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Neonatal calf diarrhea is a frequent disease of calves and may result in dehydration and metabolic acidosis. The disease causes mortality and reduces growth and future productivity. Early identification of disease improves calf outcomes and thus there is increasing interest in technological methods for detecting disease. Dehydration leads to the blood becoming more concentrated and this can be measured using serum osmolality. Research in humans has shown that saliva conductivity is correlated with serum osmolality. Saliva conductivity may therefore offer a non-invasive opportunity to assess hydration status in calves. Furthermore, as blood pH is a prognostic indicator and there is ion exchange in the salivary ducts, saliva pH may act as an indicator of metabolic acidosis. This observational study aimed to assess the relationship of saliva conductivity and pH with the clinical and biochemical parameters of calves suffering from neonatal calf diarrhea. One hundred and forty-one dairy-bred calves were recruited onto the study at approximately 1 week of age. The health of the calves was assessed daily. Calves had blood and saliva samples taken weekly until 25 days of age or the development of neonatal calf diarrhea. When calves developed diarrhea, they were sampled for three consecutive days. Hematocrit, plasma total protein, saliva pH and saliva conductivity were measured at each sampling. Saliva pH and saliva conductivity were measured using portable meters (LAQUAtwin-pH-33 and LAQUAtwin-EC22). In a subset of 30 matched samples, serum proteins and electrolytes were also measured. Saliva conductivity was not associated with diarrhea or dehydration. Saliva pH was lower in calves with diarrhea, regardless of hydration status. The Lin's concordance correlation coefficients between saliva variables and hematocrit and strong ion difference were negligible. Dehydrated calves with diarrhea had a higher hematocrit and albumin and the lowest sodium and SID. Calves with diarrhea and no dehydration had a lower plasma total protein. While saliva conductivity has been associated with measures of dehydration in humans, this does not appear to be the case in calves. Saliva pH has not previously been considered for disease detection; however as it is associated with diarrhea, further research is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neonatal calf diarrhea (NCD) remains a significant contributor to calf mortality within the first 3 weeks of life, prompting widespread antibiotic use with associated concerns about antimicrobial resistance and disruption of the calf gut microbiota. Recent research exploring NCD treatments targeting gut microbiota dysbiosis has highlighted probiotic supplementation as a promising and safe strategy for gut homeostasis. However, varying treatment outcomes across studies suggest the need for efficient treatment options. In this study, we evaluated the potential of probiotics Limosilactobacillus reuteri , formally known as Lactobacillus reuteri , isolated from healthy neonatal calves to treat NCD. Through in silico whole genome analysis and in vitro assays, we identified nine L. reuteri strains, which were then administered to calves with NCD. Calves treated with L. reuteri strains shed healthy feces and demonstrated restored gut microbiota and normal animal behavior. Leveraging a machine learning model, we evaluated microbiota profiles and identified bacterial taxa associated with calf gut health that were elevated by L. reuteri administration. These findings represent a crucial advancement towards sustainable antibiotic alternatives for managing NCD, contributing significantly to global efforts in mitigating antimicrobial resistance and promoting overall animal health and welfare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Importance: Despite advancements in herd management, feeding, and pharmaceutical interventions, neonatal calf diarrhea (NCD) remains a major global health concern. Bacteria, viruses, and parasites are the major contributors to NCD. Although several pathogens have been identified in the Republic of Korea (ROK), the etiological agents of numerous NCD cases have not been identified. Objective: To identify, for the first time, the prevalence and impact of Boosepivirus (BooV) on calf diarrhea in the ROK. Methods: Here, the unknown cause of calf diarrhea was determined using metagenomics We then explored the prevalence of certain pathogens, including BooV, that cause NCD. Seventy diarrheal fecal samples from Hanwoo (Bos taurus coreanae) calves were analyzed using reverse transcriptase and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction for pathogen detection and BooV isolate sequencing. Results: The complete genome of BooV was detected from unknown causes of calf diarrhea. And also, BooV was the most frequently detected pathogen (35.7%) among 8 pathogens in 70 diarrheic feces from Hanwoo calves. Co-infection analyses indicated that most BooV-positive samples were solely infected with BooV, indicating its significance in NCD in the ROK. All isolates were classified as BooV B in phylogenetic analysis. Conclusions and Relevance: This is the first study to determine the prevalence and molecular characteristics of BooV in calf diarrhea in the ROK, highlighting the potential importance of BooV as a causative agent of calf diarrhea and highlighting the need for further research on its epidemiology and pathogenicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neonatal calf diarrhea is a frequent disease of calves and may result in dehydration and metabolic acidosis. The disease causes mortality and reduces growth and future productivity. Early identification of disease improves calf outcomes and thus there is increasing interest in technological methods for detecting disease. Dehydration leads to the blood becoming more concentrated and this can be measured using serum osmolality. Research in humans has shown that saliva conductivity is correlated with serum osmolality. Saliva conductivity may therefore offer a non-invasive opportunity to assess hydration status in calves. Furthermore, as blood pH is a prognostic indicator and there is ion exchange in the salivary ducts, saliva pH may act as an indicator of metabolic acidosis. This observational study aimed to assess the relationship of saliva conductivity and pH with the clinical and biochemical parameters of calves suffering from neonatal calf diarrhea. One hundred and forty-one dairy-bred calves were recruited onto the study at approximately 1 week of age. The health of the calves was assessed daily. Calves had blood and saliva samples taken weekly until 25 days of age or the development of neonatal calf diarrhea. When calves developed diarrhea, they were sampled for three consecutive days. Hematocrit, plasma total protein, saliva pH and saliva conductivity were measured at each sampling. Saliva pH and saliva conductivity were measured using portable meters (LAQUAtwin-pH-33 and LAQUAtwin-EC22). In a subset of 30 matched samples, serum proteins and electrolytes were also measured. Saliva conductivity was not associated with diarrhea or dehydration. Saliva pH was lower in calves with diarrhea, regardless of hydration status. The Lin’s concordance correlation coefficients between saliva variables and hematocrit and strong ion difference were negligible. Dehydrated calves with diarrhea had a higher hematocrit and albumin and the lowest sodium and SID. Calves with diarrhea and no dehydration had a lower plasma total protein. While saliva conductivity has been associated with measures of dehydration in humans, this does not appear to be the case in calves. Saliva pH has not previously been considered for disease detection; however as it is associated with diarrhea, further research is warranted.

