Young animals: Calf problems (new)
The most common ailments of calves and young stock are diarrhea and pneumonia. Many diseases of newborn calves can be controlled with proper hygiene and health management.
Although calves will inevitably be exposed, minimizing risk factors will result in fewer infections and illness in calves.
Other types of diarrhea in calves and young animals
Usually it is difficult to make a definite diagnosis based purely on the clinical signs. However, a presumptive diagnosis may be made based on the history, age of the calf, and symptoms. Faecal samples from both sick and healthy calves should be taken for submission to a laboratory, together with, if possible, a living sick animal. Some examples are listed below:
Clostridial diarrhoea affects calves/lambs/kids of a few days old, which are strong and have good appetite. Onset is sudden with depression, weakness, bloody diarrhoea, abdominal pain and death within a few hours. Clostridia produce a lot of toxin which kills very fast. Most die before treatment can be started.
Viral infections such as those due to Rotavirus or Coronavirus affect calves of 5 – 15 days old but can affect older calves up to several months of age. Most are only moderately depressed and continue to suck and drink milk. The faeces are soft to liquid, and often contain large amounts of mucous. The diarrhoea often persists for several days. Response to fluid and electrolyte therapy and nutritional support is usually very good.
Cryptosporidiosis occurs most commonly in the second week of life, with persistent diarrhoea which does not respond to treatment. Often it is mild and self limiting but if mixed with other organisms may be severe and life-threatening.
Dietary diarrhoeas occur in calves less than 3 weeks old and shows pasty faeces often of a gelatinous consistency. Initially calves are bright and alert and have good appetites but if the diet is not corrected they become weak and emaciated.
Many infectious forms of diarrhoea are often complicated by poor quality feeds or insufficient nutritional intake.
Worms - When calves/lambs/kids start to graze they can also develop diarrhoea due to worm infection (see link to worms).
Poisoning - Another possible cause for diarrhoea can be plant poisoning (link to plant poisoning) and contaminated feed (especially Aflatoxin!).