Calf Scours: 5 Tips for Combating Pathogens

Key Takeaways

• Scours is the leading cause of death in calves 2 to 30 days old, making early prevention critical to calf survival and performance.
• Protection starts with the cow. Vaccinating pregnant cows allows antibodies to pass through colostrum, giving calves their first line of defense against scours-causing pathogens.
• Early colostrum intake matters. Calves must receive adequate, high-quality colostrum quickly to support immunity, with supplementation especially helpful during cold, wet, or stressful conditions.
• Prompt treatment saves lives. Oral antibodies, proper fluid and electrolyte therapy, and antibiotics when bacterial infection is present help manage scours and prevent dehydration.

Within the first few hours of life, a calf gets up and is likely to suckle everything within reach as it searches for the udder. In the process, the calf is at risk for picking up various pathogens along the way. As these pathogens make their way to the gut, the calf can quickly develop scours and become dehydrated. Implement these best practices to help achieve calf health and prevent scours from impacting your calf crop.

 

Maternal Protection

Because the cow provides her calf with protection via the colostrum, scour prevention should start with her. When pregnant cows are vaccinated against bacterial and viral pathogens, they pass along the protection to calves through their colostrum.

 

Colostrum

It’s important that the calf receive adequate colostrum to achieve passive transfer of immunity from disease. Supplementation may be desirable, especially during inclement weather, which can increase pathogen load and weaken the calf’s immune system.

Antibodies

Scour protection vaccines may be administered orally to newborn calves within the first six to 12 hours of life.

Fluid Therapy

Proper rehydration with a balanced electrolyte formula is crucial for scouring calves.

Antibiotics

Utilize sulfas and antibiotics that are indicated for scours caused by bacterial infection.

Featured Products

• Scour Bos 9
• Colostrx CS
• Calf Fluid Feeder