Neonatal Diarrhea

Question 1

How is enterotoxigenic E. coli spread?

Answer 1

Fecal-oral route

• K99 Fimbria (F5) allow colonization of the ileum
• Heat stable toxin increases intestinal secretions, resulting in secretory diarrhea
• 80% of bacteria attach

Question 2

What are the clinical signs of enterotoxigenic E. coli?

Answer 2

• Secretory diarrhea and severe dehydration

Question 3

How do you treat enterotoxigenic E. coli?

Answer 3

Amoxicillin 10mg/kg (remove bacteria)
Oral electrolyte solution (fix dehydration)
- Prevent with vaccine and clean environment

Question 4

How does rotatvirus cause diarrhea?

Answer 4

• Attaches to villous enterocytes, resulting in decreased surface area and malabsorptive diarrhea
• Resolves in ~2 days in uncomplicated cases

Question 5

How does coronavirus cause diarrhea?

Answer 5

• Attaches to crypt and villous enterocytes, resulting in maldigestion and malabsorption
• Has longer duration that rotavirus

Question 6

What is the shedding period of Crytosporidium parvum?

Answer 6

• Starts at 3 days, peaks at 2 weeks, can occur in adults

- Likes to stay in the environment

Question 7

How does C. parvum cause diarrhea?

Answer 7

• Causes severe villous atrophy –> malabsorptive diarrhea

- Severity depends on calf and environment

Question 8

How do you treat C. parvum?

Answer 8

• Supportive care
• Antibiotics aren’t effective
• Prevent by reducing herd exposure
• *no vaccine**

Question 9

What Salmonella serotypes are important in cattle?

Answer 9

S. typimurium, dublin, newport

- Cause secretory diarrhea by penetrating mucosa and causing intense submucosal inflammation

Question 10

What are two common causes of coccidiosis?

Answer 10

• Eimeria bovis and E. zuernii
• Infection depends on parasite life cycle
• CS = bloody diarrhea

Question 11

How does giardia cause diarrhea?

Answer 11

Unknown mechanism but common cause of diarrhea in cattle

Question 12

How can you diagnose causative agent of diarrhea?

Answer 12

Fecal sample –> fast, reliable, determines treatment

Question 13

How do you treat diarrhea?

Answer 13

• Correct fluid imbalance

* * needs IV fluids at 8-14% dehydration**

Question 14

How can you determine hydration status in calves?

Answer 14

5%: Normal demeanor, no eyeball recession, <1 sec skin tent
6-8%: Slightly depressed demeanor, 2-4 mm eyeball recession, 1-2 sec skin tent
8-10%: Depressed demeanor, 4-6mm eyeball recession, 2-5 sec skin tent
10-12%: Comatose demeanor, 6-8 mm eyeball recession, 5-10 sec skin tent
>12%: Comatose/ dead, 8-12mm eyeball recession, >10 sec skin tent

Question 15

What should be included in your fluids for a diarrhea-dehydrated calf?

Answer 15

Electrolytes, sodium bicarb, glucose

Question 16

What is an appropriate electrolyte therapy for moderate scours?

Answer 16

2 L milk AM, 2L electrolytes noon, 2L Milk PM, 2 L electrolytes Evening, Ad lib electrolyte overnight

Question 17

What is an appropriate electrolyte therapy for severe scours?

Answer 17

1-2 L electrolytes AM, 2L electrolytes noon, 1L Milk PM, 2 L electrolytes Evening, Ad lib electrolyte overnight

Question 18

What is the antibiotic protocol for diarrhea?

Answer 18

Mild - none
Moderate - Oral
Severe - Injectable

Question 19

What NSAID do you want to use for diarrhea?

Answer 19

Flunixin meglumine

Question 20

How can you prevent spreading diarrhea?

Answer 20

• Remove sick cows when they have clinical signs

- Have an all-in, all-out protocol

Question 21

How can you reduce the severity/ challenge of the infectious agent on the calf?

Answer 21

• Treat calves quickly and isolate
• Take care of sick calves last
• Wash/ disinfect area after dealing with sick calves
• Spray/ clean regularly

Question 22

Which diarrhea-causing agents have vaccines? What are the vaccine options?

Answer 22

Rotavirus, coronavirus, Clostridium perfringens type C and D, E. coli

Options include Scour Bos 9, Guardian, Scourguard 4KC

** Give primary dose first year, booster dose 4 weeks later, then annual vaccine every year after that