Neonatal calf diarrhea (NCD) remains a significant contributor to calf mortality within the first 3 weeks of life, prompting widespread antibiotic use with associated concerns about antimicrobial resistance and disruption of the calf gut microbiota. Recent research exploring NCD treatments targeting gut microbiota dysbiosis has highlighted probiotic supplementation as a promising and safe strategy for gut homeostasis. However, varying treatment outcomes across studies suggest the need for efficient treatment options. In this study, we evaluated the potential of probiotics Limosilactobacillus reuteri, formally known as Lactobacillus reuteri, isolated from healthy neonatal calves to treat NCD. Through in silico whole genome analysis and in vitro assays, we identified nine L. reuteri strains, which were then administered to calves with NCD. Calves treated with L. reuteri strains shed healthy feces and demonstrated restored gut microbiota and normal animal behavior. Leveraging a machine learning model, we evaluated microbiota profiles and identified bacterial taxa associated with calf gut health that were elevated by L. reuteri administration. These findings represent a crucial advancement towards sustainable antibiotic alternatives for managing NCD, contributing significantly to global efforts in mitigating antimicrobial resistance and promoting overall animal health and welfare.

Background: Escherichia coli is one of the serious pathogens causing various infections in the animal field, such as neonatal calf diarrhea (NCD), which is responsible for mortality associated with diarrhea during the first days of life. Aim: Current work is aimed to designing an effective and safe multi-epitope vaccine candidate against E. coli infection in calves based on the fimbrial protein K99 of Enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) and Immuno-informatics. Methods: A conserved sequence of K99 protein was generated, and then highly antigenic, non-allergic, and overlapped epitopes were used to construct a multi-epitope vaccine. Five THL, six MHC II, and four beta cell epitopes were targeted to create the candidate. The candidate vaccine was produced utilizing 15 epitopes and three types of linkers, two types of untranslated region (UTR) human hemoglobin subunit beta (HBB), UTR beta-globin (Rabb), and RpfE protein as an immunomodulation adjuvant. Results: Immuno-informatics analysis of the constructed protein showed that the protein was antigenic (antigenic score of 0.8841), stable, non-allergen, and soluble. Furthermore, the Immuno-informatics and Physiochemical analysis of the constructed protein showed a stable, non-allergic, soluble, hydrophilic, and acidic PI (isoelectric point). of 9.34. Docking of the candidate vaccine with the toll-like receptor TLR3 was performed, and results showed a strong interaction between the immune receptor and the vaccine. Finally, the expression efficiency of the construct in Escherichia coli was estimated via computational cloning of the vaccine sequence into Pet28a. Conclusion: Results of Immunoinformatics and in silico approaches reveals that designed vaccine is antigenic, stable, and able to bind to the immune cell receptors. Our results interpret the proposed multi-epitope mRNA vaccine as a good preventive option against E coli infection in calves. [Open Vet J 2024; 14(6.000): 1417-1425]

Introduction: Neonatal calf diarrhea (NCD) is one of the most common diseases in calves, causing huge economic and productivity losses to the bovine industry worldwide. The main pathogens include bovine rotavirus (BRV), bovine coronavirus (BCoV), and Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) K99. Since multiple infectious agents can be involved in calf diarrhea, detecting each causative agent by traditional methods is laborious and expensive. Methods: In this study, we developed a one-step multiplex Real-Time PCR assay to simultaneously detect BRV, BCoV, and E. coli K99+. The assay performance on field samples was evaluated on 1100 rectal swabs of diseased cattle with diarrhea symptoms and compared with the conventional gel-based RT-PCR assay detect BRV, BCoV, and E. coli K99+. Results: The established assay could specifically detect the target pathogens without cross-reactivity with other pathogens. A single real-time PCR can detect -1 copy/µL for each pathogen, and multiplex real-time PCR has a detection limit of 10 copies/µL. Reproducibility as measured by standard deviation and coefficient of variation were desirable. The triple real-time PCR method established in this study was compared with gel-based PT-PCR. Both methods are reasonably consistent, while the real-time PCR assay was more sensitive and could rapidly distinguish these three pathogens in one tube. Analysis of surveillance data showed that BRV and BCoV are major enteric viral pathogens accounting for calves' diarrhea in China. Discussion: The established assay has excellent specificity and sensitivity and was suitable for clinical application. The robustness and high-throughput performance of the developed assay make it a powerful tool in diagnostic applications and calf diarrhea research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neonatal calf diarrhea (NCD) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in calves. Four major pathogens, including Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC), bovine rotavirus (BRV), bovine coronavirus (BCV), and Cryptosporidium spp., are associated with NCD, with Cryptosporidium parvum (C. parvum) recognized as a major contributor. Despite various treatment options available, there is no effective vaccine for bovine cryptosporidiosis yet. In this study, recombinantly expressed C. parvum gp40 was evaluated as a candidate vaccine in pregnant animals. The vaccine was administered to pregnant cows during the last trimester of their pregnancy resulting in highly statistically significantly increased anti-gp40 antibody titers. The resulting anti-gp40 antibodies were transmitted to the calves via colostrum. Both suckling (n = 29; test:14, control:15) and non-suckling (n = 16; 8 per group) calves were challenged with live C. parvum oocysts. The calves that received the colostrum from gp40 vaccinated cows showed a highly statistically significant improvement in health (p < 0.0001), reduced incidence (p < 0.0001), and duration of severe diarrhea (p < 0.001) and increased weight gain in suckling calves (p < 0.0001). This study demonstrates that immune bovine colostrum, induced by immunization of late-gestation cows with C. parvum gp40, provided substantial protection to calves against cryptosporidiosis. These findings suggest that the gp40 vaccine has potential for preventing outbreaks of neonatal diarrhea associated with cryptosporidiosis in calves, thereby improving animal welfare and performance.

