Treating & Preventing Calf and Lamb Scours: Expert Tips and Methods
Scours is a condition that can have serious consequences on both the health and the productivity of your herd/flock. In fact, it's the most common cause of death in newborn calves and lambs. In this article, we explain how to prevent calf and lamb scours in your herd/flock and what to do if your calves or lambs are affected.
Understanding calf and lamb scours
Scours is a common disease affecting newborn calves and lambs. It is characterized by severe diarrhoea, which is typically watery with a gray, green or yellow colour, and may be tinged with blood and mucous.
Profuse diarrhoea can quickly lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances in the affected calf or lamb. They might:
- Refuse to feed.
- Appear weak, listless and depressed.
- Be unable to stand.
- Have a persistently low body temperature.
- Have sunken eyes and dry skin.
What causes calf or lamb scours?
There are a number of potential causes for calf and lamb scours, which can be present on their own or in combination. It is most often caused by an infection with one of the following pathogens, although it is also influenced by the animal and its environment.
Escherichia coli (E.coli). Some strains of this bacteria cause calf and lamb scours by releasing toxins that encourage fluid production in the intestines, rather than absorption. Others physically damage the intestinal walls. Some can cause haemorrhagic diarrhoea, a serious type that involves heavy blood loss and shock.
Rotavirus. This virus damages the lining of the intestine, triggering acute diarrhoea, fluid loss and dehydration. It typically appears suddenly and spreads rapidly.
Cryptosporidium parvum. This protozoan parasite destroys the intestinal lining, making digestion and nutrient absorption difficult.
Salmonella. These bacteria also produce toxins and cause inflammation in the intestines. Salmonellosis can lead to sepsis in calves and lambs, and the bacteria can also cause infection in humans.
Other less common causes of calf and lamb scours include:
- Too much milk or poorly formulated milk replacement products.
- High doses of antibiotics for prolonged periods.
The importance of prompt calf and lamb scour treatment
Dehydration and electrolyte loss can quickly prove fatal for a vulnerable newborn. Prompt diagnosis and scour treatment can, therefore, mean the difference between life and death. Additionally, some pathogens can be highly contagious, so prompt treatment protects not just the calf or lamb, but also prevents spreading.
Intestinal damage can have a long-term impact on the calf or lamb's health. Digestion and nutrient absorption can be permanently affected, leading to low weight, nutritional deficiencies, chronic infections, and reproductive problems.
Not only is it difficult to see your calves or lambs sick and in distress, but it can also have serious implications for the financial productivity of the farm.
The earlier calf and lamb scour treatment is provided, the les severe the illness, and the better the outcome for all affected.
Calf and lamb scour treatment and supportive care
Isolation
Affected animals should immediately be separated from healthy ones to avoid transmission, and should be handled by different people with non-shared equipment. The sick calf or lamb should be housed in a clean, dry and well-ventilated area, protected from extreme temperatures.
Rehydration
The most important treatment priority is rehydrating the calf or lamb to restore fluid and electrolyte balance, even if dehydration is not obvious.
If the animal is able to suck, electrolytes such as Revive, can be given orally. In more serious cases, they may require hydration through an oral tube. However, if the calf or lamb is severely dehydrated, unable to stand, or refusing oral solutions, they will need intravenous rehydration administered by a qualified veterinary professional.
Nutrition
Electrolyte solutions can be alternated with milk or milk replacer at first, gradually decreasing the quantity of rehydration solution and increasing the quantity of milk or milk replacer. If the calf or lamb is able to sit upright but will not accept bottle feeding, milk and milk replacer can be given by tube under professional guidance.
Antibiotic therapy
Antibiotic therapy may be beneficial in cases with a bacterial cause. However, it is recommended to discuss this with your vet to ensure the correct diagnosis and use antibiotics only when required. The overuse of antibiotics can lead to problems like fungal overgrowth in the stomach, chronic diarrhoea, and antibiotic resistance. All antibiotics should be administered on the advice of a qualified professional.
Preventing calf and lamb scours
Prevention of calf or lamb scours involves building resistance in the animal and reducing environmental exposure to pathogens.
Building resistance
When the immune system encounters a pathogen for the first time, it creates antibodies to kill it. When the pathogen is encountered again, the immune system can quickly recognise it and create antibodies, giving it some resistance to infection.
A newborn calf or lamb relies on antibodies passed from the mother via her first milk, called colostrum. This should be done as soon as possible, ideally within six hours of birth. Ensuring that the calf or lamb receives plenty of colostrum during this time can help to build resistance against pathogens that might cause scours, including E.coli.
Vaccinations product antibodies. Vaccinating a pregnant cow or ewe with a designated scour vaccine, can help her build antibodies to common scour-related pathogens to pass on to her offspring.
Reducing exposure
Close confinement and poor hygiene practices can both increase exposure to scour-causing pathogens. Follow these guidelines to reduce risk:
- House animals in calf/lamb pens for at least the first month of life.
- Keep calf or lamb pens clean, dry and sheltered at all times.
- Clean and disinfect pens and feeding equipment thoroughly between animals.
- Use protective clothing footwear when in contact with animals.
Prevention is always the safest approach
Many newborn animals are sadly lost to calf and lamb scours, and those that survive can suffer long-term effects. To safeguard the health of your herd or flock, protect them with a preventative strategy that involves vaccination, prompt colostrum feeding, and excellent hygiene protocols. Ask your veterinarian for more information and to find out what would work best for your farm.
Additional support for calves
It is widely known that trace elements are critical for immunity and are used in large quantities when the body is under stress and the immune system is developing. MULTIMIN® is a trace element supplementation containing zinc, manganese, copper and selenium. Research conducted on New Zealand farms has shown that use of MULTIMIN® in dairy calves boosts their immune system during this period of high demand1. The greatest benefit was seen from treating at birth, as the highest levels of disease occurs in the first few weeks of life. Disease was reduced by 52%, and death rates dropped by 58% in calves treated with MULTIMIN®. MULTIMIN® is not on label for lambs and its use in lambs is not recommended.
1. Bates, A.J., Wells, M., Laven, R.A., Simpson, M. (2018). Effect of an injectable trace mineral supplement containing selenium, copper, zinc, manganese and chromium on health, and growth of dairy calves on four pastural dairy farms in New Zealand. June 2018.
