Calf Scours

 It is a broad, descriptive term referring to diarrhea in calves.

 It is not a single disease but a clinical sign associated with several diseases characterized
by diarrhea.
 Regardless of cause, diarrhea prevents the absorption yet excessive loss of fluids from
intestines thus leading to dehydration.

Types of Diarrhea

 Osmotic Diarrhea; Body fluids into lumen due to saline purgatives, over-feeding,
Disaccharadisae deficiency etc.
 Exudative Diarrhea; Due to inflammation or necrosis of GIT Lumen.
 Secretory Diarrhea; Due to E.coli, Alkaline isotonic or electrolyte rich fluids. It is
free of exudates.
 Abnormal Intestinal Movements; Due to hyper-excitability/convulsions/stress of
unexpected/sudden confinement.

Classification

 Non-Infectious
 Infectious

Non-Infectious

 Inadequate nutrition of dam specifically in last trimester leading to decreased quantity

and quality of colostrum. Such colostrum is deficient in Vit. A & E which leads to
scours.
 Insufficient care to newborn calf
 Not vaccinating the dams before mating/conception
 Inadequate availability of colostrums to calf

Infectious

Bacterial:

 E. Coli
 Salmonella Spp.
 Cl. Perferingenes

Viral:

 Rota Virus
 Corona Virus
 BVDV
  IBRV

Protozoal:

 Cryptosporidium
 Coccidia

Bacterial Causes

E. coli: Single most important cause of scours. Numerous strains cause the disease but certain have
Pilli/fimbrae which have a K99 antigen that produces enterotoxins, thus these bacteria can produce
toxins in intestines leading to diarrhea. This disease is associated with the early age specifically
first 5-10 days as it may be caused due to poor sanitation of calf environment as well as improper
handling of calf. This disease have highest mortality rate in early days of life as it leads to severe
dehydration.

Salmonella: These produce potent endotoxins within their own cells. Animals maybe more
suppressed with antibiotic treatment because these will lead to endotoxic shock so treatment should
be designed to combat endotoxic shock. Calves are usually affected at the age of days or more.
Sources are mother, birds, cats, water and human beings. Clinical findings include blood in feces,
depression, dehydration and elevated temperature.

Cl. Perferingenes: These cause enterotoxaemia-a fatal disease caused by Cl. Perferingenes type
B, C & D. There is sudden onset of disease and the pre-disposing factors are changes in weather,
feed and managemental practices of dam that cause them not to nurse the calves properly for a
longer period than normal. Hungry calves over consume milk, that establishes a media in gut of
calves for growth of bacteria and production of toxins. In many cases calves may die without
showing any clinical signs.

Viral Causes

Rota & Corona Viruses: Both of these viruses possess the ability to disrupt the cells which line
the small intestine. Corona virus also damages the cells in the intestinal crypts and slows down the
healing process in the intestinal lining. Both infections are accompanied by bacterial infection
leading to severe disease. Calves even one or two days old can be affected by these viruses.
Morbidity varies from 2-30% while mortality is quite variable depending upon the treatment.

BVD Virus: it causes death in young animals. Diarrhea starts after 26 hours to 3 days after
exposure and may persist for a long time. There are erosions and ulcers on tongue, lips and in
mouth.
IBR Virus: this virus mainly causes respiratory disease, vaginitis and conjunctivitis but there are
reports of gastrointestinal disease as well. Affected calves have erosions and ulcers in esophagus
and complicated by dullness, weight loss, scours and death.

Protozoan Causes

Cryptosporidium: These are smaller than coccidian and have the ability to adhere to the
intestinal mucosal cell linings and damage the microvilli. These are mostly detected with viral
infectious causes and E. coli. Calves are affected with Cryptosporidiosis at the age of 1-3 weeks
of age.

Coccidiosis: It is a seldom problem in calves however outbreaks occur at the age between 3-4
weeks of age and older. These are not considered as a main cause of scours but most outbreaks
occur due to stress, poor sanitation, over-crowding and sudden change in diet. Nervous signs
may also appear but tarry or bloody scours are most common.

Comparison of Small & Large Intestine Diarrhea

Condition Small Intestine Large Intestine

Blood Color Dark Red Bright Red
Volume Large Small
Urgency X 
Mucus X 
Tenesmus X 

Prevention of Scours

As calf scours occur due to a variety of infectious and non-infectious causes, so to

prevent these, following aspects should be considered;

Management Aspects: all facets of management are important but the 6 C’s of calf management
must always be kept in mind that’re;

 Care
 Colostrum
 Cleanliness
 Comfort
 Consistency
 Calories

Treatment: The main aim of treatment is to restore fluid and electrolyte balance that has been
disturbed due to excessive fluid loss. The electrolyte solution used to restore electrolyte balance is
as;
  10g Sodium Chloride
 5g Sodium Bicarbonate
 250g Glucose
 5 liters of luke warm water

Other treatment include antibiotic like tetracyclines specifically in case of E.coli infections.
Atropine is also recommended in small doses to control the bowel movements but it should be
administered with care as its large amounts could cause tachycardia.

Environment & Sanitation: These both are as much important as is the life of a calf. Provide a
clean and specific area to dam for calving. After calving and first nursing of calf, move both mother
and neonate to a nursing area/pen. If dam dies during or after parturition, the calf must be attended
immediately and surrogated by another dam or artificially provided with colostrums as first 6-24
hours of birth, colostrums provision is of great importance.

Vaccination Program: A well-planned, consistent and efficient vaccination program is an

effective tool to prevent scours and scour causing diseases in calves.

Reference:

This information was prepared for the Great Plains Beef Cattle Handbook by Gene White,
D.V.M... University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Kurt Wohlgemuth, D.V.M., North Dakota State
University-Fargo.

SODIUM LACTATE (HARTMANN’S)

Composition: the active ingredients in Hartmann’s solution comprise sodium chloride (6g/L),
sodium lactate (3.22g/L), potassium chloride (0.4g/L), and calcium chloride dihydrate (0.27g/L),
whilst the modified Hartmann’s solution contains the same compositions except potassium
chloride is fortified (2.2g/L).