Neonatal calf diarrhea (NCD), is one of the prime fundamental health issues facing the cattle industry, and has resulted in significant economic losses. This study aimed at detection of the enteric pathogens in diarrheic calves. Another objective was to correlate the existence of isolated enteric pathogens to the age and seasonal distribution of diarrheic parasitic and bacterial infections among calves. The bacterial isolates were identified biochemically and serologically. Moreover the samples were examined macro and microscopically to investigate the internal parasitic causes of diarrhea. Also, for Cryptosporidium spp. Oocysts were diagnosed using modified Ziehl-Neelsen stained smears. Out of 364 collected fecal samples, a total bacteria isolated was 356 and identified as 131 Escherichia coli (35.99%), 90 Salmonella enterica (24.72%); 50 S. Typhimurium (13.73%) and 40 S. Dublin (10.99%), 35 Citrobacter diversus (9.61%), 24 Klebsiella pneumoniae (6.59%), 20 P. vulgaris (5.49%), 19 P. penneri (5.22%) and 37 Staphylococcus aureus (10.16%). Regarding the parasitological findings; Toxocara vitulorum was 19.8% (72 out of 364), Oocysts of Eimeria spp. were found in 26.9% (98/364), Cryptosporidium spp. was 29.4% (107 out of 364) and Giardia spp. infection was 14% (51 out of 364). In conclusion, NCD problem is a multifactorial in which bacterial and parasitological causes were the prime causes. Thus, regular monitoring and efficient treatment of bacteriological and parasitological causes of NCD are highly recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hardly published data are available to diagnose the failure of transfer of passive immunity (FTPI) in calves affected by neonatal calf diarrhea (NCD). This study evaluated the diagnostic performance and differences among optical serum total protein (STP) concentration and gamma-glutamyl-transferase (GGT) activity for assessing FTPI in diarrheic Holstein Friesian calves. 72 diarrheic and 19 healthy Holstein Friesian calves aged 1 to 10 days were enrolled. Each calf underwent a complete clinical examination and dehydration assessment. The effect of dehydration status and age on the correlation between the two methods under study (STP and GGT) and the gold standard (Immunoglobulin G [IgG] measured with RID) was investigated with Spearman's correlation index R for ranks. Serum total protein concentration and GGT activity were analyzed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis to identify the optimal cut-off point to distinguish between diarrheic calves with or without FTPI, also considering the effects of dehydration and age. The results show that GGT activity was affected by the age of calves, while STP was influenced by dehydration. The cut-offs to distinguish calves with IgG < 10 g/L were < 52 g/L of STP in normohydrated calves, < 58 g/L of STP in dehydrated calves, and < 124 IU/L of GGT in calves with aged between 3 and 10 days. In nondehydrated diarrheic calves, the STP refractometer showed better diagnostic accuracy. In dehydrated calves aged between 3 and 10 days, however, its accuracy drops, and it is advisable to use GGT activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neonatal calf diarrhea remains one of the most important problems faced by livestock, causing great economic losses. Fecal samples were collected from 100 diarrheic calves in Al-Fayoum governorate, Egypt during 2021, and 2022, to investigate the prevalence of Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC), Salmonella Typhimurium, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Clostridium perfringens, bovine rotavirus, bovine coronavirus, and Cryptosporidium parvum which are the major enteropathogens associated with neonatal calf diarrhea, the prevalence of enteropathogens were 58%, 29%, 34%, 14%, 35%, 8%, and 65% respectively. Molecular characterization was performed to confirm the E. coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella Typhimurium, Clostridium perfringens, and Cryptosporidium isolates and to detect some virulent genes associated with their pathogenicity. All the bacterial isolates gave a clear band with 16S rRNA. In E. coli, virulent genes (K99, F41, phoA) were detected, also; Salmonella strains were found positive for the invA and sopB gene, while all Clostridium perfringens strains were tested positive for Alpha and Beta toxin but negative for Epsilon toxin. On the other hand, all Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates were tested positive with iutA and fimH genes. Also, the in-vitro antibiotic sensitivity testing of bacterial isolates was applied. Statistical analysis was carried out to determine the potential influence of age factor on the reported prevalence of concurrent infections, which revealed that the animals age significantly affected the infection prevalence in all pathogens inversely excepts those infected by Klebsiella was affected by age directly, and those infected by E. coli, or Cryptosporidium, were not affected by age at all. Good hygienic management and good vaccination program are very important to overcome acute diarrhea in neonate calves and the misuse of antibiotic revealed the presence of multidrug resistance isolates of some enteropathogenic bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neonatal calf diarrhea (NCD) is a broad symptom encompassing many potential underlying causes. While alterations in the gut microbiota have been correlated with diarrhea, the effects of diarrhea on gut communities have not been sufficiently studied. To explore these effects and identify key microbiota involved, we profiled the fecal microbial community of 21 calves with varying health conditions using the 16S rRNA gene. In comparison to healthy calves, diarrheic calves exhibited significantly decreased diversity and evenness indices. There was a notable increase in the relative abundance of Proteobacteria and Actinobacteriota, and a significant decrease in the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes. At the genus level, there were increased relative abundances of Escherichia-Shigella and Lactobacillus. Notably, the abundance of Lactobacillus continued to increase during the recovery from diarrhea. Clinical observation and bacterial typing analysis revealed fecal microbiome dysbiosis as a significant characteristic of NCD. This work identifies dysbiosis as a key factor promoting diarrhea in neonatal calves, characterized by a low-diversity microbiome. The increased abundance of Lactobacillus might contribute to the curative properties of diarrhea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT In a randomized controlled trial, we evaluated the effects of five oral electrolyte solutions (OESs) with different compositions of water, electrolyte, and acid-base balances of diarrheal neonatal calves. Osmotic diarrhea and dehydration were induced with sucrose in milk, spironolactone, and hydrochlorothiazide for 48 h in thirty 10-day old Holstein healthy calves with 43.5 ± 3.80 kg BW who were fed with natural milk. They were allocated to five treatment groups (n=6) based on the administered OES (commercial: OES A, B, C, D; and non-commercial: OES UEL). On the day of treatment, the calves received 6L of OES in two doses apart from milk intakes. Venous blood samples were collected at -48h (start of induction), -24h, 0h (start of the treatment day), 8h, 16h, 24h, 48h, and 72h. TPP, glucose, D-lactate, L-lactate, pH, pCO2, HCO3 -, BE, Na+, K+, Cl-, SID3, SIG, AG, Atot and percentage change in plasma volume (%PV) were measured or calculated and analyzed by two-way repeated measures ANOVA. All the calves developed osmotic diarrhea, mild to moderate dehydration, hyponatremia, relative hyperchloremia, and moderate to severe metabolic acidosis. The tested OESs were well accepted by the calves and effective in reversing dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and metabolic acidosis. OES D did not completely correct hyponatremia, and SEO B caused transient hyperglycemia. It has been concluded that all the tested OESs are safe and effective for the treatment of diarrhea in calves with moderate degrees of dehydration and metabolic acidosis, which indicates that they have proper compositions for this purpose.

