Treatment of Calf Diarrhea: Antimicrobial and Ancillary Treatments

Constable, Peter D.

doi:10.1016/j.cvfa.2008.10.012

Cited by 81 publications

(77 citation statements)

References 82 publications

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“…The use of antibiotics is recommended in diarrheic calves with systemic signs of disease including anorexia, dehydration, lethargy, fever, or when the diarrheic stool contains blood or sloughed mucous membranes. This is to prevent bacteremia following bacterial overgrowth in the intestines and to reduce the duration of the disease and the mortality rate [28].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evidence-Based Use of Antibiotics in Veal Calves with Diarrhea

Hässig¹,

Kretschmar²

2016

OJVM

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Diarrhea is the leading cause of mortality in beef and dairy calves during the first week of life and results in substantial financial loss [1]. Diarrhea is a multifactorial disease and can be infectious or non-infectious. However, in the majority of calves, infectious organisms, especially Cryptosporidium parvum, rotavirus, coronavirus, and E. coli, are the primary cause [2]. The aim of this study was to generate a decision tree, based on prevalence, diagnostic testing and treatment and to estimate associated costs or risk. For each of the four main pathogens, two principal approaches are outlined and compared. The first approach relies on a detailed diagnostic workup and allows for specific etiological treatment. The second approach relies on the trial-and-error method, which involves the use of a first-choice antibiotic, followed by a second-and third-choice antibiotic if the previous ones failed to resolve the disease. In Switzerland, the prevalence of diarrheic calves infected with E. coli is approximately 1% suggesting that the use of antimicrobials for the treatment of scouring calves, in the absence of a diagnostic workup, is not always justified. However, for all four major pathogens, the trial-and-error method affords cheaper treatment compared with treatment based on an etiological diagnosis. This creates a quandary in view of the current worldwide efforts to reduce the use of antibiotics in animal agriculture.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evidence-Based Use of Antibiotics in Veal Calves with Diarrhea

Hässig¹,

Kretschmar²

2016

OJVM

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“…Considering recommendations for the use of antimicrobials [21,22] as well as potentially useful clinical predictors of septicemia in diarrheic calves [23,24], the following criteria were defined for initiation of antimicrobial therapy: …”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Construction and validation of a decision tree for treating metabolic acidosis in calves with neonatal diarrhea

et al. 2012

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BackgroundThe aim of the present prospective study was to investigate whether a decision tree based on basic clinical signs could be used to determine the treatment of metabolic acidosis in calves successfully without expensive laboratory equipment. A total of 121 calves with a diagnosis of neonatal diarrhea admitted to a veterinary teaching hospital were included in the study. The dosages of sodium bicarbonate administered followed simple guidelines based on the results of a previous retrospective analysis. Calves that were neither dehydrated nor assumed to be acidemic received an oral electrolyte solution. In cases in which intravenous correction of acidosis and/or dehydration was deemed necessary, the provided amount of sodium bicarbonate ranged from 250 to 750 mmol (depending on alterations in posture) and infusion volumes from 1 to 6.25 liters (depending on the degree of dehydration). Individual body weights of calves were disregarded. During the 24 hour study period the investigator was blinded to all laboratory findings.ResultsAfter being lifted, many calves were able to stand despite base excess levels below −20 mmol/l. Especially in those calves, metabolic acidosis was undercorrected with the provided amount of 500 mmol sodium bicarbonate, which was intended for calves standing insecurely. In 13 calves metabolic acidosis was not treated successfully as defined by an expected treatment failure or a measured base excess value below −5 mmol/l. By contrast, 24 hours after the initiation of therapy, a metabolic alkalosis was present in 55 calves (base excess levels above +5 mmol/l). However, the clinical status was not affected significantly by the metabolic alkalosis.ConclusionsAssuming re-evaluation of the calf after 24 hours, the tested decision tree can be recommended for the use in field practice with minor modifications. Calves that stand insecurely and are not able to correct their position if pushed require higher doses of sodium bicarbonate, if there is clinical evidence of a marked D-lactic acidosis. In those calves, determining the degree of loss of the palpebral reflex was identified as a useful decision criterion to provide an additional amount of 250 mmol sodium bicarbonate. This work demonstrates the clinical relevance of the discovery that D-lactate is responsible for most of the clinical signs expressed in neonatal diarrheic calves suffering from metabolic acidosis.

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“…20,21 In contrast, other studies have indicated that antibiotics are effective in reducing mortality rate and speeding recovery in calves with diarrhea. 22,23 To begin the discussion, it is important to establish a reason to use antibiotics in calves with diarrhea. The 2 primary treatment goals of an antibiotic in calves with diarrhea would be (1) to prevent bacteremia and (2) to decrease the number of coliform bacteria in the small intestine.…”

Section: The Rationale For Using Antibiotics As a Treatment Of Calf Dmentioning

confidence: 99%

Antimicrobial Decision Making for Enteric Diseases of Cattle

Smith

2015

Veterinary Clinics of North America: Food Animal Practice

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Diarrhea in neonatal and adult cattle is common and can be caused by several etiologic agents. As diagnostic testing is not always readily available, practitioners must often decide on a course of treatment based on knowledge of the likely pathogen and their own clinical experience. Antimicrobials have long been used to treat diarrhea in adults and neonates; however, there is increased pressure to prevent unnecessary use of antibiotics in food animal species. This article reviews existing data on the use of antibiotics given to cattle with enteric diseases to decide when they are necessary and which antimicrobials should be used.

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Treatment of Calf Diarrhea: Antimicrobial and Ancillary Treatments

Cited by 81 publications

References 82 publications

Evidence-Based Use of Antibiotics in Veal Calves with Diarrhea

Evidence-Based Use of Antibiotics in Veal Calves with Diarrhea

Construction and validation of a decision tree for treating metabolic acidosis in calves with neonatal diarrhea

Antimicrobial Decision Making for Enteric Diseases of Cattle

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