Calf Diarrhea

Question 1

You are presented with a 4 day old calf with diarrhea, what infectious causes will be on your rule out list?

Answer 1

(E. coli (1-4 day old calves), rotavirus (4-14 day old calves), clostridium (0-28 day old calves), and salmonella (any age))

Question 2

You are presented with a 7 day old calf with diarrhea, what infectious causes will be on your rule out list?

Answer 2

(Rotavirus (4-14 day old calves), coronavirus (7-30 day old calves), crypto (7-21 day old calves), salmonella (10 days-3 month old calves more commonly affected but can happen at any age), and clostridium (0-28 day old calves))

Question 3

You are presented with a 17 day old calf with diarrhea, what infectious causes will be on your rule out list?

Answer 3

(Coronavirus (7-30 day old calves, crypto (7-21 day old calves), salmonella (any age), clostridium (0-28 day old calves))

Question 4

You are presented with a 25 day old calf with diarrhea, what infectious causes will be on your rule out list?

Answer 4

(Coronavirus (7-30 day old calves), coccidiosis (21+ day old calves), salmonella (any age), and clostridium (0-28 day old calves))

Question 5

How are rotavirus and coronavirus diagnosed besides the commercially available SNAP test (which also tests for E. coli)?

Answer 5

(Either fluorescent antibody testing at necropsy or electron microscopy on a fecal sample)

Question 6

Why can you accurately assume that a calf under 21 days of age likely doesn’t have coccidia?

Answer 6

(Bc the incubation period for coccidia is 21 days, doesn’t mean it’s not impossible just highly unlikely)

Question 7

ETEC E. coli is most commonly seen in calves, lambs, kids, and piglets during what age?

Answer 7

(1-4 days of age)

Question 8

What are the goals for fluid therapy? 5 answers.

Answer 8

(Correct dehydration, correct electrolyte deficits, correct acid-base imbalances, supplement energy, and provide maintenance fluids)

Question 9

How many mEq/L of potassium can be administered to correct hypokalemia and what needs to be added to the fluids in addition to the potassium?

Answer 9

(20 mEq/L, glucose and bicarb need to be added as well)

Question 10

How many mEq of bicarb are in 1 ml of 8.4% bicarb solution?

Answer 10

(1 mEq)

Question 11

What is the typical dose of bicarb given to animals with acidosis either over 10 minutes or added to their first bag of fluids?

Answer 11

(5-10 ml/kg body weight)

Question 12

What is the daily maintenance fluid requirement for large animals?

Answer 12

(50-100 ml/kg)

Question 13

What should the fluid rate be set at for intravenous replacement of fluid deficits in large animals that are not equids?

Answer 13

(50-80 ml/kg/hr for the first 2-4 (what he said in lecture)/4-8 (what his doc says) hours then drop to maintenance fluids)

Question 14

Calves should be administered no more than how many liters of oral fluids at a time?

Answer 14

(2 L)