UPDATED: August 21, 2025 – An electrolyte solution is composed of water and a variety of salts. Of the many formulations available, almost all contain sodium, potassium, chloride and magnesium. Some manufacturers also include an energy source such as sugar. Knowing when to use an electrolyte solution and which one to choose can boost survival rates in scouring calves.
A normal, healthy calf can balance its intake and excretion of salts and minerals so its body remains in equilibrium. However, a calf with scours loses its ability to stay balanced because it passes excessive amounts of salt in its feces.
How to tell if electrolytes are needed
Read Also
Alberta eases water access for riparian restoration
Alberta government removes requirement for temporary diversion licence to water plants up to 100 cubic metres per day for smaller riparian restoration projects
The volume of feces that a calf passes is one way to tell if electrolytes are needed.
If a calf’s feces are soft but the volume is close to normal and the calf feels good, chances are the calf does not need electrolytes. If a calf has severe diarrhea and a higher volume of feces, it is losing salts and will need an electrolyte supplement.
Scouring calves should also be assessed for their hydration status. Dehydrated calves are less active than normal calves – they tend to be slow to get up at feeding time. A quick test for hydration is to tent, or pinch, the calf’s skin over the shoulders. If it stays tented for more than three seconds, the calf is dehydrated and needs supplemental fluids and electrolytes.
Though electrolyte solutions can replace lost salts, they are usually devoid of protein and fat, so a calf’s demand for these nutritional elements must be met by milk. This is the reason calves on electrolyte solutions should also be given milk or milk replacer.
When injectable fluids are needed
Occasionally, a calf is unable to absorb fluids given orally. The gut is already filled because an infection has halted absorption. These calves require injectable fluids. Every producer should have bottles of lactated Ringer’s solution on hand to inject subcutaneously, which means under the skin. If a calf is extremely dehydrated, lactated Ringers or another fluid should be administered intravenously.
The amount of electrolyte solution that a calf needs is based on its weight and degree of dehydration. If a calf is seven percent dehydrated and weighs 30 kilograms, it should be given 2.1 litres (30 x .07) of electrolyte solution to reverse its dehydration.
The calf must also be maintained with milk or milk replacer. For this, it requires 10 percent of its body weight every day, which means the same calf will need three L (30 x .10).
On the first day of treatment, this calf needs 5.1 L of electrolytes and milk. On subsequent days, it will need maintenance fluids plus additional fluids to compensate for the continued losses associated with its diarrhea. Many producers fail to meet these needs. If electrolytes are to be given as well as milk, separate the feedings by at least two hours to allow normal milk clotting and digestion.
A final consideration is the temperature of the fluid. Calves in need of electrolyte solutions are often hypothermic, which means their temperatures are below normal. What would you prefer if you were chilled: a warm cup of hot chocolate or a cold soda? Warming an electrolyte solution to body temperature before administration will combat hypothermia and make calves feel better more quickly.