A bovine rotavirus (BRV) isolate from Kirsehir was isolated from feces of a neonatal calf with diarrhea, identified, and sequenced by shotgun sequencing. Its genotype constellation is G10-P[5]-I2-R2-C2-M2-A3-N2-T6-E2-H3. The structural genes and the non-structural genes NSP1, NSP3, and NSP4 of the Kirsehir isolate were similar in sequence to those of BRVs identified in Turkey. However, VP2, NSP2, NSP4, and NSP5/6 showed similarity to those of rotaviruses from different animal hosts. These findings not only expand our current understanding of the diversity of rotaviruses but also contribute to our understanding of the evolution of rotaviruses at both the national and global levels and reinforce the significance of conducting further research on rotaviruses in Turkey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bovine Coronavirus (BCoV) is a major pathogen associated with neonatal calf diarrhea. Standard practice dictates that to prevent BCoV diarrhea, dams should be immunized in the last stage of pregnancy to increase BCoV-specific antibody (Ab) titers in serum and colostrum. For the prevention to be effective, calves need to suck maternal colostrum within the first six to twelve hours of life before gut closure to ensure a good level of passive immunity. The high rate of maternal Ab transfer failure resulting from this process posed the need to develop alternative local passive immunity strategies to strengthen the prevention and treatment of BCoV diarrhea. Immunoglobulin Y technology represents a promising tool to address this gap. In this study, 200 laying hens were immunized with BCoV to obtain spray-dried egg powder enriched in specific IgY Abs to BCoV on a large production scale. To ensure batch-to-batch product consistency, a potency assay was statistically validated. With a sample size of 241, the BCoV-specific IgY ELISA showed a sensitivity and specificity of 97.7% and 98.2%, respectively. ELISA IgY Abs to BCoV correlated with virus-neutralizing Ab titers (Pearson correlation, R2 = 0.92, p < 0.001). Most importantly, a pilot efficacy study in newborn calves showed a significant delay and shorter duration of BCoV-associated diarrhea and shedding in IgY-treated colostrum-deprived calves. Calves were treated with milk supplemented with egg powder (final IgY Ab titer to BCoV ELISA = 512; VN = 32) for 14 days as a passive treatment before a challenge with BCoV and were compared to calves fed milk with no supplementation. This is the first study with proof of efficacy of a product based on egg powder manufactured at a scale that successfully prevents BCoV-associated neonatal calf diarrhea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to determine dynamic thiol-disulphide homeostasis (TDH) parameters and ischemia modified albumin (IMA) levels in calves with neonatal diarrhea and compare with healthy controls. A total of 50 calves were included in the study. There were 25 calves in both diarrhea and healthy groups. Serum native thiol, total thiol, disulfide and IMA levels were measured using new methods. Native thiol (P=0.025) and total thiol (P=0.041) values decreased significantly in calves with neonatal diarrhea compared to the healthy control group. Disulphide (P= 0.133), disulphide/native thiol ratio (P=0.001) and IMA (P=0.0018) parameters were lower in healthy group, and the difference between the two groups was significant for the parameters other than disulphide. This study shows that TDH is impaired in neonatal calf diarrhea and IMA levels are increased due to oxidative stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Neonatal calf diarrhea (NCD) is a broad symptom encompassing many potential underlying causes. While alterations in the gut microbiota have been correlated with diarrhea, the effects of diarrhea on gut communities have not been sufficiently studied. To explore these effects and identify key microbiota involved, we profiled the fecal microbial community of 21 calves with varying health conditions using the 16S rRNA gene. In comparison to healthy calves, diarrheic calves exhibited significantly decreased diversity and evenness indices. There was a notable increase in the relative abundance of Proteobacteria and Actinobacteriota, and a significant decrease in the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes. At the genus level, there were increased relative abundances of Escherichia-Shigella and Lactobacillus. Notably, the abundance of Lactobacillus continued to increase during the recovery from diarrhea. Clinical observation and bacterial typing analysis revealed fecal microbiome dysbiosis as a significant characteristic of NCD. This work identifies dysbiosis as a key factor promoting diarrhea in neonatal calves, characterized by a low-diversity microbiome. The increased abundance of Lactobacillus might contribute to the curative properties of diarrhea.

