Post by Debbie Lincoln on Apr 23, 2015 8:16:46 GMT -5
Many things can cause scours - nutrition, bacteria, stress and virus.
If your calf simply has developed runny poop, seems a bit less energetic and may even be grinding his teeth and does NOT have a high fever, snotty nose or horrible cough, this may be the protocol to get him through it. 90% of the time, it works for me.
I keep these things on hand for EVERY calf:
Kaolin
Oxy 500 Calf Bolus (available without Rx)
Probiotics
Electrolytes
Large syringe with no needle
Esophageal tube feeder
BEFORE he nurses, shoot a large syringe of kaolin into his mouth into which you have mixed one scoop of probiotics. Poke 1/2 tablet of Oxy 500 Calf bolus down throat. (this is oxytetracycline and is for the treatment of bacterial enteritis (scours) and bacterial pneumonia). 1/2 tablet treats up to 100 pounds.
I let them nurse (or bottle feed) at 7:00 am and 7:00 pm, give or take. In between, I offer electrolytes (1:00 pm) with 1/4 cup kaolin in it. (this only works if your calf knows a bottle - if dehydration is severe, you may need to tube him.
I administer the tablets twice a day for a 2 to 3 days, and use the kaolin/probiotics for a full 2 to 3 weeks, until poop is consistently normal.
If they are hungry/thirsty (and used to a bottle), they will gladly drink the electrolytes. If they refuse it, I don't worry about it. Of my most recent 2, one would drink a quart of electrolytes, the other refused. Neither looked terribly dehydrated and always maintained an alert attitude, but their poop was watery pea soup and I could tell their tummies hurt, because one was grinding his teeth. Loudly.
The kaolin is a stomach soother/gut slower-downer and is used regularly in many calf-raising enterprises as a matter of course. It has been a life saver for many of my calves. Pepto-Bismol is a more expensive emergency substitute. I buy farm-use kaolin by the gallon, available at Tractor Supply or just about ay farm store.
Hope this helps!
EDITED TO ADD: If your calf has a high fever (over 103* F) , it's OK to do all the above, but in addition, you may also need a high-powered anti-biotic. PLEASE CONSULT YOUR VETERINARIAN. Virus caused high fever in calves can kill them quickly!
If your calf simply has developed runny poop, seems a bit less energetic and may even be grinding his teeth and does NOT have a high fever, snotty nose or horrible cough, this may be the protocol to get him through it. 90% of the time, it works for me.
I keep these things on hand for EVERY calf:
Kaolin
Oxy 500 Calf Bolus (available without Rx)
Probiotics
Electrolytes
Large syringe with no needle
Esophageal tube feeder
BEFORE he nurses, shoot a large syringe of kaolin into his mouth into which you have mixed one scoop of probiotics. Poke 1/2 tablet of Oxy 500 Calf bolus down throat. (this is oxytetracycline and is for the treatment of bacterial enteritis (scours) and bacterial pneumonia). 1/2 tablet treats up to 100 pounds.
I let them nurse (or bottle feed) at 7:00 am and 7:00 pm, give or take. In between, I offer electrolytes (1:00 pm) with 1/4 cup kaolin in it. (this only works if your calf knows a bottle - if dehydration is severe, you may need to tube him.
I administer the tablets twice a day for a 2 to 3 days, and use the kaolin/probiotics for a full 2 to 3 weeks, until poop is consistently normal.
If they are hungry/thirsty (and used to a bottle), they will gladly drink the electrolytes. If they refuse it, I don't worry about it. Of my most recent 2, one would drink a quart of electrolytes, the other refused. Neither looked terribly dehydrated and always maintained an alert attitude, but their poop was watery pea soup and I could tell their tummies hurt, because one was grinding his teeth. Loudly.
The kaolin is a stomach soother/gut slower-downer and is used regularly in many calf-raising enterprises as a matter of course. It has been a life saver for many of my calves. Pepto-Bismol is a more expensive emergency substitute. I buy farm-use kaolin by the gallon, available at Tractor Supply or just about ay farm store.
Hope this helps!
EDITED TO ADD: If your calf has a high fever (over 103* F) , it's OK to do all the above, but in addition, you may also need a high-powered anti-biotic. PLEASE CONSULT YOUR VETERINARIAN. Virus caused high fever in calves can kill them quickly!