Scours in Bottle Calves

Scours in bottle-fed calves is a serious problem because it weakens the animal, slows growth and development and causes death if it is not properly treated. Calf scours, or calf diarrhea, is not a disease, but is a symptom of disease. A calf is approximately 70 percent water at birth and the young animal can lose 10 to 12 percent of its body weight in water losses due to scours. This loss of body fluids through diarrhea produces rapid dehydration and loss of electrolytes.

  1. Causes

    • Calf scours can be a symptom of microorganism infections caused by virus, bacteria, coccidia and protozoa. The three primary virus diseases evidenced by scours are rotavirus, coronavirus, and bovine virus diarrhea (BVD). Escherichia coli (E.coli), salmonella and enterotoxemia are the bacteria that cause calf scours and Cryptosporidium is the protozoan parasite. Two coccidi, Eimeria zuernii and Eimeria bovis, are responsible for calf infections resulting in scours. Calf scours can also be caused by nutritional disorders precipitated by irregular feeding or insufficient intake of colostrum.

    Colostrum

    • Newborn calves that consume 1 to 2 quarts of colostrum within two to four hours after birth are far less susceptible to scours and associated diseases than calves that do not receive adequate amounts. Allow bottle-fed calves to nurse their dams for the first three to four days following birth when the cows' milk contains colostrum. If this is not possible, feed calves colostrum through a stomach tube. Colostrum can be collected from other cows and given to calves immediately or frozen and used when needed. Colostrum contains a high level of antibodies that gives calves protection against disease until they can develop their own immune system.

    Feeding Sanitation

    • Bacterial infections can be reduced by practicing proper sanitation. Before use, fill feeding bottles with scalding hot water, add 1 tbsp. of household bleach and let the bottles sit as long as possible. When emptying the bottles, pour the bleach solution over both sides of the nipples. Rinse bottles and nipples thoroughly with pure hot water. Heat milk or milk replacer to 102 degrees Fahrenheit, which is the same as a calf's body temperature. Milk can be kept warm until feeding by placing the filled bottles in a metal bucket filled with 120 degree water.

    Treatment

    • Consult your veterinarian as soon as calf scours develop so the cause and an effective treatment can be identified. Since dehydration and loss of electrolytes are usually the cause of death, start giving affected calves an electrolyte solution immediately. Administer electrolytes once a day or as many as four times a day, depending upon the severity of the diarrhea. Continue to feed calves their daily allocations of milk during the period they are receiving electrolytes. In addition to electrolytes, treat calves with antibiotics orally and by injection.