F755
Scours in Calves

Introduction: Calf scours is one of the most common causes of death in a newborn calf. The main reason a calf dies from scours is because of the tremendous fluid/electrolyte loss and subsequent dehydration and acidosis.  In general, if proper hydration can be maintained, the calf is likely to survive.

Common Causative Agents:

Bacterial

Viral

Protozoal

E. coli

Rotavirus

Cryptosporidia

Salmonella

Coronavirus

Coccidia

Clostridium perfringens A & C

BVD

 

Clostridium sordellii

 

 

Campylobacter

 

 

*It is not uncommon to have involvement with more than one of the above agents in a case of diarrhea.

Most scours outbreaks are related to:
  1. Contaminated calving conditions.
  1. It is always best to allow cows to calve in clean areas designated specifically for calving.
  2. If possible, take cows and calves to a second area after calving.
  3. The worst conditions are small, wet, and dirty areas or corrals.
  1. Poor nutrition for mothers prior to calving.
  1. A cow that is thin and on an inadequate protein and energy feed will have poor quality colostrum, weaker calves with poor immunity, and a lower conception rate after calving.

Clinical Signs:

Organism

When diarrhea first appears

What the diarrhea looks like

E. coli

Birth to 4 days

Watery, yellow, foul odor

Salmonella

14 days or older

Bloody, septic tank odor

Clostridium perfringens

Greater than 10 days

Watery

Rotavirus

4-30 days

Yellow pudding

Coronavirus

1-14 days

Watery and brown

Cryptosporidia

7-35 days

Blood, mucous, undigested milk

Coccidia

21 days or greater

Very loose with blood

Disease Transmission: Almost all of these organisms are shed in the manure. Manure contaminated hands, milk bottles, buckets, coveralls, foodstuffs, calving pens, and the environment are just a few of the many sources for infection. Once a calf has come in contact with a source of infection, the organism must be directly ingested. The one exception to this rule often occurs with enterotoxemia where overgrowth seems to be the problem. (See page F120.)

Diagnosis: All of the organisms on the preceding page can be identified by utilizing culture and sensitivity or fecal flotation. For both of these procedures a fresh sample of the diarrhea should be taken to a veterinarian as soon as problems arise.

Treatment: The most essential aspect of treating calf scours is maintaining proper hydration of the calf. To do this, refer to page F143 and utilize the information contained in the table and example. In addition to the information found on page F143, the following suggestions are a must:

  1. Never mix water or electrolytes with milk. This may inhibit curd formation in the rumen. It is best to feed electrolytes at least 30 minutes before or after feeding milk.
  2. When administering antibiotics, give the products IV, IM, or SQ. Studies indicate that administering antibiotics orally (PO) may damage the normal flora (bacteria) in the rumen and actually prolong the diarrhea. Antibiotic selection should be based on culture and sensitivity. Refer to page D135 for additional help on cultures and sensitivity. Some of the coccidia organisms respond well to sulfa containing products such as Albon.
  3. Administer a product to re-establish the normal gut flora. Products such as Probios seem to be very effective.

Prevention: Scours can be controlled using different management practices such as vaccination programs, proper colostrum management, good hygiene, sterilization of equipment, proper housing, and preventing stressful situations. Once each of these areas have been addressed, most scour problems can be kept to a minimum. See page A76 for additional biosecurity information.

* Before initiating any treatment, CONSULT A VETERINARIAN!