Calf Problems: Diganosis, Treatment, Prevention and Control of Diarrhoea

Question 1

What are the measurements of clinically important acidosis?

Answer 1

Blood gas analysis: <12.5 mmol/l HCO3
pH meter: <7.1

Question 2

What is the best indicator of the likelihood of very severe acidosis?

Answer 2

Age of calf
Under 6 days of age - mild/moderate acidosis
Over 6 days - more severe acidosis

Question 3

What factors contribute to the probability of clinical disease of calf scours on a farm?

Answer 3

degree of challenge x susceptibility

Question 4

Factors affecting the degree of calf susceptibilty on a farm?

Answer 4

Inadequate colostrum
Environmental stress
Nutritional errors
Concurrent disease

Question 5

What are the three major aspects of treatment of scouring calves?

Answer 5

Fluid therapy
Nursing
Improved environment

Question 6

List 7 metabolic affects of diarrhoea

Answer 6

Dehydration and haemoconcentration.
Metabolic acidosis
Reduction in plasma Na+
Plasma K+ falls, then later rises
BUN rises
reduced renal perfusion
Plasma glucose falls

Question 7

List 5 aims of therapy of scouring calves.

Answer 7

Maintain calf growth rates
Return calves to normal feeding
Minimise mortality
Reduced spread to other calves
Reduce risk of human infection

Question 8

How much fluid does a scouring calf need?

Answer 8

5-10 litres over 24 hours

Question 9

What are the three factors that would allow the choosing of an oral fluid?

Answer 9

Rehydration ability
Ability to correct acidosis
Nutritional ability

Question 10

Which two pathogens indicate the use of antibiotics in scouring calves?

Answer 10

E.coli
Salmonella

Question 11

How much colostrum should a calf recieve in what amount of time after birth?

Answer 11

Up to 10% of calf’s body weight within 6 hours of birth

Question 12

What pathogen can Halocur help to prevent?

Answer 12

Cryptosporidium parvum