Calf Scours 

Calf scours, commonly referred to as calf diarrhea, is a common and potentially serious condition in young calves. If left untreated it can be fatal as calves become dehydrated. It involves frequent and watery feces, often resulting in dehydration, weight loss, and other health issues. Calf scours can have various causes, and it's important to identify and treat the underlying cause to prevent complications.

Causes

Calf scours can be caused by a range of factors, including:

  1. Infectious Agents: Bacteria (e.g., Escherichia coli, Salmonella), viruses (e.g., rotavirus, coronavirus), and protozoa (e.g., Cryptosporidium) are common infectious agents responsible for calf scours.

  2. Nutritional Factors: Overfeeding, underfeeding, sudden changes in diet, or feeding poor-quality milk or milk replacers can upset a calf's digestive system and lead to diarrhea.

  3. Environmental Stress: Cold and damp environments, overcrowding, poor sanitation, and stressors like transportation or weaning can weaken a calf's immune system and make them more susceptible to scours.

Symptoms

Symptoms of calf scours may include:

  • Watery or bloody diarrhea.

  • Dehydration, indicated by sunken eyes, dry mucous membranes, and skin that doesn't snap back when pinched.

  • Lethargy and weakness.

  • Loss of appetite.

  • Weight loss.

  • Elevated heart rate and breathing rate.

Treatment

Contact your vet when you notice your calf is scouring, as calves will often worsen rapidly get treatment within 24 hours of symptoms.

Isolation: Isolate affected calves to prevent the spread of infectious agents to healthy ones.

Rehydration: Administer oral electrolyte like vytrate to rehydrate the calf. Electrolyte solutions contain essential minerals and fluids that help replace lost fluids and electrolytes due to diarrhea. You may need to stomach tube feed electrolytes as calves often become weak and refuse to suckle.

Medication: In some cases, antibiotics or anti-diarrhetic medications like scourban may be necessary if the diarrhea is caused by a bacterial or parasitic infection.

Sanitation: Maintain clean and dry living conditions to reduce the risk of infection and stress. Apply a disinfectant like hydrated lime to the soil before replacing bedding.