Diarrhea in Calves

Calf diarrhea is a multifactorial disease. The most common pathogens involved are viruses and cryptosporidia, which cause diarrhea by damaging the intestinal mucosa. The main pathophysiological consequences are loss of fluids and electrolytes and the development of metabolic acidosis. The most important treatment measure is oral rehydration therapy, which has to be initiated as soon as diarrhea is diagnosed. Intravenous therapy is indicated if dehydration is advanced and if clinical signs indicate profound acidosis. Antimicrobial treatment is only recommended in calves with severe systemic disease. The most important factors to prevent calf diarrhea are enhanced and prolonged colostrum feeding followed by a biologically normal (intensive) milk feeding program with ad libitum or close to ad libitum feedingAd-libitum feeding in the first three to four weeks of life followed by a slow reduction of feeding volumes up to weaning.