4 week old with Scours

[CountryMommy]

One of our jersey calves has had scours since last night. I have given her some electrolytes today, and I am wondering if I should give her and the other two some antibiotics? I really don't want to lose any of them...

 

[she-earl]

Check their temp. If they are not running a fever, I would not give them any antibiotics. The electrolytes won't provide any nutrition so I would recommend alternating a feeding of electrolytes and milk/milk replacer. If their scours are really bad and you are using milk replacer, I would suggest you give them whole milk and then gradually begin switching them back over to milk replacer.

 

[clarmayfarm]

hi, the last person is right, alternate electrolytes and milk. You should not mix them because it can affect pH of the stomach.

You may want to feed electrolytes/milk every 6 hours, keep the calf hydrated. Dehydration will weaken the calf.

Some scours respond to antibiotics, but most have to just work their way through. For mild cases, the "pink pig medicine" (spectinomycin) in the milk is useful and inexpensive, it can be bought at most farm stores.

MBF

 

[CountryMommy]

Do you think that a shot of b-12 would help at this point, or should I wait until the scours is under control?

 

[clarmayfarm]

I am not sure, but it should not hurt. How are things with the baby?

 

[CountryMommy]

She is 100% better. We are thinking that she indulged a bit too much on the nice fresh grass when we let them out to the pasture.

 

[bell9096]

This thread is just superb !



Regards


bell9096