Dr. Michelle Arnold, DVMDABVP (Food Animal)Ruminant Extension Veterinarian
University of Kentucky Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory
.
Neonatal Calf DiarrheaDr. Michelle Arnold- Ruminant Veterinarian, Associate Professor,
Clinical Title Serieshttp://
Esophageal Feeder
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tL0k398r2j4
Dehydration
Loss of fluid in feces & decreased fluid intake (depend on milk intake)
Decrease in plasma volume and extracellular fluid volume
This causes a decrease in cardiac output, oxygen delivery->hypovolemic shock
Assess Hydration Status
% Dehydration Demeanor Eyeball Recession *Skin Tent
(seconds)
<5 Normal None <1
6-8 (mild) Slightly depressed 2-4 mm (.1”) 1-2
8-10 (moderate) Depressed 4-6 mm (.2”) 2-5
10-12 (severe) Comatose 6-8 mm (.3”) 5-10
>12 Comatose/Dead 8-12 mm (.4”) >10
*Skin tent: Pinch skin on side of neck and twist 90 degrees; count when it disappearsEyeball recession-may be inaccurate if no body fat stores (chronic cachexia)
Lab testing: plasma protein concentration is best
Calf on the left ( A ) has a normal hydration status. There is no space
between the eyelid and the eyeball. The calf on the right ( B ) is severely
dehydrated. The eye is sunken at least 7 to 8 mm into the orbit.
Geof W. Smith
Treatment of Calf Diarrhea: Oral Fluid Therapy
Veterinary Clinics of North America: Food Animal Practice, Volume 25, Issue 1, 2009, 55 - 72
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cvfa.2008.10.006
Metabolic Acidosis in Calves
Acidosis is not correlated with degree of dehydration (D-Lactate concentration is very important); more severe in older calves (>7 days of age)
CNS depression
Decreased suckle response
Weakness/Inability to stand
Cold oral mucosa
Estimate Degree of Metabolic Acidosis
Calf Demeanor Base Deficit ≤8 days of
age
Base Deficit > 8 days of
age
Standing , strong
suckle reflex, warm
oral cavity, alert
0 (Oral fluids ) 5 (Oral Fluids)
Standing, weak suckle
reflex, cool oral cavity,
lethargic
5 mmol/L 10 mmol/L
Sternal recumbency,
weak to no suckle
reflex, cool oral cavity
10-12 mmol/L 15 mmol/L
Lateral recumbency, no
suckle reflex, cold oral
cavity
13 mmol/L 20 mmol/L
If calf is standing
And has a suckle reflex, can treat with oral rehydrationproducts
Oral electrolytes
Quick and easy-no catheter
A calf with any suckle reflex should tolerate oral fluids.
Often used to replace fluid loss, correct acid-base and electrolyte abnormalities, and to provide nutritional support
Big differences in products available
Diaque (BIVI)
Na+=90mM/L; K+=25mM/L; Cl-=55mM/L
Amino Acid-glycine (7mM/L)
Osmolality=377 mOsm/L
Alkalinizing Agent-bicarbonate (25mM/L) & Acetate (12mM/L)
SID=65
Glucose:Sodium=1.8:1
Psyllium-No
Good oral electrolyte product for calves
Agri-Labs Hydra-Lyte
Na+=90 mM/L; K+=30mM/L; Cl-=45mM/L
Amino Acid=glycine (16mM/L)
Osmolality=614 mOsm/L
Alkalinizing Agent-Acetate (60mM/L)
SID=75
Glucose:Sodium=3.3:1
Psyllium-No
Good oral electrolyte product for calves
Oral Electrolyte Feeding
Do not withhold milk feeding for prolonged periods of time-milk has never been proven to exacerbate diarrhea
Add electrolytes as an extra meal(dairy)
Beef calves-avoid high bicarbonate (may inhibit milk clot formation if bicarb>40)
Acetate products can be fed with milk
IV therapy is indicated in calves 8% dehydrated and/or if:
Signs of severe CNS depression or coma
Unable to stand, wobbly or recumbent
Absent or weak suckle reflex
Anorexia for more than 24 hours
Rectal temperature < 100° F
Cold oral mucosa
Rapidly progressing dehydration and consistent, profuse watery diarrhea
WHY IV and Not Oral?
