Summer Scour Syndrome
What is it?
This syndrome is characterised by diarrhoea and upper digestive tract ulceration in at least some animals in a group of weaned dairy calves less than 12 months of age on a grass diet. It can occur any time after turn-out, in Spring, Summer, or Autumn. Other common causes of diarrhoea of calves at grass e.g. coccidiosis, parasitic gastroenteritis and copper-molybdenum imbalances must be ruled out before a diagnosis of summer scour syndrome is made.
Investigation, control and treatment of summer scour syndrome require close co-operation between herdowner and veterinary practitioner. Clinical signs include:
- Scour/diarrhoea - not just loose faeces.
- Rapid weight loss- frequently leading to chronic lack of thrive.
- Upper digestive tract ulceration - oral/muzzle ulcers may be seen in at least some calves in the group.
- Weakness, dullness, poor coat.
This condition can progress to death if not rapidly controlled.
Risk Factors:
Research into the causes of Summer Scour Syndrome in calves are on-going. Currently recognised risk factors include:
- Calves with access to ‘good’ grazing on nitrogen-rich grass with a high crude protein content and low fibre content.
- Calves that have been prematurely or poorly weaned appear to be more at risk.
Treatment
These calves don’t respond to traditional scour treatments and it is advised that they are taken off pasture, re-housed and fed good quality roughage and concentrates until symptoms resolve. Successful treatment requires early intervention.
Prevention
Affected calves may fall behind their daily gain targets and struggle to recover daily gains lost during their illness. Therefore, prevention is advised. Prevention measures include:
- Correct weaning management of calves starting from early introduction of good quality calf rations and forage to the diet to allow optimum rumen maturation.
- Gradual weaning onto a grass diet with continued adequate access to concentrates and good quality hay and straw.
- Choosing a weaning pasture with higher fibre grazing may also reduce the risk of Summer Scour Syndrome in calves.
Animal Health Ireland information on calf weaning may be accessed at:
https://animalhealthireland.ie/assets/uploads/2023/03/AHI-Bulletin-March-2023-FINAL.pdf?dl=1