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Development and causes of diarrhoea in calves

Effects of diarrhoea in calf rearing

Diarrhoeal diseases are among the most economically significant calf diseases. In the first weeks of life, they account for about 75-80% of all calf diseases (BOTHMER and BUDDE, 1992; BRÄNDLE, 2006).

Infectious diseases occur when the pathogen-immune system balance tips: The immune system is weakened or the pathogens are too many / too strong.

Risk factors for diarrhoea

Lack of hygiene
Many calves in a confined space
Biestmilch < 22 % Brix
< 4 litres of colostrum in the first 6 hours of life
Stress (heat, draught, ...)

Prophylaxis: How to keep calves healthy

Hygiene
Biestmilch management
Avoiding stress
Vaccination
Globigen (IgY)

Supplementary feed

Typical diarrhoeal pathogens:

Tips from practice:

Freshly born calves should only be housed in clean, freshly bedded calf hutches or calf pens.
The colostrum quality should be determined before watering. Only feed high-quality colostrum!
If the colostrum quality is not sufficient, a colostrum enhancer should be used.
If not enough colostrum is absorbed by the calf, a drencher can be used.
Allocate a fixed drinking bucket to each calf.
When buying drinking buckets, make sure that they are easy to clean
Change the teat after each calf
Use a rapid test to detect the pathogen