Diarrhoea in the young calf is a commonly occurring challenge on many farms. Recent research by MSD Animal Health, completed as part of their Youngstock Survey, indicated that 90% of dairy farms had experienced scour in calves in the previous 12 months and that over 65% had experienced mortality due to scour. Diarrhoea is reported as a major cause of morbidity and mortality in early life, which can result in significant economic losses and potential welfare challenges.
A team approach involving calf rearers, vets and nutritionists are central to the successful management of scours. Sharing ideas in order to develop a common approach, with clear protocols, can really support consistent management on the farm.
Key Focus Areas
Colostrum
Successful passive transfer of Colostrum is the foundation of a successful calf rearing system. Adequate colostrum intake is crucial for protecting against early life health conditions as well as supporting optimal growth rates and performance.
Having a consistent colostrum protocol in place is essential and working alongside your vet to monitor its success is crucial
Cleanliness
A well-defined hygiene policy will ensure consistency between everyone involved. Calf units cannot be too clean! Cleanliness starts in the calving pen so stocking rates and clean-out protocols should be regularly assessed, and calf pens should be cleaned and disinfected after every occupancy.
Make sure a disinfectant active against the common scour bugs are used and applied at the correct concentration for the correct amount of time. Focus on keeping all feeding equipment clean, and ensure teats are regularly changed.
Rehydrate for recovery
Proactively offer OsmoFit as soon as calves fail to drink their milk allocation – one of the first signs that something is not right. Never mix OsmoFit in a milk replacer or milk, but feed separately between milk feeds.
Extreme caution should be taken around home mix electrolytes. The aim is to provide a calf with the optimum and delicate balance of minerals and sugars to support effective rehydration. Get it wrong and you are at risk of making things worse.
You can’t have enough clean water
Make sure all calves have access to good quality, clean water. Regularly test borehole water and ensure head tanks are free from contamination. Clear troughs or bowls out regularly.
Energy is key for supporting calves to recover during an outbreak
Milk feeding should always be fed as close to appetite as possible; LifeStart Science highlights the benefits of a minimum of eight litres per day. During a scour outbreak consider reducing meal size and increasing meal frequency if required to support intake.
It is essential to continue to feed a high-quality, highly digestible milk replacer with a high energy density and low osmolality – adequate nutrition in early life can provide great support during a disease outbreak.
What is causing the problem?
Quick pen side scour diagnostic kits can be useful but the results need a careful interpretation that can be supported by your vet. Additional testing can help highlight root causes, allowing a tailored treatment plan to be developed.
