Treatment of neonatal calf diarrhea with an oral electrolyte solution supplemented with psyllium mucilloid

Dairy calves under 14 days of age with naturally occurring, uncomplicated d iarrhea were treated for 3 days with a hypertonic oral electrolyte solution with (n = 15) or without (n = 12) psyllium. Clinical response and clinical pathology data were compared between the 2 groups. Glucose absorption was evaluated on days 1 and 3 by measurement of plasma glucose and lactate and serum insulin concentrations for 4 hours after formula administration. On d ay 1, glucose, lactate? and insulin concentrations were lower in psyllium-f ed calves than in control calves, with significant differences noted in glu cose and lactate concentrations at several time points (P < 0.05). Plasma l actate concentrations were higher at several times in both treatment groups on day 3 than on day 1 (P < 0.05). Fecal consistency was markedly differen t in psyllium-fed calves as compared with control calves within 24 hours of psyllium supplementation. Fecal percent dry matter content was lower in ps yllium-fed calves than in control calves at least once a day during supplem entation and on day 3 compared with day 0 in the psyllium-fed calves (P < 0 .05). There were no significant differences in clinical performance scores, hydration status, arterial blood gas, serum anion gap, electrolyte, or tot al CO2 concentrations. Addition of psyllium to an oral electrolyte solution resulted in immediate alterations in glucose absorption without impairing rehydration in diarrheic calves, but differences were transient and did not affect clinical outcome.