Calf scour

Question 1

How can the calf’s immunity and resistance to disease be boosted?

Answer 1

• timing of feeding (first 6-12hrs)
• fed twice a day for first 3 wks of life
• colostrum storage in a lidded drum, stirred regularly and refridgerated or added preservation
• should be fed highest quality of colostrum
• new born calves need 2l of warm colostrum at first feed

Question 2

How can minimising infectious pressure be achieved via housing?

Answer 2

Calf housing should be at least 20m from milking shed
Calves should be moved around shed as little as possible. Bobbies should be housed separately
Stocking density- calves need a minimum of 1.5m2. no more than 100 calves per shed or 20 per pen
Clean ,dry bedding replaced completely between seasons and refreshed during the season
Housing-should be dry and draught free with good drainage and ventilation systems. Partitions between calf pens should be solid

Question 3

Define secretory diarrhoea

Answer 3

Electrolytes excreted, water follows

Question 4

Define osmotic diarrhoea

Answer 4

Water drawn into intestinal lumen

Question 5

Define malabsorption diarrhoea

Answer 5

intestinal lining damaged, can no longer absorb

Question 6

what are the bacterial causes of calf scour?

Answer 6

salmonella, e.coli and campylobacter

Question 7

Name the viral causes of calf scour

Answer 7

rotavirus, coronavirus

Question 8

What are the parasitic causes of calf scour?

Answer 8

worms, cryptosporidia, coccidosis

Question 9

Describe E.coli

Answer 9

• gram negative
• anaerobic rod bacteria
• common in calves <5 days
• signs= pyrexia, blood, wet mouth, distended abdomen, foul smelling

Question 10

Describe salmonella

Answer 10

• mainly in calves <2 months
• via mothers milk or environment
• engulfed into intestinal lymphoid cells
• signs= pyrexia, blood, septicaemia, vascular necrosis

Question 11

Describe rotavirus

Answer 11

age= 5-21 days
adult immune carriers
found in normal calves
invade enterocytes
signs- older, white scour, dehydrated

Question 12

Describe cryptosporidium

Answer 12

age= 1wk-3months
- invagination of luminal membrane
signs= dehydration

Question 13

Descrie coccidiosis

Answer 13

age= 3wks-3mths
rupture of enterocytes
signs- older/bloody scour, abdominal pain
adult immunity

Question 14

When does necrotic enteritis commonly occur in beef calves?

Answer 14

7-10 weeks old

Question 15

What are the consequences of scouring?

Answer 15

• dehydration
• azotaemia
• electrolyte losses
• acidosis
• hyperkalaemia

Question 16

What percent of dehydration is considered fatal?

Answer 16

12-14%

Question 17

What are the causes of metabolic acidosis?

Answer 17

intestinal loss of sodium
loss of bicarbonate into the gut
lactic acid production in shocked tissues

Question 18

How does metabolic acidosis present in the calf?

Answer 18

Progressive depression
Decreased suckle reflex
Weakness and incoordination
Inability to stand or sit up
Coma

Question 19

How would you know if there is D lactate?

Answer 19

absent suckle reflex

Question 20

What should be given for mild acidosis?

Answer 20

lactated/acetate fluids

lactated ringers

Question 21

What should be given for moderate acidosis?

Answer 21

lactated/acetate fluids plus 15g bicarb

Question 22

What should be given for severe acidosis?

Answer 22

Lactated/acetate fluids plus 35g bicarb or bolus 10ml/kg of 8.4% hypertonic sodium Bicarb

Question 23

What is the general rule of bicarb?

Answer 23

only admin it in calves older than 7 days that failed to respond to fluids only and also have clear signs of acidosis

Question 24

What rate should bicarb be given?

Answer 24

80 ml/kg/hr

Question 25

What isn’t recommended?

Answer 25

mixing electrolyte products with milk

feed with space of 1.5hrs between them both

Question 26

Describe further treatment

Answer 26

treat/prevent septicaemia/bacteriaemia
control pain
provide nutrition
encourage immunity/resistance
decrease number of coliforms

Question 27

When should antimicrobials be given?

Answer 27

if there are systemic signs (pyrexia, decreased app, lethargy)
blood/mucosa present
suspected salmonella or E.coli

Question 28

Name an example of an antimicrobial that can be used?

Answer 28

norodine

Question 29

Name an NSAID that can be used?

Answer 29

meloxicam

Question 30

How should the calf be nursed?

Answer 30

• isolate from others
• keep warm (calf jackets)
• access to fresh, clean water
• feeding of milk- little and often
• monitor response to treatment
• B vits, probiotics etc