Calf Diarrhea

Question 1

what is moderate diarrhea like?

Answer 1

decreased suckle reflex
weak, but able to rise
possibly febrile
moderate dehydration, electrolyte imbalances

Question 2

when are calves susceptible to E. coli?

Answer 2

days 1-3

Question 3

what is the incubation period of rotavirus?

Answer 3

24 hours

Question 4

what is the incubation of coronavirus?

Answer 4

2 days

Question 5

how prevalent is Cryptosporidium parvum?

Answer 5

close to 100% of dairy calves

Question 6

how should you treat mild diarrhea?

Answer 6

oral fluid/electrolyte supplementation
+/- antibiotics
do not skip or replace more than one milk feeding

Question 7

what are the four requirements for oral fluid therapy?

Answer 7

sufficient NaCl to normalize ECF volume
provide agents to facilitate absorption of water and sodium from gut
correct metabolic acidosis usually present in diarrheic calves
provide additional energy

Question 8

what is severe diarrhea like?

Answer 8

absent suckle reflex
recumbent/comatose
hypothermic
severe dehydration/electrolyte derangements
possible multiple organ failure

Question 9

what is the most important cause of neonatal diarrhea (0-3days)?

Answer 9

enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC)

Question 10

what is the most common antigen of enterotoxigenic E. coli?

Answer 10

K99

Question 11

what is the most common transmission of salmonella?

Answer 11

fecal-oral

Question 12

how is coccidiosis diagnosed?

Answer 12

fecal flotation

Question 13

what are the typical metabolic abnormalities?

Answer 13

metabolic acidosis
hyponatremia
hypochloremia
hypoglycemia
hyperkalemia

Question 14

what is mild diarrhea like?

Answer 14

maintains healthy diet
suckle reflex intact
normal hydration or very mild dehydration

Question 15

what are calves who are less than a week old susceptible to?

Answer 15

E. coli: up to 3 days
Salmonella
rotavirus possible
coronavirus possible

Question 16

when are calves susceptible to crypto?

Answer 16

7-21 days

Question 17

what does rotavirus do?

Answer 17

destroys villous enterocytes
immature replacement crypt cells unable to absorb nutrients

Question 18

what does coronavirus do?

Answer 18

destroys crypts and ridges of small intestine and large intestine
more severe than rotavirus

Question 19

what is Cryptosporidium parvum?

Answer 19

protozoa
complex life cycle: asexual and sexual components

Question 20

when does tissue destruction occur with Cryptosporidium parvum?

Answer 20

on merozoite release

Question 21

is there protection from colostrum or a vaccine for Cryptosporidium parvum?

Answer 21

no

Question 22

how does enterotoxigenic E. coli cause diarrhea?

Answer 22

toxin impedes the absorption of NaCl and leads to secretion of chloride and bicarbonate

Question 23

when is the K99 antigen to E. coli expressed?

Answer 23

when pH > 6.5

Question 24

how does enterotoxigenic E. coli lead to septicemia?

Answer 24

failure of passive transfer
access through naval, intestine or mucus membranes

Question 25

which antibiotics are used for enterotoxigenic E. coli septicemia?

Answer 25

ceftiofur
ampicillin

Question 26

what are the clinical signs with Clostridium perfringens enterotoxemia?

Answer 26

colic
bloat
depression
diarrhea
acute death
diffuse or multifocal hemorrhagic necrotizing enteritis and bloody fluid distension of intestine

Question 27

which serovar of salmonella is most common in calves <2 months of age?

Answer 27

S. enteritica serovar Typhimurium

Question 28

what are signs of coccidioisis?

Answer 28

diarrhea
poor weight gain
rough hair coats
sometimes neurological

Question 29

how can you treat coccidioisis?

Answer 29

amprolium
sulfadimethoxime

Question 30

how can you treat moderate to severe diarrhea?

Answer 30

oral fluids/electrolytes
SQ or IV fluids with glucose and bicarbonate
+/- parenteral antibiotics
single dose of NSAID or steroid

Question 31

what is the base deficit in a weak calf?

Answer 31

10-15 mEq/L

Question 32

how can you calculate the bicarbonate requirement for a calf?

Answer 32

body weight x base deficit x 0.5-0.6