What is the recipe for making oral (PO) or intravenous (IV) fluids for a scouring calf?

Recipe for Oral and Intravenous Fluid Therapy for Scouring Calves

The most effective treatment for scouring (diarrheic) calves is oral rehydration solution (ORS) that can be prepared by mixing 3.5 g of NaCl, 2.5 g of NaHCO3 (or 2.9 g of Na citrate), 1.5 g of KCl, and 20 g of glucose or glucose polymer (e.g., 40 g of sucrose or 4 tablespoons of sugar) per liter of clean water. 1

Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) Preparation

Standard WHO-Based Formula:

• Mix the following ingredients in 1 liter (1.05 qt) of clean water 1:
  • 3.5 g of sodium chloride (NaCl)
  • 2.5 g of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) or 2.9 g of sodium citrate
  • 1.5 g of potassium chloride (KCl)
  • 20 g of glucose or 40 g of sucrose (4 tablespoons of sugar)
• This creates a solution with approximately:
  • Sodium (Na): 90 mmol/L
  • Potassium (K): 20 mmol/L
  • Chloride (Cl): 80 mmol/L
  • Bicarbonate (HCO3): 30 mmol/L
  • Glucose: 111 mmol/L 1

Alternative Carbohydrate Sources:

• Instead of pure glucose, you can use 50-60 g of cooked cereal flour such as rice, maize, sorghum, millet, wheat, or potato per liter of water 1
• These food-based fluids can help prevent dehydration and provide some nutritional support 1

Administration Guidelines

Dosage:

• For mild to moderate dehydration: 2 L of ORS every 12 hours 2
• For severe cases: Consider more frequent administration (every 6-12 hours) 2
• Administer in small volumes if the calf is vomiting (5-10 mL every 1-2 minutes with gradual increase) 1

Feeding Protocol:

• Do not withhold milk for more than 12-24 hours - continuing milk feeding is important for nutritional support 3, 4
• Best approach: Continue feeding milk AND provide ORS 15 minutes after milk feeding 4
• Calves fed both milk and ORS maintain better weight gain during treatment than those on ORS alone 4

Intravenous Fluid Options

For Severe Dehydration:

• Use isotonic intravenous fluids such as lactated Ringer's solution or normal saline when the calf has:
  • Severe dehydration
  • Shock
  • Altered mental status
  • Inability to tolerate oral fluids
  • Intestinal ileus 1

Alternative IV Options:

• Hypertonic saline or hypertonic sodium bicarbonate can be used effectively when intravenous catheterization is difficult in farm settings 3

Assessment of Hydration Status

• Monitor for signs of dehydration:
  • Sunken eyes
  • Reduced skin elasticity/turgor
  • Dry mucous membranes
  • Weakness/lethargy
  • Reduced urination 1
• Assess for metabolic acidosis (particularly important in scouring calves) 2
• Monitor for electrolyte abnormalities, particularly hyponatremia and hyperkalemia 5

Important Considerations

• Hyperosmotic ORS solutions (with higher glucose concentration) may provide better nutritional support while still effectively correcting dehydration and electrolyte imbalances 5, 2
• However, solutions with very high osmolalities can slow abomasal emptying and potentially increase risk of abomasal bloat 3
• Commercially available ORS products (like Pedialyte, CeraLyte) can be used if available 1
• For bloody diarrhea (dysentery), ORS alone may not be sufficient - the calf may require antimicrobial therapy and should be evaluated by a veterinarian 1

Treatment Duration

• Continue fluid therapy until diarrhea resolves and normal hydration is restored 1
• Replace ongoing losses in stools with ORS until diarrhea stops 1
• Gradually transition back to normal feeding as the calf improves 1