Consider Electrolyte Diarrhoea Treatment for Spring Calves

Farmers are being advised to consult with vets before choosing calf diarrhoea treatments this spring.

Considerations about molecule ratios and ion balance are necessary to single out appropriate treatments. Dr Michelle Arnold, Extension Veterinarian, University of Kentucky has advised farmers to choose an electrolyte that will address all of the problems associated with calf diarrhoea.

Acidic blood (metabolic acidosis), low energy, dehydration and a critical sodium deficiency are among the key symptoms of calf diarrhoea. What Dr Arnold advises is to check that oral solutions will address all symptoms.

Firstly, sodium is a vital ingredient to replace what is lost in faeces. Glucose, citrate, acetate, propionate and glycine can all be included to encourage sodium absorption. These agents also encourage the absorption of water.

According to Dr Arnold, research points to 90-130 millimoles per litre to rehydrate the calf. But glucose or an amino acid such as glutamine or glycine are required by the small intestine in order to absorb the sodium.

The glucose to sodium ratio should be between 1:1 and 3:1. Dr Arnold has also recommended a  potassium inclusion of around 10-30 millimoles per litre as body stores are lowered as potassium also exits through the faeces.

In addition to these nutritional considerations, Dr Arnold has revealed details of a new theory that encourages farmers to use products that deliver more strong cations than strong anions.

This means that sodium and potassium (cations) concentration and chloride concentration (anions) should be present in the solution in a certain balance, or Strong Ion Difference (SID). Chloride should be around 40-80 millimoles per litre.

Dr Arnold has also advised choosing solutions with an alkanizing agent such as acetate or propionate to neutralise acidic blood pH. Bicarbonate provides an alkanizing solution but can cause digestive problems.

Acetate and propionate are sources of energy which bicarbonate is not. Moreover, bicarbonate interferes with milk clotting in the stomach and raises the pH of the abomasum, meaning harmful bacteria are not killed by the acidic environment of the stomach before passing through to the small intestine.

A final choice is whether to go for hypertonic solutions that have high glucose contents and provide the calf with energy or isotonic solutions. Isotonic solutions have similar particle concentrations to the bloodstream.

Hypertonics provide more calf energy but can cause abomasal bloat. Beef calves continuing to suckle should receive isotonic solutions.