Electrolytes will help to restore the calf to health, but will not provide sufficient nutrients to maintain body weight. It is therefore advisable to give alternate feeds of milk and electrolytes as soon as the health of the calf has improved, i.e. calf bright and sucking reflex is good. Very dehydrated calves need intravenous fluid and these are probably best taken to our main hospital at Nailsea for treatment. Most infections are picked up from the dam and therefore early separation of dam and calf is advisable. Salmonella can occur at any age and is often associated with pneumonia and lesions on ears and feet.
Coccidiosis usually occurs from three weeks of age.
Calves remain bright but waste away. Usually stems from dirty buildings, drinking troughs and feeders. In the acute stage it is often seen as watery mouth before diarrhoea develops. Electrolytes and antibiotics are needed to treat. Clostridia - important in older lambs and usually found dead.