Calf diarrhea, which develops in the neonatal period and is the most important cause of mortality, develops depending on many factors and causes significant economic losses all over the world. In the epidemiological studies conducted in Turkey to date, it has been shown that diarrhea often occurs after the calving period and causes great economic losses with growth retardation, treatment costs and deaths. Stool samples collected in the study were isolated in three different cell lines (MDBK, HRT-18 and MA-104), enteric viruses (BRV, BCoV, BVDV, BToV), which were intended to be obtained after four blind passages and IPMA test, could not be isolated in cell culture. According to the results of PCR and Ag ELISA tests from stool samples within the scope of the study, at least one of the investigated enteric viruses was detected in 14 (87.5%) stool samples taken from 16 calves with diarrhea symptoms. While no single BRV infection was found in the study; Single BCoV infection was detected in 2 (12.5%) calves, single BVDV infection in 2 (12.5%) calves, and single BToV infection in 2 (12.5%) calves. Dual infections of BRV and BVDV were detected in 1 (6.25%) calf, BCoV and BToV in 1 (6.25%) calf, BCoV and BVDV in 4 (25%) calves, and BVDV and BToV in 1 (6.25%) calf. A triple multible infection of enteric viruses, BVDV, BToV and BCoV, was detected in 1 (6.25%) calf. Rotavirus, which was detected according to the migration pattern of RNA segments (4/2/3/2) on acrylamide gel in the SDS-PAGE test, was shown to be in group A. In addition, in the study, it was determined by using genotype-specific primers that the rotavirus, which was detected positive by PCR test, had the G10P[11] genotype. In this study, it was shown that BRV, BCoV, BVDV and BToV, which are important viral agents that can cause neonatal calf diarrhea, can be seen simultaneously in the same farm and cause severe disease findings and losses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rotavirus A (RVA) is amongst the most widespread causes of neonatal calf diarrhea. Because subclinical infections are common, the diagnosis of RVA-induced diarrhea cannot rely solely on molecular viral detection. However, RT-qPCR allows for quantification of RVA shedding in feces, which can be correlated with clinical disease. Here, we determine an optimal cutoff of rotaviral load quantified by RT-qPCR to predict RVA causality in diarrheic neonate calves, using RVA antigen-capture ELISA as reference test. Feces from 328 diarrheic (n = 175) and non-diarrheic (n = 153),

Multifactorial neonatal calf diarrhea (NCD) is one of the main causes of mortality in calves under 1 month of age. Studies have shown that pro-inflammatory cytokines (i.e., interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-α]) can increase in many pathophysiological conditions. In addition, IL-10 as one of the most important anti-inflammatory cytokines contributes to the inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Few studies have addressed cytokine levels in calves with NCD. Therefore, the goal of this study was to evaluate the plasma concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines, as well as IL-10, in the calves naturally infected with NCD syndrome. For this purpose, 87 neonatal calves were monitored for 1 month. Out of this population, 10 cases were diagnosed with NCD and studied as the case group. In addition, a control group was considered that consisted of 10 age- and gender-matched neonatal calves without any diseases. From each calf, 5 ml blood sample was collected into EDTA tubes by jugular venipuncture. The samples were then centrifuged, and the extracted plasmas were aliquoted and stored at -20 °C. Finally, the plasma concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines (i.e., IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α) and anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 were measured using the ELISA kits based on the manufacturer's protocols. The results showed that the plasma concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines were significantly higher in the case group than in the control group. However, no significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of the plasma concentrations of IL-10. This study indicates that pro-inflammatory cytokines could be used to recognize the immune system response to NCD.

Importance: Despite advancements in herd management, feeding, and pharmaceutical interventions, neonatal calf diarrhea (NCD) remains a major global health concern. Bacteria, viruses, and parasites are the major contributors to NCD. Although several pathogens have been identified in the Republic of Korea (ROK), the etiological agents of numerous NCD cases have not been identified., Objective: To identify, for the first time, the prevalence and impact of Boosepivirus (BooV) on calf diarrhea in the ROK., Methods: Here, the unknown cause of calf diarrhea was determined using metagenomics We then explored the prevalence of certain pathogens, including BooV, that cause NCD. Seventy diarrheal fecal samples from Hanwoo ( Bos taurus coreanae ) calves were analyzed using reverse transcriptase and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction for pathogen detection and BooV isolate sequencing., Results: The complete genome of BooV was detected from unknown causes of calf diarrhea. And also, BooV was the most frequently detected pathogen (35.7%) among 8 pathogens in 70 diarrheic feces from Hanwoo calves. Co-infection analyses indicated that most BooV-positive samples were solely infected with BooV, indicating its significance in NCD in the ROK. All isolates were classified as BooV B in phylogenetic analysis., Conclusions and Relevance: This is the first study to determine the prevalence and molecular characteristics of BooV in calf diarrhea in the ROK, highlighting the potential importance of BooV as a causative agent of calf diarrhea and highlighting the need for further research on its epidemiology and pathogenicity., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (© 2024 The Korean Society of Veterinary Science.)

Calf mortality constitutes a substantial loss for agriculture economy-based countries and is also a significant herd problem in developed countries. However, the occurrence and frequency of responsible gastro-intestinal (GI) pathogens in severe newborn diarrhea is still not well known. We aimed to determine the seasonal and age-associated pathogen distribution of severe diarrhea in newborn calves admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of Erciyes University animal hospital over a year. Fecal samples were collected during the ICU admissions, and specimens were subjected to a diarrheal pathogen screening panel that included bovine coronavirus (BCoV), Cryptosporidium spp., ETEC K99+, and bovine rotavirus, using RT-PCR and conventional PCR methods. Further isolation experiments were performed with permissive cell cultures and bacterial enrichment methods to identify the clinical importance of infectious pathogen shedding in the ICU. Among the hospitalized calves aged less than 45 days old, the majority of calves originated from small farms (85.9%). The pathogen that most frequently occurred was Cryptosporidium spp. (61.5%) followed by rotavirus (56.4%). The frequency of animal admission to ICU and GI pathogen identification was higher during the winter season (44.9%) when compared to other seasons. Most calves included in the study were 1–6 days old (44.9%). Lastly, co-infection with rotavirus and Cryptosporidium spp. occurred more frequently than other dual or multi-infection events. This study was the first to define severe diarrhea—causing GI pathogens from ICU admitted newborn calves in Turkey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the study was to determine the infectious agents responsible for causing diarrhea in neonatal calves through immunohistochemistry. One hundred intestinal samples of dead calves with a history of diarrhea were collected from farms in and around Ludhiana and the postmortem hall of the Department of Veterinary Pathology, GADVASU, Ludhiana. All the samples were subjected to routine histopathology. Immunohistochemistry was employed to detect the presence of etiological agents in all of these samples. The primary gross lesions observed in the intestine were congestion, catarrhal enteritis, and fibrin on the mucosal surface. Common histopathologic observations were necrotic enteritis along with massive infiltration of mononuclear cells. 54 samples were found to be positive for Salmonella spp., 50 for Clostridium perfringens, 8 for Cryptosporidium spp., 4 for E. coli (K99), 4 for rotavirus. Eimeria spp. was also detected in 5 samples through immunohistochemistry. A total of 38 samples showed the involvement of multiple agents. The study concludes that calf diarrhea can be caused by multiple infectious etiological agents, either single or multiple, and that Clostridium perfringens and Salmonella spp were the main etiological agents responsible for causing diarrhea. Immunohistochemistry was found to be an effective tool for detecting the various etiological agents of calf diarrhea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neonatal calf diarrhea (NCD) is one of the most serious health challenges facing the livestock industry and has caused substantial economic losses due to increased morbidity and mortality rates. The present study investigated the main infectious pathogens causing NCD among cattle in Yangxin County, China. Sixty-nine fecal samples were collected from diarrheic newborn cattle and tested for infectious agents, including bovine rotavirus, bovine coronavirus, Escherichia coli K99, Cryptosporidium parvum, and Giardia lamblia, that cause NCD, as determined by rapid kit analysis and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification. The PCR results showed that the percentages of samples that were positive for C. parvum, bovine rotavirus A, bovine coronavirus, and G. lamblia were 44.93, 36.23, 17.39, and 13.04%, respectively. The rapid kit analysis results showed that the prevalence of C. parvum, rotavirus, coronavirus, and G. lamblia was 52.17, 31.88, 28.98, and 18.84%, respectively. No E. coli K99 was detected by either method. The total positivity of the samples, as determined by PCR and rapid kit analysis, was 80.00 and 81.16%, respectively. No significant difference between the two methods was observed. The results of this study may help to establish a foundation for future research investigating the epidemiology of NCD in cattle and may facilitate the implementation of measures to control NCD transmission to cattle in Yangxin County, Shandong Province, China.

