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Dealing with Dehydrated Calves – When and How to Use Electrolytes

January 21, 2021

The following is the final articles in a series of three posts featuring calving management practices and intervention strategies to help producers optimize newborn calf health and well-being. Read part one to learn about resuscitation techniques and part two about colostrum.Supplementing young calves with electrolytes is sometimes necessary. Electrolytes are given to calves showing signs of dehydration, usually due to scours. In the case of calf scours, most calves that die from scours don’t actually succumb to the virus or bacteria causing the symptoms, but rather die from dehydration. Adequately rehydrating calves when they are sick is key for calf survival. Here are a few things to remember when rehydrating calves: Stick two fingers in a calf’s mouth to see if it will suck. If a calf still has a suckle reflex they are probably only mildly dehydrated and can be revived with oral electrolytes. If a calf is more severely dehydrated, they will be unable to stand a....
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The Key to Setting up a Healthy Calf for Life? Colostrum

January 20, 2021

The following is the final articles in a series of three posts featuring calving management practices and intervention strategies to help producers optimize newborn calf health and well-being. Read part one to learn about resuscitation techniques and part two about colostrum.Supplementing young calves with electrolytes is sometimes necessary. Electrolytes are given to calves showing signs of dehydration, usually due to scours. In the case of calf scours, most calves that die from scours don’t actually succumb to the virus or bacteria causing the symptoms, but rather die from dehydration. Adequately rehydrating calves when they are sick is key for calf survival. Here are a few things to remember when rehydrating calves: Stick two fingers in a calf’s mouth to see if it will suck. If a calf still has a suckle reflex they are probably only mildly dehydrated and can be revived with oral electrolytes. If a calf is more severely dehydrated, they will be unable to stand a....
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