Calf Diarrhea Management Quiz

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What is the main cause of death in calves suffering from diarrhea?

Dehydration and acidosis (correct)

Infection from parasites

Excessive feeding

Nutritional deficiency

Which of the following is not considered an etiological agent of neonatal calf gastrointestinal disease?

Rotavirus

Salmonella

Avian influenza (correct)

Cryptosporidia

What percentage of calf deaths in the first six weeks of life is related to scour?

50%

40% (correct)

30%

20%

Which of the following factors is a nutritional cause of diarrhea in calves?

Quality of milk replacer (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is a common clinical intervention required for calves suffering from diarrhea?

Rapid rehydration (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following cannot lead to secondary gastrointestinal disease in calves?

Excessive water intake (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which protozoan pathogen is associated with calf diarrhea?

Coccidia (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the financial cost associated with a sick calf due to diarrhea management?

£123 (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following antibiotics is typically indicated for treatment in calf diarrhoea cases?

Antibiotics are not normally indicated (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which therapy is specifically indicated for treating Cryptosporidia in calves?

Halofuginone Lactate (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of vaccinating cows and heifers pre-calving?

To enhance colostral antibodies (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT considered in the population-level investigation of calf scour?

Associating treatment protocols (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is one effect of administering NSAIDs like Meloxicam to calves?

Reduce clinical signs (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary treatment for necrotic stomatitis in calves?

Systemic administration of beta-lactams (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which condition is characterized by a congenital absence of anus in calves?

Atresia ani (A) Signup and view all the answers

What factor contributes to the development of ruminal tympany?

Inconsistent feeding practices (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the prognosis for necrotic laryngitis in calves compared to necrotic stomatitis?

Guarded for necrotic laryngitis, good for necrotic stomatitis (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is a treatment option for severe bloat in calves?

Passage of a stomach tube (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which pathogen is associated with hypersecretion leading to osmotic diarrhoea?

Salmonella (A), E.coli F5/K99 (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary mode of infection for Cryptosporidium in calves?

Fecal-oral transmission (A) Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the malabsorptive diarrhoea caused by pathogens like BVD?

Higher cell loss than cell replacement (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which age group is primarily affected by E.coli F5/K99 infections?

Newborns 1-3 days old (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is true about the environmental infectivity of Coccidia oocysts?

Oocysts require sporulation before infectivity (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which pathogen is known to cause hypersecretion due to enterotoxin secretion?

E.coli F5/K99 (C), Rotavirus (D) Signup and view all the answers

What complication can arise from diarrhoea caused by pathogens in calves?

Dehydration and metabolic acidosis (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about Calving pen pathogens is accurate?

E.coli F5/K99 can be picked up from calving pens. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is a major consequence of damaged intestinal enterocytes in calves with diarrhea?

Increased production of lactic acid (D) Signup and view all the answers

What clinical signs are associated with D-lactataemia in calves?

Ataxic movements (B) Signup and view all the answers

How does diarrhea lead to hyperkalaemia in calves?

Through acidaemia-induced dysregulation of potassium balance (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the best approach for treating calves that are unable to suckle due to dehydration?

Administer IV fluids (B) Signup and view all the answers

What diagnostic method allows rapid testing for the cause of scours in calves?

Rainbow test on faeces (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is a common misconception regarding potassium levels during diarrhea?

Potassium levels increase in the body (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which intervention is crucial for calves who have suffered significant fluid loss due to diarrhea?

Replace lost fluids (C) Signup and view all the answers

What effect does hyperkalaemia have on the muscular system of affected calves?

Inability to stand (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the minimum quantity of colostrum that must be administered to a calf within the first 2 hours of birth?

3L (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following risks is NOT considered a management risk factor for calf rearing?

Environmental stressors (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary pathogen associated with calf diphtheria?

Fusobacterium necrophorum (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended disinfectant for cleaning calf pens to combat faeco-oral transmission?

Quaternary ammonium compounds (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is crucial for the absorption of immunoglobulin G from colostrum in calves?

Timing of administration (D) Signup and view all the answers

What clinical sign may indicate the presence of necrotic stomatitis in calves?

External swelling on the side of the mandible (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of isolating scouring animals in a calf rearing setting?

To prevent the spread of infection (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended total protein level in calves to indicate successful passive transfer?

12g/L (C) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Neonatal Calf Gastrointestinal Disease

Neonatal calves are susceptible to gastrointestinal (GI) disorders, significantly impacting their survival and productivity.
Losses from calf scour are substantial, and prompt, appropriate treatment is crucial for survival.
Cost of the problem is significant: £44 per sick calf (excluding labour), £123 per sick calf, £36.91 per calf born. (Veterinary, Deaths, Capital, Calf value)
Factors like dehydration, acidosis and gut damage contribute to mortality.
Diarrhoea affects 48.2% of pre-weaned calves.

Learning Objectives

Construct a differential diagnosis list based on clinical presentations, associated with neonatal GI diseases, and choose appropriate diagnostics.
Determine suitable medical and surgical interventions for the management and treatment of neonatal GI diseases in ruminants.
Assess individual animal and herd prognosis.
Define control measures for preventing neonatal GI disease.