The objective of this study was to determine the association of neonatal calf diarrhea (NCD) with step activity and lying behaviors in pre-weaned dairy calves. Calves were housed in individual hutches for the first 6 days of life, and then moved into a group pen. On the day of birth, calves (n = 30) were fitted with an accelerometer, and step activity and lying behaviors were recorded. Calves were assigned a fecal score (FS) twice daily using a 0 to 3 scale, and were diagnosed with NCD (n = 10) when the score was a 3. To ensure the only association noted was due to NCD, calves that had any other health complications were excluded from analyses (n = 1). Calves with NCD were pair matched by age, breed, and birthdate to a healthy calf. Day 0 was designated as the date of NCD diagnosis. Calves with NCD spent less time lying (P < 0.05) and displayed more lying bouts (P < 0.05) of a shorter duration (P < 0.01) than healthy calves. Specifically, calves with NCD displayed more lying bouts on days -7 (P < 0.05), -6 (P < 0.01), -5 (P < 0.01), -4 (P < 0.01), and -3 (P < 0.05). Similarly, lying bout duration was shorter for calves with NCD on days -6 (P < 0.05), -5 (P < 0.05), -4 (P < 0.01), and -3 (P < 0.01). Additional research is needed to examine if these tools can be used to identify diseased calves prospectively.

Branched-chain fatty acids (BCFA) have recently been reported to play a role in human gut health during early life. However, little information is available on the fecal BCFA profiles in young ruminants and whether they are associated with the development of neonatal calf diarrhea. The objectives of this study were to (1) characterize BCFA profiles in feces collected from young calves, (2) compare the fecal BCFA composition between diarrheic and nondiarrheic dairy calves, and (3) explore the potential relationships between BCFA and microbiota in the feces. A total of 32 male Holstein dairy calves (13 ± 3 d old) with the same diet management were grouped as diarrheic (n = 16) or healthy (n = 16) based on fecal score (determined by liquid fecal consistency with some solid particles); diarrhea cases were defined as fecal score ≥2 for at least 2 d. Fecal samples were collected on the seventh day after calf arrival, and the fecal BCFA and microbial profiles were assessed using gas chromatograph and amplicon sequencing, respectively. In total, 7 BCFA were detected in the feces of all dairy calves; however, the concentrations of fecal BCFA differed between diarrheic and nondiarrheic calves. Specifically, the concentrations of iso-C16:0, iso-C17:0, anteiso-C17:0, and total even-chain BCFA were significantly higher in the feces of diarrheic calves. When the associations between BCFA and bacteria were studied, the relative abundance of Eggerthella was positively correlated with the concentrations of iso-C16:0 (ρ = 0.67), iso-17:0 (ρ = 0.77), anteiso-C17:0 (ρ = 0.73), and iso-C18:0 (ρ = 0.65), whereas the relative abundance of Subdoligranulum was positively correlated with the concentrations of iso-C14:0 (ρ = 0.62), iso-C15:0 (ρ = 0.78), and anteiso-C15:0 (ρ = 0.63). Use of random forest algorithm showed that BCFA such as anteiso-C15:0, iso-C16:0, iso-C17:0, iso-C18:0, and total even-chain BCFA could be used as biomarkers to differentiate diarrheic calves from healthy ones. Our findings generated fundamental knowledge on the potential roles of BCFA in neonatal calf gut health. Follow-up studies with larger animal populations are warranted to validate the feasibility of using BCFA as indicators of health status in neonatal calves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Group A rotavirus (RVA) and bovine coronavirus (BCoV) are the two main viral enteropathogens associated with neonatal calf diarrhea. The aim of the present survey was to investigate the epidemiology and the role of RVA and BCoV in the presentation of dairy and beef calf diarrhea in Lerma Valley of Salta province, within the Northwest region of Argentina. Stool samples of calves with or without diarrhea younger than 2 months of age were collected from 19 dairy farms and 20 beef farms between the years 2014 and 2016. Stool samples were screened for RVA and BCoV detection by ELISA. Heminested multiplex RT-PCR was used for RVA typing and RT-PCR to confirm BCoV. Positive samples were submitted to sequencing analysis. Bovine RVA and BCoV were circulating in 63% (12/19) and 10.52% (2/19) of the dairy farms, respectively, where 9.5% (46/484) of the calves were positives to RVA and 0.4% (2/484) to BCoV. In beef herds, RVA was detected in 40% (8/20) of the farms and in 6.75% (21/311) of the calves, without positives cases of BCoV. Molecular analysis showed that in dairy farms, G6P[11] and G10P[11] were the prevalent RVA strains, while in beef farms, G10P[11] was the prevalent. The main finding was the detection for the first time of a G15P[11] causing diarrhea in beef calves of Argentina that represents a new alert to be consider for future vaccine updates. Analysis of detected BCoV showed that it is related to the other circulating strains of Argentina. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Calf diarrhea is a major economic concern in bovine industry all around the world. Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate seasonal and age variations in the prevalence of E. coli and Salmonella species in diarrheic calves and their virulence genes, pathotypes, serogroups and antibiogram. Bacteriological examination of 120 fecal samples collected from diarrheic calves less than three months of age in dry and rainy seasons showed that, 71 (59.5%) and 36 (30%) were positive for E. coli and Salmonella species, respectively while 26 (21.66%) had mixed E. coli and Salmonella species infection. The most prevalent E. coli serogroups were O111 and O26 and Salmonella serovars were S. typhimurium and S. enteritidis. Isolation frequency of E. coli was significantly higher than Salmonella species isolated from diarrheic calves in different ages and seasons (P value=0.004). E. coli and Salmonella species was statistically significant higher in rainy season than dry season. PCR investigation of six virulence determinants among the MDR E. coli isolates revealed that fimH and iss, were the most prevalent (100%), followed by sxt2 (90%), sxt1 (80%), hylA (60% ) and eaeA (40%). All examined multiple drug resisitant (MDR) Salmonella species isolates harbored both invA and sopB virulence genes. E. coli and Salmonella species isolates showed a high sensitivity rate for amikacin (100%), and ciprofloxacin (78.8% and 77.7%), respectively but showed resistance against amoxicillin and tetracycline. The most commonly detected resistance gene was tetA gene. Finally, strict management and hygienic measures should be taken in rearing neonatal calves especially in rainy seasons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This retrospective cohort study aimed to identify risk factors for the failure of transfer of passive immunity (FPI) in preweaned dairy calves, explore its associations with morbidity, mortality, genetics, and determine a standardized cut-off point for FPI. Analyzing data from 6011 calves, factors such as sire predicted transmitted ability for milk (PTA), birth season, retained placenta (RP), total serum protein concentration (TSP), morbidity (neonatal calf diarrhea - NCD, bovine respiratory disease - BRD, tick-borne disease - TBD), mortality, and average daily weight gain (ADG) were considered. The calves were categorized into predominantly Gyr (PG) and predominantly Holstein (PH) genetic composition groups. Multivariate mixed logistic regression revealed optimal TSP cut-off points for predicting morbidity (7.6 g/dL) and mortality (6.9 g/dL). PH calves exhibited 1.35 times higher odds of FPI and 1.48 times greater odds of disease. Calves from multiparous cows and those born to dams with RP had increased FPI odds. Disease prevalence was 53%, with 41% NCD, 18% BRD, and 10% TBD. Season, parity, PTA, and birth weight were associated with disease odds, though FPI was not a reliable predictor. The mortality percentage was 6%, with PH calves and those with a positive PTA having higher odds. The ADG was 0.64 kg, and FPI-affected calves gained less weight. The study compared and identified various risk factors that potentially impact calf immunity. However, the use of a standardized cut-off point for FPI assessment was not effective in predicting morbidity and mortality at this specific farm., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Calf mortality constitutes a substantial loss for agriculture economy-based countries and is also a significant herd problem in developed countries. However, the occurrence and frequency of responsible gastro-intestinal (GI) pathogens in severe newborn diarrhea is still not well known. We aimed to determine the seasonal and age-associated pathogen distribution of severe diarrhea in newborn calves admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of Erciyes University animal hospital over a year. Fecal samples were collected during the ICU admissions, and specimens were subjected to a diarrheal pathogen screening panel that included bovine coronavirus (BCoV), Cryptosporidium spp., ETEC K99+, and bovine rotavirus, using RT-PCR and conventional PCR methods. Further isolation experiments were performed with permissive cell cultures and bacterial enrichment methods to identify the clinical importance of infectious pathogen shedding in the ICU. Among the hospitalized calves aged less than 45 days old, the majority of calves originated from small farms (85.9%). The pathogen that most frequently occurred was Cryptosporidium spp. (61.5%) followed by rotavirus (56.4%). The frequency of animal admission to ICU and GI pathogen identification was higher during the winter season (44.9%) when compared to other seasons. Most calves included in the study were 1–6 days old (44.9%). Lastly, co-infection with rotavirus and Cryptosporidium spp. occurred more frequently than other dual or multi-infection events. This study was the first to define severe diarrhea—causing GI pathogens from ICU admitted newborn calves in Turkey.

Neonatal calves are commonly affected by diarrhea caused by different pathogens, but not always bacteria. Yet, antibiotics are routinely used as a treatment to an unknown extent. It was our goal to survey antibiotic use for the treatment of neonatal calf diarrhea in different countries and to identify influencing factors. A total of 873 farmers and veterinarians in Austria, Belgium, Portugal, and Scotland participated in a voluntary online survey. The data were analyzed using classification and regression tree analyses and chi2 tests. Overall, 52.5% of the participants stated that they use antibiotics when treating neonatal calf diarrhea. Of those, 27% use them always, and 45% use highest priority critically important antibiotics. The most important factor differentiating antibiotic use practices was the country the participants were from, which could be due to regulatory differences between the countries. All antibiotic products stated were licensed for use in cattle, but several were not licensed for the treatment of diarrhea in calves. Our study shows that there is an urgent need for more scientific evidence to define best practices for the treatment of neonatal calf diarrhea. Furthermore, consensual criteria for antibiotic therapy must be defined, and targeted training for farmers and veterinarians must be provided.

