Giving electrolytes is the most effective and most important treatment for scouring calves. The electrolyte solutions you can buy are specially formulated to provide the salts that calves lose with scours. When the calf's intestines absorb the salts in the electrolyte solutions, it also absorbs the water in the solution. If you fed the calf only water rather than an electrolyte solution, the calf won't be able to absorb the water. Almost all the water would pass right through the calf.
Most producers buy prepared electrolytes as concentrated solutions in jugs or as packets of powder.
Although manufactures conduct research to continuously improve their electrolyte products or make their products unique, almost all electrolyte solutions will work if the calf gets them early enough and gets enough of them. Some electrolyte solutions work better in some situations than in others so if you are getting a poor response to treatment, you should seek the advise of your veterinarian about treatment. You have to be careful when you buy electrolytes that you buy electrolytes that are intended to treat calves and other animals with diarrhea. The 1995 edition of the Canadian Compendium of Veterinary Products lists 19 electrolyte products for treating calves with scours. Remember to mix electrolytes in warm rather than cold or hot water.