchase of replacement calves; such a practice should be stopped, said Clark. Decreasing stocking density is almost certain to help, as well, he said. In the case of an outbreak, cows that haven't calved should be moved to a clean area.
Ensuring an adequate intake of colostrum is vital. "Check every calf within 12 hours of birth to make sure it has a full belly, said Clark. Effective treatment of scouring calves should always be focused on fluid therapy, he said.
"Dealing with calf scours outbreaks can be extremely frustrating," said Clark. "There is no magic bullet that can take the problem away. Instead it is necessary to focus on management strategies."
~
Take care.
