Calf Scour Management Tips

EDMONTON - Feb 27/04 - SNS -- Alberta Agriculture reminds livestock producers that while calf scours can result in large financial losses, there are steps that can be taken that can reduce its impact.

"Scours is actually just the symptom of a disease that can be caused by many different viruses, bacteria and organisms," says Barry Yaremcio, beef/forage specialist, Alberta Ag-Info Center, Stettler.

"With scours, the intestine fails to absorb fluids and/or secretion, and the material is passed into the small and large intestines. These higher fluid levels in the manure result in a watery discharge. Death can occur in 50% or more of the severe episodes."

Calf scours is the most common symptom of illness in young calves. Most often it is a problem in the first month of life. Viruses like the rotavirus (most common) and bacteria like salmonella and E.coli, as well as coccidian and other internal parasites, can cause scours.

A calf's gut is immature and the weakest point of its system. When attacked by infectious agents, the lining of the bowel is damaged resulting in the loss of large amounts of body fluid into the gut. The calf is quickly dehydrated, electrolytes are unbalanced and energy reserves become depleted.

"As a calf is approximately 70% water at birth the loss of body fluids through diarrhea produces the rapid dehydration," says Yaremcio. "The younger the calf, the greater the chance of death."

There are several management strategies to help prevent scours from infecting calves:

* Calve heifers in a separate area from older cows. Their calves' immunity levels are typically lower than calves from older cows.

* Avoid wet calving barns where possible and try to calve on pasture if the weather permits, as one of the primary causes of scours is a wet, muddy and cold calving environment. The ideal calving environment would be a fairly steep hillside pasture with a windbreak, accompanied by warm, dry weather.

* Provide portable calf shelters on pasture to keep calves dry and protected from chilling winds. It is essential that these sheds be moved or cleaned out periodically.

* If calving in smaller spaces, turn the cow/calf pairs out to a clean pasture area as soon as possible.

* Isolate any scouring calves and treat immediately. Clean and disinfect the environment. Early isolation is critical to help prevent the spread of scours to other calves.

* Ensure cows and heifers have good body condition, and are on an appropriate nutrition program, to help ensure calves are born healthy and strong.

* Vaccinate the herd six and three weeks prior to the beginning of the calving season. Follow label instructions.

* Make sure that newborn calves receive adequate amounts of colostrum.

* Don't rely exclusively on vaccines. They won't be completely effective if the calves are born in a muddy area that is already infected.

If calves get scours, the immediate and most important treatment is to administer fluids, electrolytes and energy. Fluid is essential, but the fluid cannot be absorbed from the gut unless it contains electrolytes (salts) in proper proportions. If scouring is mild, calves should receive at least 10% of their body weight of fluids and electrolytes. They will need even more in severe cases.

"Use a high-quality electrolyte mixture administered with a stomach tube, twice daily," adds Yaremcio. "Don't mix the fluid and electrolytes with milk, as it will cause the milk to curdle and be of no benefit. Consult with a veterinarian on whether to use antibiotics, as some antibiotics can increase the severity of scours, and can cause muscle damage."

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