Preventing Calf Scours

Key Takeaways

• Newborn calves are highly vulnerable to scours in the first hours of life as they ingest pathogens while searching for the udder.
• Vaccinating pregnant cows helps transfer protective antibodies through colostrum, making adequate intake critical for early immunity.
• Supplemental colostrum and scour protection antibodies can support calves during high risk periods, especially in cold, wet conditions.
• Maintaining clean, dry calving areas and avoiding cross fostering helps reduce exposure to hard to treat infections like cryptosporidiosis.

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. As these pathogens make their way to the gut, the calf can quickly develop scours and become dehydrated.

When pregnant cows have been vaccinated against bacterial and viral pathogens like E coli, Rotavirus and Coronavirus, they pass along the protection to calves through their colostrum. It’s important that the calf received adequate colostrum in order to achieve passive transfer of immunity from disease. You may wish to feed a supplemental dose of Colostrum, especially when the weather is poor. Cold, damp, and muddy conditions can increase the pathogen load and weaken a calf’s immune system.

Scour protection Vaccines may be administered to newborn calves within the first 6 to 12 hours of life. They provide a degree of scour protection until the calf’s immune system is functional. Certain types of scours and pneumonia are caused by bacterial infections and may improve with the use of sulfas and Antibiotics.

Cryptosporidiosis (Crypto) is another possible cause of calf scours, which is resistant to treatment. The organism invades cells in the intestines and can quickly spread through a high percentage of the calf crop. Avoid buying calves to cross-foster, as this is the usual source of the organism.

Clean, dry calving areas also help prevent infection. Keep ‘em warm and dry!

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