Bovine Diseases 4

Question 1

Neonatal Diarrhea or Calf Scours

Answer 1

• Causes rapid dehydration and electrolyte imbalance in calves.
• Hypoglycemia due to lack of food intake and absorbtion in the GI tract.
• Septicemia and shock due to compromise of the intestinal lining.
• Can be fatal if not treated immediately.

Question 2

Causes of Calf Scours:

Answer 2

•	Bacterial:
o	E. coli
o	Salmonella
o	Clostridium
•	Viral:
o	BVD
o	Rotavirus
o	Corona virus
•	Protozoal:
o	Coccidia
o	Cryptosporidia

Question 3

Poor Management:

Answer 3

• Failure of Passive Transfer
• Poor quality milk replacer
• Dirty environment
• Stress

Question 4

Treatment of Calf Scours:

Answer 4

• Oral electrolyte and glucose solutions.
• IV fluids with bicarbonate.
• Antibiotics.
• Correct any underlying problems:
• Environmental factors
• Diet
• Do not starve the calf. Give milk replacer also alternating with electrolytes.

Question 5

White Muscle Disease (WMD):

Answer 5

• Caused by selenium deficiency.
• Causes fibrosis of skeletal and heart muscle tissue (looks white on necropsy).
• Found in selenium deficient areas.

Question 6

Clinical Signs of WMD

Answer 6

• Irregular gait.
• Hunched back appearance.
• Heart irregularities.
• Death.

Question 7

Treatment & Prevention of WMD

Answer 7

• Selenium supplementation:
• Minerals with selenium.
• Injectable selenium products.
• Give calves an injection of Se-Vit E at birth and repeat in 30 days (Bo-Se or Mu-Se).
• Feed mother cows minerals with selenium.

Question 8

Navel and Joint Infections (ill)

Answer 8

• Bacteria gain entry into the blood stream through the navel.
• Bacteria can remain in the navel, or
• Spread by blood to the joints causing septic arthritis.

Question 9

Prevention and Treatment navel and joint ill

Answer 9

Prevention:
•	Clean calving areas.
•	Dip navels ASAP after birth.
Treatment:
•	Antibiotics.
•	May need to surgically drain.
•	May need to flush the joint.