The first month of life is the highest disease risk period for dairy calves, with rotavirus, cryptosporidiosis, and E. coli causing significant welfare suffering.
Calves with scour experience severe dehydration, weakness, and abdominal pain from electrolyte imbalance and mucosal inflammation. Untreated severe scour causes death within 24-48 hours. Even mild scour causes welfare impairment through reduced vitality and feeding. Prevention through colostrum management, vaccination, and housing hygiene eliminates most scour burden. Rapid identification and oral rehydration treatment saves affected calves and reduces suffering duration. Welfare-focused calf management treats scour prevention as the primary objective, with treatment protocols for breakthrough cases clearly established for all farm staff.