Posted by Dr. Sara Barber on February 15 2007 13:56
She's got diarrhea! Questions to ask:
- How fresh is the cow?
- How long has she had diarrhea?
- Is she off feed?
- How many cows are affected?
- What does the diarrhea look like?
- Pudding or watery
- Blood?
- Bubbles?
Nutritional causes of diarhea
Acidosis
- Watery diarrhea with bubbles
- Caused by too much grain (diet imbalance)
- Sorting
- Diet high in carbohydrates
- Diet low in fiber
Energy/protein imbalance in the diet
- Pudding stool in a high number of cows
Mycotoxins/molds
Sudden change of feed ingredients or ration
Disease Causes of Diarrhea
- Parasitism (worms)
- Coccidia
- Salmonella
- Clostridium perfringens Type A
- Johnes disease
- BVD
- Winter dysentery
Medical Cause of Diarrhea
- Too many Magmalax or Laxade boluses
- Mineral Oil
Treatment
- Depends on the cause of diarrhea
- Generic diarrhea treatment
- Intestisorb Boluses (2 boluses orally)
- 5 gallons warm water with FreshStart
- If she has a fever
- 1 cc/cwt Banamine SQ
- 2 cc/cwt Excenel IM
- DO NOT give Magmalax boluses
Prevention
- Diet and mixing consistency
- Parasite control program
- Salmonella and/or Clostridium vaccination
- Modified live BVD vaccination program
- Johnes control program
Diarrhea Summary
- There are MANY things that can cause diarrhea in diary cows
- Perform a full physical exam
- Discuss situation with a veterinarian
- Treat with generic treatment unless specific treatment indicated by vet