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Vermont | As most scours are caused by viruses that take advantage of immune systems challenged by stress I always wondered why they put antibiotics in milk replacer as an anti scours medication. I raise heifers and use a milk replacer with Bovatec with success. Calves usually come down with some scours 7 days after I bring them home. I keep them hydrated with a home made electrolyte solution, 2/3 c dextrose, 1 tbl salt, 1 tbl baking soda and 1 tsp pottassium chloride to 2 qts water. I lose very few calves. Knock on wood. I also use bismuth subsalicylate, the active ingredient in Pepto-Bismol with some success and a product called Gener-k which is a probiotic with kelp.
Keeping them hydrated no matter what is the key. I also try to purchase them from farms with excellent colostrum management. One farm I have purchased calves from has not had a calf I purchased get sick in four years. | |
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Question for those feeding holstein calves
