Calf scours 

Causes of calf scours 

There are two types of scours:

Nutritional - usually caused by stress caused by a breakdown in management routines. 

Infectious - which may be caused by:

• Parasites: Cryptosporidia, coccidia

• Viruses: Rotavirus, coronavirus 

• Bacteria: Salmonella, E. Coli 

Signs of calf scours 

Staining with faeces under the tail is the usual way of recognising calf scours. Calves with scour will defecate more frequently and faeces may have higher than normal water content. In certain cases, blood and mucus may also be visible. Calves may also be reluctant to feed or suffer weight loss and weakness.  

Treating calf scours 

Fluid therapy

The primary treatment of scours in calves should focus on replacing and then maintaining lost body fluids, correcting the electrolyte imbalance, and the supply of energy and nutrition. 

If a calf can be kept fully hydrated and rebalance lost electrolytes, it can recover. If fluid therapy has not returned the calf's behaviour to normal within 24-48 hours, consult with a veterinary surgeon. 

Life-Aid® Xtra from Norbrook is a complementary feed to be administered for the particular nutritional purposes of stabilizing water and electrolyte balance in calves. Visit  the Life-Aid® product page here. 

Pain therapy 

Scours can be a cause of significant pain and discomfort for calves. One common sign of pain or stress is the loss of appetite. 

Anti-inflammatory drugs have been proven to be of benefit in cases where infection has resulted in toxins being released into the bloodstream. 

Antibiotics 

The majority of calves with scour do not need antibiotics and most calves should be back to normal after 48 hours of fluid therapy, while the remainder may require a veterinary examination or targeted medical therapy. Targeted antibiotic therapy may be necessary when: 

• The calf is severely or systemically ill 

• The calf is significantly dehydrated 

• The calf has been ill for some time 

• There is colostrum transfer problem on the farm

• There is blood in the scour  

Ensure that animals treated with antibiotics are identified and clearly marked. 

Controlling calf scours 

There are several initiatives that can be  implemented to minimise the threat of calf scours. 

Before calving

• Ensure that pregnant cows are in good health 

• Colostrum is created by the cow 4- 6 weeks prior to calving. To maintain the quality of the colostrum, any health issues must be addressed during this period. 

• Separation of heifers and older cows can be of help to reduce competition and bullying  

At time of calving 

• Vigilant monitoring; provide assistance to the mother or calf when required 

• Maintain strict hygiene conditions 

• Any disease which prevents natural suckling requires correction

• Tube feed colostrum to animals which refuse to suck 

After calving

Ensure the calves needs are meet during the first weeks of life including:

• Appropriate nutrition and supplements 

• Fresh clean water 

• A Comfortable, clean and well ventilated environment 

• Ongoing disinfection of equipment

• Isolation of sick calves separate to healthy calves