Diarrhea in Neonatal Livestock

Question 1

What influences the susceptibility of the neonate to undifferentiated diarrhea?

Highlighted in notes!

Answer 1

Adequacy of transfer of passive antibodies from colostrum

Question 2

Neonates born to 1st-time mothers have a ____ (higher or lower) risk of developing infection diarrhea?

Answer 2

Higher

Question 3

Calves born to heifers are at (more or less) risk for diarrhea than calves born to cows?

Answer 3

More

Question 4

What are the four main pathogens involved in neonatal diarrhea?

Answer 4

• Enterotoxigenic E. coli
• Cryptosporidium parvum
• Rotavirus
• Coronavirus

Question 5

What is the “cornerstone” of treatement for neonatal diarrhea?

Highlighted in notes!

Answer 5

Fluid and electrolyte replacement

Milk and oral electrolytes should not be feed at the same time

Question 6

What are clinical signs of neonatal diarrhea?

Answer 6

• Prodromal colic
• Watery, yellow/green/white diarrhea
• Dehydration
• Wet lips
• Milk staining on face
• Metabolic acidosis
• Altered mentation and weakness (hypoglycemia)
• Lethargy, ataxia, weakness
• Poor suckle
• Progresses to comatose state
• Convulsions

Prodromal colic: Trying to stretch or kick belly because it hurts

Question 7

What is the single-most critical factor in environmental management for neonates raised with their dams?

Highlighted in notes!

Answer 7

Udder hygiene

Question 8

Rehydration Therapy Guildlines

Answer 8

1. Standing, intact suckle response = Oral rehydration therapy
2. Recumbent or weak, poor suckle, severe dehydration = Intravenous fluid therapy (gut may be poorly perfused)

Question 9

What is in oral rehydration therapy?

Answer 9

1. Water
2. Na, Cl, K
3. Source of base (sodium bicarbonate or sodium acetate)
4. Glucose
5. Glycine

Question 10

Why should you avoid co-feeding oral rehydration therapy with milk?

Answer 10

Impairs curd formation and milk digestion

Question 11

What is a potential negative of oral rehydration therapy?

Answer 11

Potential source of sodium toxicity if misused

Question 12

What is the goal of intravenous fluid therapy?

Answer 12

To resuscitate so that oral fluid can replace it

Question 13

What forms of treatment are used for neonatal diarrhea?

Answer 13

• Rehydration therapy (oral)
• IV fluid therapy
• Nutritional support
• NSAIDs
• Adsorbents/ protectants and probiotics
• Nursing care

Question 14

What is the best form of nutritional support?

Answer 14

• Milk is best!
• Milk replacer is 2nd best

Question 15

Why are NSAIDs used for neonatal diarrhea?

Answer 15

• Inflammation
• Fever
• Discomfort (malaise)

Question 16

It is not enough to just deliver the neonate, you also must ensure…

Answer 16

Colostrum intake

Question 17

What can you do to “prevent disasters?”

Answer 17

Do NOT:
* Milk dirty udders, put clean colostrum or milk in dirty bottles
* Let colostrum sit at room temperature
* Use same milk bottles, nipples, or stomach tubes for sick and healthy calves
* Practice poor hygiene during milk preparation

Question 18

When thinking about prevention it is important to remember

Answer 18

• Agents are everywhere!
• Management of animals matters!

Management determines whether agents accumulate into infectious doses

Question 19

Prevention of neonatal diarrhea

Answer 19

• Keep udder clean
• Limit congregation
• Neonatal Housing