Source: Boehringer Ingelheim
Calf scours, or neonatal calf diarrhea, is a common source of sickness and death in calves under a month of age. Affected calves can fall behind in performance and never catch up, so early intervention, correction of dehydration and prevention are paramount.
Common causes
- Viruses: rotavirus, coronavirus, bovine viral diarrhea virus
- Parasites: Cryptosporidium and coccidia
- Bacteria: Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Clostridium perfringens
- Other: Ingestion of more milk than calf can digest
Clinical signs
- Watery stools may be green, brown, yellow or gray, +/- blood and mucus
- Weakness and depression
- Loss of appetite
- Dehydration
Diagnosis
- Work with your veterinarian to identify the cause, so proper treatment can be initiated
- Analysis of fresh fecal samples and necropsies of dead calves can help determine the cause
Treatment
- Isolate sick calves and their dams
- Replace fluid and electrolytes with oral treatments or intravenous fluids
- Your veterinarian may recommend nutritional support
- Provide warmth with deep bedding; shelter calves from wind, rain and snow
- Depending on the cause, your veterinarian may recommend medications such as antibiotics
Prevention
- Ensure newborns receive adequate colostrum
- Immunize the cow herd against enteric pathogens to help build calf immunity
- Keep environment clean and free of fecal matter that can carry pathogens
- Avoid overcrowding and minimize stress
- Segregate calves by age to avoid exposure to pathogens from older cattle
