MANAGEMENT ASPECTS OF NEONATAL CALF DIARR HEA IN A HERD OF 400 DAIRY-COWS

Neonatal diarrhea was monitored in 26 calves. Clinical and laboratory parameters were recorded. Abdominal pain and inappetence were observed some hours before the onset of scours, but not while diarrhea was pre sent. Mild enophthalmus can be detected earlier than a decreasing turg or of the skin. A fall in blood-pH correlates clearly with a decrease of skin elasticity (a fold takes three seconds ore more to subside). A dietary milk replacer is recommended composed as described by Elze (1 980): 5 g NaCl, 5 g NaHCO3 and 20 g glucose in one liter of water. In problem herds this fluid should be given to all calves from the second day of life in addition to other, herd-specific measures. For larger herds, regular visits of the veterinarian at herd-specific intervals a re recommendable. Weight losses and fatalities can only be avoided by early diagnosis and immediate dietary intervention.