The emphasis of this literature overview is placed on the etiology, epidemiology, specific gross and microscopic pathological changes of the commonest gastrointestinal diseases in newborn and growing calves in dairy and beef farms. Neonatal diarrhea in calves is a multifactorial disease accompanied with high morbidity and mortality rates. It incurs considerable economic losses for cattle industry worldwide. The gastroenteritis in calves is most commonly of infectious or parasitic etiology and the most frequently involved enteropathogens are Cryptosporidium parvum, bovine rotaviruses (GRA BRV), bovine coronaviruses (BCoV), mucosal disease virus - bovine viral diarrhoea (BVDV) and Escherichia coli K99 (F5). Affected calves are from 24th hours to 30 days of age, and the appearance of the disease is largely dependent on the immunological status of newborn calves, the amount of ingested colostrum, whether dams are vaccinated or not during the dry period, and the conditions of housing of newborns. The specific gross and microscopic lesions of the gastrointestinal tract and of some parenchymal organs are essential for the diagnostics and differential diagnostics of reviewed diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The primary objective of this randomized controlled trial was to determine whether anti-IL-10 egg yolk antibodies fed upon arrival to a calf ranch would lower the prevalence of Cryptosporidium parvum shedding in naturally challenged preweaned dairy calves. The secondary objectives included measuring the effect of anti-IL-10 antibodies on calf health, performance, and shedding of less common diarrheal pathogens. A total of 133 calves, enrolled at 24 to 72 h of age, received a daily dose of 0.96 g of egg yolk powder with anti-IL-10 antibodies (MAB, n = 71) or without anti-IL-10 antibodies (MEP, n = 62) split between 2 feedings for the first 11 d on feed at a calf ranch. Daily health evaluations were completed for 15 d after arrival and on d 56. Digital weights were collected at enrollment and d 56, and hipometer weights were collected at enrollment and d 7 and 56. Packed cell volume and serum total protein concentration were measured at enrollment and on d 7 and 14. Fecal pH was measured at enrollment and on d 5 and 14, and fecal pathogen (C. parvum, coronavirus, rotavirus, and Salmonella spp.) shedding was assessed at d 5 and 14. Continuous outcomes were compared between groups using a Student's t-test or Wilcoxon rank sum test. Fecal pathogen shedding at d 14, respiratory disease at d 56, and antibiotic usage were compared using relative risk (RR) and chi-squared test. Fecal pH (median and interquartile range) on d 14 was 6.65 (6.39–6.99) and 6.52 (5.97–6.81) for MAB and MEP, respectively. On d 56, the risk of respiratory disease was lower for MAB compared with MEP (RR = 0.40; confidence interval = 0.16–0.99). The risk for antibiotic treatment was lower for MAB- compared with MEP-treated calves (RR = 0.38; confidence interval = 0.17–0.88). The risk of shedding rotavirus was higher in MAB (RR = 1.38; confidence interval = 1.10–1.81) calves. After multivariable analyses, hipometer weights (least squares means ± standard error) were 1.7 ± 0.8 kg greater on d 56 in MAB compared with MEP; however, ADG was 0.04 ± 0.02 kg/d lower in MAB calves. Total health score, diarrhea days, average respiratory score, packed cell volume, and serum total protein were not affected by feeding anti-IL-10 egg antibodies. In summary, feeding anti-IL-10 antibodies was associated with increased fecal pH, reduced risk of respiratory disease later in the preweaning period, and decreased antibiotic usage despite higher rotavirus infection. These findings might be associated with improved mucosal immunity, enhanced host defenses, or reduced susceptibility and warrant further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Producers report bovine respiratory disease and neonatal calf diarrhea as the 2 most common diseases in preweaned calves, both of which can affect calf performance and welfare. Housing calves in groups during the preweaning period has increased in popularity and has the potential to improve calf welfare, but only if producers can detect and treat disease efficiently. A health-screening tool is needed that allows producers to identify suspect animals but minimize the time spent examining healthy animals. The objective of this study was to determine if disease in preweaned, group-housed dairy calves was associated with behavioral measures of illness. This cross-sectional study included the evaluation of preweaned, group-housed calves (n = 206) on 4 farms in Wisconsin, United States. Farm visits included the scoring of key behaviors (abnormal posture when lying or standing, isolation from the group, lethargy, and 2 approach tests that tested the willingness of calves to approach a stationary person) that were hypothesized to be components of sickness behavior. Following the behavior scoring, calves underwent an individual health assessment for bovine respiratory disease, neonatal calf diarrhea, and umbilical infections. Each behavior category was scored as normal (0 points) or abnormal (1 point), and then categories were summed to obtain a total behavior score for each calf. Behavior scores ranged from 0 (normal) to 5 (severely abnormal). A total behavior score of 3 or greater was considered positive for disease. The outcome of a positive or negative test on the behavior score were analyzed using PROC LOGISTIC (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC) and the model controlled for calf age and farm. Bovine respiratory disease was significantly associated with a behavior score of 3 or greater. The use of a behavior score shows promise as a screening tool for disease in preweaned calves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neonatal calf diarrhea is still one of the most important diseases in calf rearing, and severe diarrhea has a marked effect on animal welfare. Furthermore, significant economic losses can result from this disease due to high mortality rates, high medical costs, and low weight gain. To avoid a fatal outcome of the disease, it is crucial that vulnerable calves are identified as early as possible. Interleukin-6 is described as an early and reliable prognostic marker in several diseases. In this study, 20 scouring calves were tested by ELISA for their IL-6 serum concentrations. Samples were collected twice, at the beginning of diarrhea and 7 to 10 d later. Regarding the clinical outcome after 7 to 10 d, calves were classified as recovered or nonrecovered. A receiver operating characteristic analysis was conducted to determine the prognostic value of IL-6 for the progress of clinical symptoms. At the beginning of diarrhea, the IL-6 concentration was significantly higher in nonrecovering calves compared with those that recover 7 to 10 d after the onset of diarrhea. Interleukin-6 proved to be a useful additional parameter in the clinical examination. High initial IL-6 values can support the decision for closer monitoring and an adapted therapeutic strategy for the respective calves. This may help to prevent unnecessary animal suffering and reduce economic losses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An observational study was conducted on dairy calves (51 healthy, 31 with neonatal diarrhea) during outbreaks of diarrhea on 4 dairy farms. Clinical assessment scores (CAS) were assigned to each healthy and diarrheic calf [from 0 (healthy) to 4 (marked illness)]. Blood gas analysis [pH, base excess (BE), Na+, K+, Ca2+, Cl-, glucose, total hemoglobin, standard HCO3 -, strong ion difference (SID), and anion gap (AG)] was completed for each calf. Repeated measurements were taken in healthy animals, and pre- and postintervention measurements were taken for diarrheic calves. The mean CAS of diarrheic calves was 1.7, with 51, 30, 17, and 2% of calves scoring 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. The mean value for blood pH, BE, AG, and SID was 7.26, -4.93 mM, 16.3 mM, and 38.59 mM, respectively. Calves were administered an oral rehydration and buffering solution (ORBS; Vitalife for Calves, Epsilion Ltd., Cork, Ireland) and reassessed. The mean CAS decreased to 0.38 (65% of calves scored 0 and 35% scored 1) at 6 to 18 h posttreatment and to 0.03 (98% of calves scored 0 and 2% scored 1) within 24 to 48 h. Significant increases in mean value for pH, BE, HCO3 -, Na+, and SID, and significant decreases in AG, K+, Ca2+, and total hemoglobin were recorded posttreatment. The correlation estimates indicated that pH, HCO3 -, and BE were strongly correlated with CAS, with values exceeding 0.60 in all cases. Administration of an ORBS with a high SID and bicarbonate buffer demonstrated rapid recovery from a diarrheic episode in dairy calves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]