[Infectious diarrhea of calves: therapeutic and preventive possibilities based on etiological, pathophysiological and...

In this article the current knowledge on the development mechanisms of bacterial, viral and cryptosporidial neonatal calf diarrhoea are briefly reviewed as basis for an efficacious prophylaxis strategy. Hygienic measures will prevent the infection of the calf before colostrum intake and will diminish the infection pressure during the first weeks of life. Moreover, local intestinal immunity will be provided by early administration of immune colostrum for the prevention of E.coli diarrhoea and prolonged administration of colostrum or immune milk during the first weeks can protect against viral diarrhoea. To obtain a maximum level of E.coli antibodies in colostrum, the last vaccination has to be administered at least 8 weeks before parturition. Prolonged excretion of antiviral antibodies in the milk for several weeks, can be achieved by a 'priming' vaccination with an adjuvanted inactivated vaccine during pregnancy, followed by a booster vaccination within 24 hours after parturition. Cryptosporidium parvum diarrhoea can be prevented with halofuginone lactate.