Aetiological Agents

Nutritional: Milk replacer quantity and quality, mixing, temperature, irregular feeding, and poor weaning management.
Stress: Associated with poor weaning management, irregular milk feeding and other variables.
Infectious:
Viruses - Rotavirus, Coronavirus (BVD)
Bacteria - E. coli, Salmonella, Clostridium
Protozoa - Cryptosporidia, Coccidia

Diarrhoea

Rotavirus and Coronavirus: Picked up in calving pens, spread among calves. E. coli F5/K99 is a factor in early diarrhoea.
Salmonella: Neonatal or older, different presentations, from carrier animals
Clostridium perfringens: Toxin A and B are implicated
Cryptosporidium: Environmental pressures, oocysts are immediately infective
Coccidia: Eimeria bovis/zuernii/alabamensis, oocysts need to sporulate in the environment.

Diarrhoea - Duration of Disease

E. coli (chronic and acute): Under 5 days, Chronic Birth to 3 months
Rotavirus: 5 to 10 days, 1 to 2 weeks
Salmonella: 2 to 6 weeks
Coronavirus: Few days to a few weeks
Cryptosporidia: 21 days to 2 years
Coccidia: 5 to 35 days

Hypersecretory vs Malabsorptive

Malabsorptive: Damage and loss of intestinal cells are higher than cell replacement, leading to reduced surface area for nutrient and water absorption resulting in osmotic diarrhoea
Hypersecretory: Pathogens like E. coli and Salmonella cause overproduction of fluid, overwhelming the gut's absorptive capacity. Rotavirus is implicated in both categories.

End Result

Dehydration and metabolic acidosis (electrolyte imbalance or D-lactate build-up)

D-Lactate Acidosis

Damage to intestinal enterocytes allows undigested carbohydrates to reach the large intestine.
This acidification favours lactic acid-producing bacteria.
D-lactate production also occurs from ruminal milk drinking.
Lower palpebral reflex, broad-based stance and ataxic movements are clinical signs indicating a problem in the brain.

Hyperkalaemia

Diarrhoea causes potassium imbalance (hyperkalaemia).
Potassium loss from the body in diarrhoea is complicated by its role in buffering H+ in the blood.
Impairment of sodium/potassium ATPase disrupts electrolyte levels, resulting in increased intracellular sodium and extracellular potassium.
Leads to neuromuscular excitability, muscle weakness, inability to stand, and severe dehydration and bradycardia.

Diagnostics

Enable determination of the correct treatment based on clinical signs.
It may not always be possible to differentiate specific pathogens based on clinical signs.
Use rapid on-farm diagnostics like "rainbow tests".
Consider ELISA, lab PCR, faecal egg counts, haematology, and biochemical tests.

Treatment Considerations

Oral rehydration therapy, IV fluid therapy based on dehydration severity and status
Identifying and addressing the hydration status of the calf.
Fluid therapy response time can vary depending on the underlying cause.

Treatment Decisions Tree

Monitor animal demeanour, milk intake and haemochezia
Check if there is fever, determine if there is a loss of appetite
Clinical assessment of the diseased animal
Administer appropriate drugs and treatments as per diagnosis.

Other Therapies

Specific Therapies: Antibacterial, antiprotozoal, and NSAID treatments
Diagnosis is critical to direct treatment.

Vaccination

Rotavirus, Coronavirus, E. coli F5 K99 adhesin are target pathogens.
Vaccinate cows/heifers 12-3 weeks prior to calving.
Boost colostral antibodies
Reduce occurrence, intensity and virus shedding

Risk Factors

Environmental factors: Group size, stocking density, inter-batch disinfection, dry bedding
Management factors: Mixing ages, feeding practices, nutrition, milk feeding, concentrate provision, forage, cleanliness, and external stressors.

Monitoring Calves and Changes

Assessing body weights, growth rates, average daily gain.
Evaluating passive transfer function (protein level, <10 days old).

Prevention

Colostrum management (quality and quantity).
Hygiene (cleaning and disinfection of facilities).
Vaccination (administer to cows/heifers 12-3 weeks before calving).
Feeding management (practices for prevention of bloat)

Other Conditions

Calf Diphtheria: Caused by Fusobacterium necrophorum. Necrotic stomatitis (cheeks) and necrotic laryngitis (larynx) are common presentations.
Ruminal Tympany/Bloat: Accumulation of gas in the rumen, caused by feeding errors. Clinical signs include rapid onset colic and an observable distended rumen; treat with a stomach tube.
Atresia Coli and Ani: Congenital defects with absence of the anus or impaired colon function. Clinical signs include gradual abdominal distension and, in the case of atresia coli, no passing of faeces. Euthanasia is typically needed for these cases.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Test your knowledge on the causes, treatments, and prevention measures related to calf diarrhea. This quiz covers various aspects, including etiological agents, nutritional causes, clinical interventions, and financial implications associated with managing sick calves. Ideal for students and professionals in veterinary science or animal husbandry.