Treating scours
Scours is a potentially fatal calf disease that can be caused by bacteria, viruses, internal parasites, stress or just feeding mistakes.
“When scours hits, water electrolytes, sugars and amino acids are lost from the calf’s body,” said Ken Ziegler, cow-calf specialist with Alberta Agriculture.
“A calf can lose 10 percent of its body weight in just one day. Calves will usually die if they suffer a 20 percent loss.”
The calf suffers dehydration, produces excess acid and an imbalance of body salts that can poison its heart. Blood pressure and flow are reduced and kidney function slows.
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“Colostrum, the first milk, is loaded with antibodies to help a calf fight disease,” said Ziegler. “These antibodies are absorbed right into the calf’s bloodstream without being digested. A calf should get a meal of colostrum within 15 minutes of birth and should consume at least two quarts within the first six hours. When a cow dies and can’t furnish a newborn with colostrum, producers should have a supply of frozen colostrum from mature cows on hand.”
Milk replacer for calves should be at least 20 percent protein, 15 percent fat and no more than 0.5 per cent fibre.
Some bacteria thrive on milk, so discontinue milk or milk replacer at the first sign of serious scours and hold back for at least 24 hours after symptoms are gone.
“Put a sick calf in a warm, dry place,” said Ziegler. “If it refuses to suckle, develops cold legs or shrunken eyes, call a vet.”
For moderate cases, replace the calf’s lost body fluids, then restore the body’s normal acid-base balance and furnish nutrients.
Most diarrhea will run its course.
Antibiotic drugs can help if the scours is caused by bacteria. However, drugs won’t help against infections from viruses and can wipe out beneficial organisms in the digestive tract.
Duane Miksch, a veterinarian at the University of Kentucky, says commercial scour remedies that contain drugs to relax the infected bowel can cause increased absorption of the poisonous toxins into the bloodstream.
The best way to fight scours is to feed the calf a special liquid that replaces what the body is losing. Several replacements are available commercially or you can make a quality fluid using common ingredients from your grocery store.
Miksch recommends this scours formula:
1 package of fruit pectin
1 teaspoon Liteo salt (a low sodium/high potassium salt used for high blood pressure patients, can be found in health food stores)
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 – 101Ú2 oz can of beef
consomme
Enough warm water to make two quarts of liquid
“The response to this formula can be dramatic,” said Miksch.
“Within a few hours, a calf that was almost dead can be on its feet. The fruit pectin contains sugar for energy and pectin to soothe the inflamed gut. The Lite salt has electrolytes – sodium, potassium and chloride – to replace lost chemicals. Baking soda furnishes more sodium and bicarbonate to neutralize excess acid. The beef consomme, a condensed soup, offers amino acids and additional electrolytes.”
The formula should be given two or three times daily until the calf is free of diarrhea for 24 hours. If the calf has been nursing, milk the cow out before putting the calf back on her.
