Diarrhea is more common in old cattle and calves than in those of middle age, where it is generally of little importance, soon correcting itself, especially in the spring, when herds are first turned into green fields. The usual causes are: decayed cabbages, bad grains, or other improper food, or impure water; sudden change to rich pastures; the use of purgative medicines; exposure to cold and wet, acrid bile, sudden change from dry to wet weather, or severe exertion in hot, dry weather.
Symptoms.—The disease comes on slowly, with staring coat, shaking, arched back, fore legs drawn together, cold legs, ears and horns, weak pulse, tucked up belly, bowels rather looser than usual, deficient appetite. The animal becomes thinner, more depressed and dull; little or no milk is given, and the bowels are purged to an alarming extent. This purging may stop and then reappear to end fatally, or terminate in dysentery.
Treatment.—We should, of course, give food not so loosening in its character and the F.F., a dose of twenty drops two or three times per day, will usually be found quite sufficient. In extreme cases, or in case of failure with this remedy, the I.I., may be alternated with it, at the same or even more frequent intervals.
Diarrhea or Cholera or “Skitt” in Young Calves
Is quite common, and not unfrequently dangerous. In its more dangerous form it appears the first or second day, and it is then presumably caused by the feverish or unhealthy condition of the mother’s milk. In its natural condition, this first milk is laxative and intended to act as a removal of the first passages in the new born calf.
When the milk is very rich in butter, as in the Jersey cattle, it becomes excessively laxative, especially during the period of the milk fever, or the first three days after calving. The passages are noticed to be very frequent, loose, liquid, or even watery, with weakness and rapid wasting; the legs and ears become cold, and, in extreme cases, short breath and panting with the tongue out.
Treatment.—The dam should always have a dose of A.A., soon after calving, and this should be continued, a dose at least three times per day for four days, or until the usual danger from milk fever is passed.
If, however, the dam has had no treatment, give her a dose alternately of the A.A., and of the F.F., at intervals of three hours, to change the feverish or unhealthy nature of the milk, as well as to give the calf the Remedy through the mother’s milk.
Give also to the calf a dose of five drops of F.F., once in three hours if the case is urgent, or three times per day if but slight, and gradually omit as the calf improves. If the F.F., fails, give I.I., a dose every fifteen minutes or half hour at first until relieved, then once in three hours.