How to Diagnose and Treat Scours in Calves

Last Updated: February 3, 2022 References

Calves may develop scours due to bacterial or virus infections. Scours is known as "calf scours" or neonatal calf diarrhea. The primary causes of scours include: Rota virus, Corona virus, Cryptosporidium parvum, Salmonella, and Escherichia coli.^{[1]
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Steps

1
Determine if treatment is required. Calves that are moving around in the pasture, with their tails up, probably do not need treatment. Check to see if the diarrhea is yellow or white. If this is the case, treatment is probably not needed.^{[2]
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2
Determine if the calf is looking listless. Calves that are lethargic or not participating much in the playful activities with other calves are a red flag to pay attention to. Calves that are also losing condition are also cause for alarm.^{[3]
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3
Check to see if the calf is dehydrated. You can check for dehydration^{[4]
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4
Determine the calf's body temperature. A normal body temperature ranges from 100.5 °F (38.1 °C) to 102.5 °F (39.2 °C). Anything outside of this range is a sign for treatment.^{[6]
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5
Separate the sick calf or calves from the healthy herd. You'll want to do this to avoid spreading the disease further.^{[7]
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6
Administer fluids using your veterinarian-approved electrolyte solution. You may need to inject the fluids via IV or orally. Follow the package directions when mixing up the solution.^{[8]
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- Feeding the calf water will not work because it will simply pass through his system and not be completely absorbed.^{[9]
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7
Follow up with antibiotics if approved by your vet.^{[10]
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8
Follow appropriate nursing care protocol using your vet's guidelines. This may include providing shelter, feed, and a warm place to sleep.
- A drawback of providing shelter is maintaining infectious control. You will have to work extra to get rid of soiled bedding and disinfect everything that a calf will touch, from the floor to the fence panels and even the feed bucket.^{[11]
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Community Q&A

Question

Should I move heifers to a clean pasture, even though cold will be a factor?

Community Answer

Not a great idea if you don't have a portable shed and bedding to go with it. Clean the barn or stall out and keep replacing old straw with the new so they stay warm. Cold calves won't be healthy calves if they don't have shelter and bedding to lay in. A south-facing shed is perfect for them to stay warm, if you don't have a barn or stable, out in a field or pasture.
Question

I have 300 calves, all in separate cages. Their bedding is sand. How can I manage scour cases?

Community Answer

Use straw or shavings for bedding instead of sand and clean the bedding out each day. Sand is a breeding ground for bacteria. Switching to proper bedding will solve a large part of your scour problem.
Question

What is the best injectable medicine for calf scours?

Community Answer

There is no injectable medicine available. Scour boluses are available, but generally they're for young calves with bacterial infection of the gut. You may also need to use electrolytes and make sure bedding is cleaned out regularly. Scours is just a symptom of a bunch of different possible diseases or conditions, from feeding too much milk to a gut bacterial infection caused by E. coli, Campylobacteria, Salmonella, etc., or some other illness. Please talk with your vet about treating scours in your calves.

Warnings

Promptly contact your vet if 5 percent of your calves have scours and require treatment.^{[14]
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Contact your vet if greater than 2 percent of your calves have died. Stool samples and freshly dead calves can be examined to determine the appropriate treatment for your herd.^{[15]
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