Watch the way you feed your calves, keep their pens clean

By Charles Wendo Q: I am a dairy farmer with calves which are scouring. These calves are given six litres of milk daily and the calf pens and feeding buckets are always kept clean. What could be the cause of this scouring and how can it be controlled or treated? A: In simple terms, scouring refers to diarrhoea. It can be caused by infections with germs or feeding problems. In your case, since the calves are bucket-fed, the latter is more likely. If the calves drink too much milk, drink too rapidly, or take the milk long after it is milked from the cow, they are likely to get scours. Also, if the cow feeds on young lush pasture, the calves that drink its milk are likely to get scours. Such pastures are common during November or April. Whatever the cause, treatment for scours is similar. It should be aimed at correcting or preventing dehydration and controlling any infections. When a calf has scours, immediately stop giving it milk for 24 hours. At the end of the 24 hours, re-introduce milk gradually. In the meantime, give plenty of oral rehydration solution by mouth. About 70% of the body weight of a young calf is water. This implies that if a calf loses much water through diarrhoea, it loses a lot of weight rapidly. If not corrected, dehydration kills very fast. In fact, dehydration as a result of calf scours, is one of the leading causes of calf losses in dairy farms. Therefore, a calf that has scours should receive plenty of oral rehydration solution every three or four hours. This will replace the water and salts lost through diarrhoea and provide energy. In addition to oral rehydration solutions, give antibiotics to clear infections. Some of the infections may be the underlying cause of the diarrhoea. Others could take advantage of the already existing diarrhoea to thrive. Contact your veterinarian to let you know what oral rehydration solution and antibiotic you can use. It is always good to remember to feed the calves immediately after milking while the milk is still warm.Also wash the pails thoroughly and disinfect each time the calves drink from it. Write to Farm Doctor, P. O. Box 9815, Kampala or email cwendo@newvision.co.ug ends