Protecting Your Calves from Calf Scour: Prevention, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Understanding Calf Scour (White Scour): Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

White Scour, also known as Colibacillosis, is a prominent disease in newborn calves, particularly affecting those aged 1 to 3 days. It is caused by the bacterium Escherichia coli (E. coli). Calves suffering from this disease exhibit symptoms like severe watery diarrhea (white or yellow in color) and septicemia. Without timely treatment, the condition can lead to fatal outcomes. White scour is commonly observed in the offspring of cows, buffaloes, mares, and pigs.

Calf Scour (White Scour)

Alternate Names	White Scour White Diarrhea Colibacillosis
Causing Agent	Escherichia coli (E. coli)
Commonly Affected	Newborn calves (1-3 days old) Offspring of cows, buffaloes, mares, and pigs
Types	Enteric Toxaemic Calf Scour Septicaemic Calf Scour Enteric Calf Scour
Main Symptoms	Severe watery diarrhea (white-yellow color) Fever, dehydration, refusal to feed Joint pain, shivering, and lethargy
Transmission	Ingestion of food or water contaminated with infected feces
Pathogenic Strains	Calves: K99+ Piglets: K99+, K+
Diagnosis Methods	Fecal sample examination Clinical symptom observation
Treatment	Streptomycin: 10 mg/kg (IM) Chloramphenicol/Tetracycline: 5-10 mg/kg (IM)
Prevention	Timely colostrum feeding (10% of body weight) Maintain hygiene to prevent contamination Adequate Vitamin A and warmth for newborns
Key Peculiarity	Immediate colostrum feeding boosts immunity and ensures meconium passage
Learn more about Calf Scour: The Rajasthan Express

Causes of Calf Scour

The primary cause of white scour is the bacterium Escherichia coli, a Gram-negative bacterium responsible for septicemia and diarrhea. Key contributing factors include:

Lack of Colostrum: Failure to provide colostrum within 24 hours of birth.
Vitamin A Deficiency: A lack of sufficient vitamin A.
Cold Stress or Weakness: Exposure to extreme cold or physical frailty.

When calves are not fed colostrum on time, their immune systems weaken, making them more susceptible to E. coli infections.

Strains of E. coli Bacteria

In Calves: The pathogenic strain K99+ is commonly found.
In Piglets: Pathogenic strains K99+ and K+ are observed.

Synonyms of Calf Scour

White Scour, White Diarrhea, Colibacillosis.

Pathogenesis of Calf Scour

Healthy animals can contract the infection by consuming food or water contaminated with feces from infected animals. Once inside the gastrointestinal tract, E. coli produces three types of toxins:

First Toxin: Causes hypotension and enteric calf scour.
Second Toxin: Damages muscle endothelium, leading to septicemic calf scour.
Third Toxin: Affects the gastrointestinal tract, resulting in enteric calf scour.

Symptoms of Calf Scour

The symptoms vary based on the type of colibacillosis:

1. Enteric Toxaemic Calf Scour

Calf falls into a coma and its body becomes cold.
Mucous membranes turn pale yellow.
Severe diarrhea followed by death within 2-6 hours.

2. Septicaemic Calf Scour

Symptoms appear typically 4 days after birth.
Calf stops feeding and heart rate decreases.
Swollen, painful joints causing lameness.
Shivering and abnormal eye movement (nystagmus).

3. Enteric Calf Scour

Most common in calves during the first three weeks after birth.
Persistent watery diarrhea (white-yellow in color).
High fever (105-106°F) and rapid pulse.
Dehydration and refusal to feed.
Abdominal pain causing the calf’s back to arch.

Diagnosis of Calf Scour

The disease can be diagnosed by:

Examining fecal samples of affected calves.
Observing clinical symptoms.

Differential Diagnosis:

Coccidiosis: Usually affects calves aged 4 months to 2 years.

Treatment of Calf Scour

As E. coli is a Gram-negative bacterium, antibiotics like streptomycin are effective.

Prescription (Rx):

Streptomycin Injection: 10 mg/kg of body weight, administered intramuscularly.
Alternatively:
- Chloramphenicol/Tetracycline Injection: 5-10 mg/kg of body weight, administered intramuscularly.

Prevention of Calf Scour

Colostrum Feeding:

Feed colostrum equivalent to 10% of the calf’s body weight.
Alternatively, administer 100 ml/kg of colostrum based on body weight.

Immunity and Meconium Passage:

Colostrum provides immediate immunity, enabling calves to resist infections.
It also promotes the timely passage of meconium, which is vital for newborn health.

Discover how to prevent and treat calf scour (white scour) caused by E. coli. Learn about the symptoms, causes, and the importance of colostrum in calf health.

What is the cause of Colibacillosis?

Colibacillosis is caused by a gram-negative bacterium called Escherichia coli (E. coli). This disease primarily affects newborn calves, especially those that are not given colostrum (first milk) immediately after birth. The main causes include weak immunity, vitamin A deficiency, and extreme cold conditions.

What is Colibacillosis in pigs?

In pigs, Colibacillosis is an infection caused by E. coli bacteria, particularly the K99+ and K+ strains. This disease leads to symptoms like diarrhea, weakness, and dehydration in piglets. It spreads through contaminated food or water.

What is another name for Colibacillosis?

Colibacillosis is also known as “White Scour” or “Calf Scour.”

How can Colibacillosis be controlled?

To control Colibacillosis, the following measures can be taken:

Ensure newborn calves receive colostrum immediately after birth.
Provide clean and safe food and water.
Address vitamin A deficiency.
Protect calves from the cold with proper care.

What is the agent of Colibacillosis?

The agent of Colibacillosis is the Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacterium.

Which antibiotics are used to treat Colibacillosis?

The following antibiotics can be used to treat Colibacillosis:

Streptomycin: 10 mg/kg of body weight.
Chloramphenicol or Tetracycline: 5-10 mg/kg of body weight.

What is the differential diagnosis for Colibacillosis?

Colibacillosis can be differentiated from Coccidiosis. Coccidiosis typically affects calves aged between 4 months and 2 years, while Colibacillosis occurs in newborn calves.

What are the symptoms of Colibacillosis in calves?

The main symptoms of Colibacillosis in calves include:

Severe watery diarrhea (white or yellow in color).
Dehydration and abdominal pain.
Fever (105-106°F) and rapid pulse rate.
Loss of appetite and refusal to drink milk.
In severe cases, the calf may appear arched in the body.

How is Colibacillosis transmitted?

Colibacillosis spreads through contaminated food and water. The E. coli bacteria can also infect healthy animals through contact with the feces of infected animals.

Protecting Your Calves from Calf Scour: Prevention, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Understanding Calf Scour (White Scour): Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment