Calf Scours / Diarrhoea

Calf Scours (Diarrhoea)

What is it?

Calf scours is when young calves develop diarrhoea and become dehydrated. Scours have the potential to spread and cause an outbreak in your calves. Without adequate treatment this is often fatal usually due to dehydration. Calf scours happen usually when in their first month of life but can also typically happen later as well.

What causes calf scours?

The main causes of calf scours are viruses, bacteria and protozoa.

• Viruses: Bovine Rotaviruses and Coronaviruses (NOT THE SAME AS COVID 19)
• Bacteria: E Coli and Salmonella
• Protozoa: Cryptosporidium

** Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus also causes diarrhoea but in older calves **

Some of these organisms are usually carried by cows however they are shed (passed out) during periods of high stress such as birthing, this results in the environment being contaminated with these various viruses, bacteria and protozoa. Calves because of their undeveloped immune system can easily pick these organisms up from the environment.

Factors Increasing the risks of calves developing Calf Scours??

• Inadequate intake of colostrum. Colostrum is the ‘first milk’ and it is very important that the calves have as much as possible from the cow in the first 24hours. ‘First Milk’ is very important because it contains antibodies and other immune stimulants that is very important in developing the calves immune system which is how a calf fights or resists infections that may be present in the herd.
• Unhygienic environments. Uncleaned kraals with wet deep manure are unhygienic because the organisms can survive and replicate in those conditions. Other examples are uncleaned calving pens, or unchanged bedding, all these allow the organisms that cause calf scours to survive and or replicate.
• Cold weather or significant temperature variations. This creates ‘temperature stress’ in calves which further weakens their ability to fight or resist Infections. 
• Bottle feeding with dirty bottles and utensils.

Identifying Calf Scours

You will most definitely see a diarrhoea. It is a watery diarrhoea however the colours can be light brown or greenish or blood stained or yellowish or even white. It can also be anything in between.

Unfortunately, because one or more organisms may be causing the scours it is a good idea to contact your veterinarian to take samples and send for lab testing. This will help to identify the specific causative organisms so that the appropriate antibiotics may be used.

Treatment of Calf Scours

The main goals of treatment are to,

1. Replace fluid and electrolytes, lost due to dehydration cause by loss of through the watery diarrhoea.
2. Providing the calf with an energy source because it is more than likely not suckling.
3. Minimizing factors that cause stress such as extreme weather by providing a warm and dry area for the calves.

Replacing fluids 

To replace fluids, you can use oral electrolytes. The calves quickly get dehydrated and loose essential electrolytes and minerals, these must then be replaced as soon as possible especially if the calf can no longer suckle. Feed at least 2 electrolyte mixes a day. There are different products on the market such as Diomec, Byboost Scour Ex or Electrogaurd NF Gel. 

Important Tip: It is very important you follow the correct mixing instructions! If your electrolytes are too concentrated it may result in worsening of the diarrhoea.

Providing Energy

The usual source of energy for calves is milk however if they are not suckling you will need to make sure that they receive adequate amounts. You can do this by providing a milk replacer or milk from the cow. Feedings should be done at least twice a day. If you do use a milk replacer please follow the correct mixing instructions.

Important Tip: Do not mix electrolyte powder with milk replacer in the same bottle because the mixing ratios may be different. Additionally, they may not dissolve well.

Important Tip: Do not feed milk and electrolyte mixes at the same time, rather separate the milk feeding and electrolyte supplementation by 1 – 2 hours. Example: Feed the milk/replacer at 6am and then the electrolyte mix at around 8am.

Isolate the calf preferably with it’s mother, this is to prevent potential spreading of the organisms to other calves in the herd. If possible provide housing to protect the calf from bad weather as this may stress the calf.

Antibiotics

The main goal of antibiotics will be to treat the cause of the scours, additionally to also prevent potential secondary pneumonias. Oral antibiotics can be used as well as injectable antibiotics. Contact your nearest Veterinarian for a recommendation on which antibiotics to use.

** Oral Antibiotics are antibiotics registered for use by dosing the animal. These antibiotics may be powders or liquids for example, they may have to be mixed with water before usage. **

Prevention of Calf Scours

• Ensure the calf receives as much colostrum within 12hours of birth, the sooner the better. After 24 hours the calf begins to loose it’s ability to absorb the essential immune stimulants. It is a good idea to have frozen colostrum on hand in case the cow is not producing enough. If you have to buy in colostrum make sure it’s from a trusted source and that it is from cows vaccinated against infections predominant in your area.
• If possible, have a separate calving area for calves that is cleaned out of manure and excessive mud. Preferably a dry covered area.
• Vaccination of cows and heifers. This is beneficial in cases where this is a persistent problem in the herd. The product available on the market is Scourgaurd 4C, you can contact your nearest Veterinarian to find out more.
• If you have to bottle feed calves make sure all utensils used such as teats are properly cleaned in hot soapy water after each use.

Important: Some organisms that cause calf scours can infect humans and cause serious health problems so when handling confirmed scours calves do wear gloves and wash your hands after handling calves or any utensils used in bottle feeding.