The calf has diarrhea - what to do? This issue is now relevant for many farmers. Diarrhea in young cows is one of the most common diseases and most often causes death of calves. Despite the fact that private farms and livestock farms encounter this disease often and everywhere, they have not yet effectively learned how to prevent and treat it. A cure for diarrhea in 100% of cases is not yet developed for calves.
Causes of diarrhea in calves
The causes of the disease lie in unformed immunity. Diseases of calves (especially newborns) are mainly due to the insecurity of a small organism in front of environmental factors. Immunity in babies has not yet been formed and is practically not able to withstand bacteria, germs and other irritants.
Sometimes the cause of diarrhea, overtaking from 50 to 100 percent of young cows and in 60% of cases leading to death, is malnutrition. Even the slightest deviation from the rules can provoke a disease. True, to cure a calf in this case is quite realistic even without the use of medications. But if diarrhea is the result of a caught virus, fighting it is much more difficult. And folk remedies can not do.
What is diarrhea fraught with?
Even if you managed to save the calf and cure diarrhea, this insidious sore will for a long time affect the well-being of the animal and its development. Calves with diarrhea are lethargic and have a poor appetite. They are far behind in weight from their peers. After all, in just one day of diarrhea, the baby loses about 5-10% of the mass (it leaves with the liquid), and it will take time to restore the lost. As a rule, weight returns to normal by the age of 20 days. But for a long time, the dynamics of its recruitment will be slowed down, and in the future, females who have had diarrhea in childhood will give less milk.
Types of diarrhea in young cows
Diarrhea in calves, depending on the cause, can be of different types. Consider the main ones.
- Diarrhea in newborns. It happens in very small animals (from one to seven days old). Called by the acclimatization features of the newborn. With proper care, proper nutrition and the use of some folk remedies, it takes about three days and does not pose a serious threat to life.
- Diarrhea caused by improper feeding. Foods containing too much salt, as well as nitrates, toxins, toxic metals, mold fungi that enter the calf’s body along with food can cause serious food poisoning. Often in such cases, the calf has diarrhea with blood, and it is not easy to cure it.
Viral diarrhea
Diarrhea caused by viruses - the course of the disease and the chances of recovery here depend on the degree of damage to the body. The type of virus also matters. For example, diarrhea resulting from a strain of E. coli is characterized by profusion. The disease is acute, in almost 100% of cases its occurrence provokes poisoning with toxins and sepsis, leading to death. Rotavirus infections cause profuse diarrhea, accompanied by animal depression, loss of appetite, fever, etc. The excreted feces have a straw yellow color, an acidic smell and a watery consistency (sometimes there is mucus in the feces). Similar symptoms and diseases caused by coronavirus infection. Only feces are yellow-green in color, and body temperature is either normal or low.
How to treat diarrhea medically
Diarrhea in a calf - how to treat it? Having noticed the slightest health problems in the baby, it is best to consult a doctor. The veterinarian called to the house will determine the cause, make a diagnosis and prescribe treatment. If diarrhea is triggered by viruses or food poisoning, it is likely to be medication. Distinguish the main types of drugs.
- Preparations for oral rehydration. They fight dehydration and restore salt losses. They contain potassium, sodium, chlorine, glucose, sucrose, etc. They are sold in the form of powders from which solutions are made. Act quickly and without side effects. They have no contraindications.
- Sorbents. Prevent intoxication of the body.
- Slowing intestinal motility. Absorption of overcooked food is almost not affected, but tone and motility are reduced.
- Enzymes. They are prescribed in cases where diarrhea is caused by enzymatic disorders of the digestive system.
- Probiotics The physiological balance of the intestinal microflora is corrected. There are microbial and non-microbial origin.
We treat diarrhea in a calf: folk remedies
There are many popular methods of combating diarrhea in young cows. They have been tested for centuries and today are used in cases where diarrhea is caused by feeding errors, and the disease is mild. They can also be used in the treatment of more complex abnormalities in combination with medications. Diarrhea in a calf - how to treat it from folk remedies? Consider the most popular and effective methods.
- Onion infusion. It is prepared on the basis of physiological saline (8.6 grams of sodium chloride dissolved in 1 liter of boiling water). The solution should be poured into a bottle (capacity - 2.5-3 l), to the cork of which a siphon with rubber tubes and a special clamp is attached. Then chop 200 grams of onion (with red scales) using a meat grinder or grater and add to the solution. Shake the mixture for a couple of minutes. Gently pour 100 grams of sunflower oil on the bottle’s wall so that it completely covers the surface of the solution. You can store the prepared product for no more than two days. The solution is removed using a siphon and give the animals three to five milliliters per kilogram of weight. Reception mode: five times in a row every hour.
- Tea nutrient mixture. Dissolve the proteins of three chicken eggs and 1 incomplete tablespoon of salt in 1 liter of black tea brewed to the temperature of fresh milk. The dose is 10 grams per kilogram of calf weight.
- Beetroot juice. They successfully treat bloody diarrhea, applying at the very beginning of the disease in the form of enemas. At one time, 3-4 portions of 300 ml are administered. Repeat every 2 hours. This procedure can quickly cure even the most severe forms of diarrhea. If the calf is very tiny, half a liter of table beet juice will be enough. For older individuals, it needs 3-4 liters.
Other folk remedies
A decoction of oats is good for diarrhea. High-quality oat grains are poured with water in a proportion of 1:10 and boiled over low heat for 6-8 hours. Filter and give the baby. You can water the calf from the pot or from a small bucket.
The calf has diarrhea - what else to do in such cases? You can apply decoctions from some other plants. Very popular are St. John's wort, serpentine, pine needles, flax, chamomile and other herbs. Their broths water sick kids.
General veterinarian recommendations for diarrhea in calves
Diarrhea in a calf - how to treat? It is better not to rely only on folk remedies, but also turn to a medical assistant. In addition to the specific treatment, the invited veterinarian at home will most likely give universal recommendations for combating diarrhea. For instance:
- plentiful drink.
- diet (saline solutions instead of colostrum, electrolytics in parallel with milk intake, etc.).
- strict diet.
- cosiness and comfort. Sick calves often freeze, so the room in which they are located needs to be insulated.
Prevention of diarrhea in young cows
Diarrhea in a calf - how to treat? The means and methods described above. However, any problem is easier to prevent than to solve. Including diarrhea in calves. If you adhere to the basic rules for the care of young animals, in most cases the disease can be avoided.
- It is important to vaccinate cows to prevent viruses from entering their body and the calf’s body — along with milk or colostrum.
- Colostrum must be of high quality and be supplied in sufficient quantities.
- Boxes containing calves must be dry and clean. They should be put in order even before the baby is born.
- It is advisable to minimize the calf’s contacts with the manure of other animals — it may contain pathogens. It is better to isolate the newborn from everyone except mom.
- Calves should always have clean dishes and high-quality feed.
- It is important to observe a hard day.
- In order to prevent calf diarrhea, starting from the age of six days, from time to time you can drink sour milk and lime water.
Never hope that the disease goes away on its own. In order to prevent complications, it is better to use folk remedies, as well as call a veterinarian who will prescribe medication after examination.