Diarrhoea

Development and causes
Diarrhoeal diseases are among the most economically significant calf diseases. In the first weeks of life, they account for about 75-80% of all calf diseases (BOTHMER and BUDDE, 1992; BRÄNDLE, 2006).

Infectious diseases occur when the pathogen-immune system balance tips: The immune system is weakened or the pathogens are too many / too strong.
diarrhoea pathogen graphic

This keeps your calves healthy:

Risk factors for diarrhoea
  • Lack of hygiene
  • Many calves in a confined space
  • Biestmilch < 22 % Brix
  • < 4 litres of colostrum in the first 6 hours of life
  • Stress (heat, draught, ...)
Prophylaxis
  • Hygiene
  • Biestmilch management
  • Avoiding stress
  • Vaccination
  • Globigen (IgY)
Typical diarrhoeal pathogens:
diarrhoea pathogen graphic

Tips from practice:
  • Freshly born calves should only be housed in clean, freshly bedded calf hutches or calf pens.
  • The colostrum quality should be determined before watering. Only feed high-quality colostrum!
  • If the colostrum quality is not sufficient, a colostrum enhancer should be used.
  • If not enough colostrum is absorbed by the calf, a drencher can be used.
  • Allocate a fixed drinking bucket to each calf.
  • When buying drinking buckets, make sure that they are easy to clean
  • Change the teat after each calf
  • Use a rapid test to detect the pathogen