Collapsed, dehydrated calves in severe shock can’t rapidly resorb sufficient amounts of oral or SQ fluids.
IV fluid therapy restores oxygen delivery and removes metabolic products of poorly perfused tissue.
Severely depressed calves that are not dehydrated need IV alkalinizing fluid
Neonatal Calf Diarrhea
Rotavirus/Coronavirus
E. coli K99
Salmonella spp.
Cryptosporidia
Clostridium perfringens type C
Septicemia
Rotavirus pathogenesis
Healthy villi
Stunted villi
Mechanism of Diarrhea
Secretory Diarrhea-net secretion of chloride, sodium, and water into the intestinal lumen
Malabsorptive Diarrhea-Damage to the small intestinal villi results in failure to absorb electrolytes and water
Diarrhea results in:
Dehydration
Metabolic acidosis
Electrolyte abnormalities
Negative energy balance
Overgrowth of small intestine with Gram (-) bacteria
Antimicrobial Use
Calves with diarrhea have an increased number of coliform bacteria in the small intestine
This occurs independent of cause
Overgrowth associated with energy malabsorption
Overgrowth persists after primary pathogen has been expelled
Antibiotics
Specific antibiotics are effective in decreasing mortality and increasing growth rate when administered to calves with diarrhea
Calves with simple diarrhea recover faster with antibiotics
Appropriate Antibiotics
Target coliform bacteria and coliform must be susceptible to it
Minimize risk of antibiotic resistance
Must reach suitable concentration in small intestine
Antibiotics in Calf Diarrhea
Bacteremia
Ceftiofur 1.1-2.2 mg/kg, IM/SC, q 12 h
Ampicillin (Polyflex) 10mg/kg, IM, q 12 h
Small Intestine
Polyflex 10 mg/kg, q 12 h
Amoxicillin trihydrate-clavulanate potassium (5:1, 12.5 mg/kg, q 12 h
Use antibiotics for 3-5 days.
If concurent pneumonia-Baytril is good choice
Ancillary Treatments
Acute diarrhea- Banamine
Chronic Diarrhea- B vitamins
Not recommended
-Intestinal protectants and motility modifiers (psyllium)
-Probiotics-may increase days of diarrhea
Scours Vaccine
Scours vaccine for E. coli, rota and corona viruses, Clostridium perfringens Type C
• usually given 1-2 months before calving
• Vaccine is expensive and has a short shelf life
Scours Vaccines
Scour Bos 9Initial: 5-7 mos;Booster at 8 mos;Annual: 6.5-7 mos
GuardianInitial: 7 mos; booster at 8Annual: 7.5-8 mos
Scour Guard 4KCInitial: 7 mos; booster at 8Annual: 8 months
Lower the Scours Challenge in the Environment by….
Providing cows and calves plenty of space during the calving season
Keeping calving areas, facilities and equipment as clean as possible
Separating scouring calves and their mothers from the rest of the herd
Using geotextile and rock to minimize mud
Goal: Clean Teats
Raise resistance to scours...keeping cows healthy
Manage pregnant females so that they are :
• A Body Condition Score of 5-6
• Not mineral deficient
• Free of internal and external parasites
• Vaccinated-Immune systems not compromised by viruses such as BVD
• Bred to calving-ease bulls so calves are born quickly
Raise resistance to scours... Vaccinate all healthy, pregnant females with the broad
spectrum scours preventive
Ensure each new calf ingests 2-3 quarts of high-quality, antibody-bolstered colostrum 2 hours after birth and another 2 quarts within 6 hours of birth
Sandhills Calving System: Move pregnant cattle to a new and distant site from the problem area
1 week old
pairs
Calving
Pasture
2-3 week old
pairs
An Important Concept
“The dumbest kidney is smarter than the smartest veterinarian”