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B. CALF DIARRHOEA
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y
Diarrhoea in calves can occur due to various reasons.
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y
Calves with diarrhoea lose considerable amounts of water and electrolytes.
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y
Diarrhoea and rapid loss of fluid and ions can cause the calf to die very quickly.
MANAGEMENT OF CALF DIARRHOEA
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y
Replace the lost water and electrolytes at the
earliest - Feed 2-4 litres of electrolyte solution
every day.
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y
The electrolyte solution provided should be over
and above the normal feeding.
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y
Consult a veterinarian at the earliest to determine
the cause of diarrhoea and to provide appropriate
treatment.
* Calves do not digest table sugar (sucrose) effectively and addition may worsen diarrhoea leading to
more fluid and electrolyte lose. Glucose is hence preferred.
Home electrolyte solution formula
(For 1 litre of warm water)
Glucose * - 5 teaspoons
Soda bi carb - 1 teaspoon
Table salt - 1 teaspoon
1 teaspoon=5 g (approx.)
ASSESSING LEVELS OF DEHYDRATION
Dehydration level (%)
Symptoms
Up to 5%
No symptoms, animal is normal.
5 – 6%
Diarrhoea, no clinical signs, strong suckling reflex.
6 - 8%
Mild depression, skin tenting
*
2-6 seconds, still suckling, sunken
eyes, weak.
8-10%
Depressed, laying down, eyes very sunken, dry gums, skin tenting
more than 6 seconds.
10-14%
Cannot stand, cool extremities, skin remains tented, comatose.
Over 14%
Leads to death
* The skin above the eye and around the chest and neck should rapidly snap back and return
to normal when released. If the skin remains raised it is considered ‘tented’. The time taken to
return to normalcy indicates the level of dehydration.
Calves showing symptoms of above 8% dehydration require immediate intravenous fluid
therapy, contact a veterinarian immediately.
PREVENTION OF CALF DIARRHOEA
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y
Ensure that adequate quantities of colostrum has been fed to the calf within 6 hours of birth
to avoid failure of transfer of immunity.
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y
Ensure that the calf is maintained in a hygienic and dry environment.
y
y
Ensure udder cleanliness before allowing the calf to suckle.
Early management of diarrhoea will save your calf