Microscopic Evaluation of Direct Fecal Smears in the Assessment of Bovine Neonatal Enteritis

Abstract

Enteritis, or calf scours, is the most common clinical disease of pre-weaned dairy calves and accounts for nearly 60% of pre-weaned dairy calf mortality. Multiple nutritional factors and infectious agents are associated with calf scours. The lack of agent specific clinical signs makes it difficult to determine presumptive etiologies and prescribe specific treatment. Changes in the fecal microflora and the presence of fecal white blood cells are observed in calves with enteritis. The hypothesis for this study was that alterations in the fecal microflora and/or the presence of fecal white blood cells are related to enteric disease signs in dairy calves and may provide useful clinical information. The objectives of this study were to evaluate fecal direct smears for the presence of enteric microflora and fecal white blood cells and compare this information with the presence of enteric disease signs in dairy calves.