Post by randiliana on Feb 11, 2007 12:02:51 GMT -5
Got the new Canadian Cattlemen Calving issue yesterday. It has a really good article on dehydration, so I will try to paraphrase the important stuff.
Conditions that increase the need for water(liquids)
- scours
- high environmental temperature
- feeding milk replacer with MORE than 15% solids
Mild scours may only cause the calf to lose an extra litre of water, but a severe case can lose as much as 8 litres (2 gallons) in one day. Since the calf is only drinking milk he cannot replace that much of a loss.
Signs of dehydration
- depression
-slow to get up at feeding time
- tacky mucous membranes
- nose is drier than normal
- skin tents and doesn't snap back in less than 3 seconds
- 3-5 seconds = mild dehydration (5% dehydration)
- 6-7 seconds = moderate dehydration. Eyes will also be sunken in (7% dehydration)
- more than 7 seconds = severe dehydration, eyes are quite sunken, no suckle reflex, cannot stand. (10% dehydration)
Treatment
For mild dehydration the calf needs at least 2 litres (100 lb calf) of liquids which can be given orally as long as the calf can stand without assistance, has some suckle reflex, and has no abdominal distension.
A calf with moderate dehydration needs at least 3 litres (100 lb calf) of liquids. These can be given orally if it can stand, suckle a bit, and abdomen isn't distended. If those requirements aren't met the liquids can be administered sub cutaneously with sterile liquids designed for IV use.
Severely dehydrated calves will require 4.5 litres of fluid to be given IV. If the calf responds well to the initial IV treatment can be continued orally.
Besides correcting the dehydration the calf will also need enough liquids to maintain hydration. A calf needs 10% of his bodyweight every day in liquids. A 45 kg(100 lb) calf needs 4.5L of fluids every day. This is in addition to anything given to combat dehydration.
Fluids can be milk OR electrolytes. If electrolytes are given orally as well as milk separate the feedings by at least 2 hours to allow the milk to clot and digest normally.
Finally, dehydrated calves are usually hypothermic as well, so it is a good idea to warm the electrolyte solution to body temperature before administering them. This will combat hypothermia, and will likely make the calf feel better faster.
Also, remember that while electrolytes themselves don't rehydrate the calf, the DO replace the minerals and salts that the calf is losing if it is scoured. They certainly don't hurt anything, and they are very likely to help!!
Conditions that increase the need for water(liquids)
- scours
- high environmental temperature
- feeding milk replacer with MORE than 15% solids
Mild scours may only cause the calf to lose an extra litre of water, but a severe case can lose as much as 8 litres (2 gallons) in one day. Since the calf is only drinking milk he cannot replace that much of a loss.
Signs of dehydration
- depression
-slow to get up at feeding time
- tacky mucous membranes
- nose is drier than normal
- skin tents and doesn't snap back in less than 3 seconds
- 3-5 seconds = mild dehydration (5% dehydration)
- 6-7 seconds = moderate dehydration. Eyes will also be sunken in (7% dehydration)
- more than 7 seconds = severe dehydration, eyes are quite sunken, no suckle reflex, cannot stand. (10% dehydration)
Treatment
For mild dehydration the calf needs at least 2 litres (100 lb calf) of liquids which can be given orally as long as the calf can stand without assistance, has some suckle reflex, and has no abdominal distension.
A calf with moderate dehydration needs at least 3 litres (100 lb calf) of liquids. These can be given orally if it can stand, suckle a bit, and abdomen isn't distended. If those requirements aren't met the liquids can be administered sub cutaneously with sterile liquids designed for IV use.
Severely dehydrated calves will require 4.5 litres of fluid to be given IV. If the calf responds well to the initial IV treatment can be continued orally.
Besides correcting the dehydration the calf will also need enough liquids to maintain hydration. A calf needs 10% of his bodyweight every day in liquids. A 45 kg(100 lb) calf needs 4.5L of fluids every day. This is in addition to anything given to combat dehydration.
Fluids can be milk OR electrolytes. If electrolytes are given orally as well as milk separate the feedings by at least 2 hours to allow the milk to clot and digest normally.
Finally, dehydrated calves are usually hypothermic as well, so it is a good idea to warm the electrolyte solution to body temperature before administering them. This will combat hypothermia, and will likely make the calf feel better faster.
Also, remember that while electrolytes themselves don't rehydrate the calf, the DO replace the minerals and salts that the calf is losing if it is scoured. They certainly don't hurt anything, and they are very likely to help!!