Combating the pathogen that causes scours, providing for the calf's physiological demands (hydration, energy and acid/base balance) and restoring intestinal health are the three main objectives of calf scours therapy.

Neonatal diarrhea, or calf scours, is one of the costliest diseases in the cattle business and is responsible for more mortalities in calves under 1 month old than any other disease.

There are a few things you as a producer can do to help increase the odds that your calves will overcome calfhood diarrhea.

Going from the winter lows to summer highs often leaves cattle without the proper coping mechanisms. Seeing the signs of heat stress and being prepared can help your cattle recover in a safe manner and allow you to mitigate performance and economic loss before it becomes largely impactful.

There are many clichés to represent the need for the right tool to do the job. Perhaps the best one that both relates to the subject at hand, as well as in a practical application, is “don’t bring a water pistol to fight a fire.”

Calf hydration isn’t just for hot weather. A year-round plan for feeding water and electrolytes can help calves stay healthy and productive through all seasons and temperatures. Water is key to hydration and for calves, has major effects on starter intake, rumen development and overall health.