OBSTIPATION-ILEUS IN SCOURING CALVES FOLL OWING INCORRECT ADMINISTRATION OF DIAPROOF-K(R)

According to the declaration of the producer, Diaproof-K(R) is a suppl ementary feed for calves suffering from gastrointestinal problems, At the beginning of diarrhoea treatment it should be given as sole feed. In addition to electrolytes and glucose it contains mucopolysaccharide s. There is a warning in the instructions for use, that problems can o ccur in combination with spasmolytic drugs and that Diaproof-K(R) shou ld not be used with additional electrolytes. The present paper is deal ing with observations in twelve diarrhoea calves showing an obstipatio n ileus, due - with certainty or probability - to various mistakes dur ing Diaproof-K(R) treatment. In five cases it could be proven that spa smolytic drugs (Spasmentral(R), Buscopan(R) had been injected. Accordi ng to the abdominal findings (11 cases) the main sites of the obstruct ion were the small intestine (7 casts), the small and large intestines (2 cases), the hindgut (1) and the abomasum (1). In the latter case, dehydration and hypernatremia were stated simultaneously; furthermore, eight patients showed dehydration as well. Further complications are listed in table 1 and 2, Treatment trials (fluid replacement, electrol yte compensation, laxatives, laparotomy) seem to have a chance for suc cess only in the early stage of the obstipation.