E ColiThis is probably
The
most common reason for scours in young kids, 5 days old and under
usually. (Not to say it cannot happen in older kids and adults, but
this is the age group most commonly affected.) The scours in this case
may be bright yellow or whitish and watery, because of the excess
fluids the intestines are producing (which is what causes dehydration).
There
may or may not be a fever, and often times you will find a sub normal
temperature. The baby will more than likely stand with a "hunched"
appearance, holding tail and head in a lower than normal position. The
kid may act hungry but will not eat aggressively. Blindness in advanced
cases is often times noted.
Other symptoms can include;
abdominal pain and severe cramps, depression, weakness, and
dehydration.
Confirmation of disease can be verified by culture of the
bacteria. This is another problem of unclean surroundings, bacteria
entering the neonate via the umbilical cord, mouth or teats of the dam.
Overcrowding and unkempt pens are more than likely the culprit.
Treatment must be aggressive to be successful.
This disease can be particularly difficult to diagnose as it comes in different forms:
1. Colisepticemia (Septicemic colibacillosis, Septicemic disease)Colisepticemia is most often seen during the first week of life, most commonly at 2-5 days of age (Acute).
Acute:This
is a rapid onset and endotoxemic shock is usually the result, which
leads to a quick death. Transmission of this typically is nasal
contact, oral contact or umbilical contact. Mortality can be up to 100%
of affected kids.The actual course of clinical symptoms is a very short
period- (3-8 hrs), so many times goes unnoticed. Subnormal temperature,
listlessness, an early loss of interest in sucking followed by
depression, poor response to external stimuli (talking to or handling,
in advanced cases. the eye flick test), collapse, recumbency, coma and death.
Chronic: This form may be
seen in neonates up to 2 weeks of age. This becomes a localized
disease, including but not limited to Nephritis;
(an inflammation of the kidney) , Uveitis;
(an inflammation inside the eye),Meningitis;
(an inflammation of the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord) and Polyarthritis;
(any type of arthritis which involves five or more joints) to name a few diseases directly related to a deficient immune system usually due to early colostrum deprivation.
2. Endotoxemia
a poisoning of the naturally existing gram negative bacteria in the
intestine that has broken into the bloodstream. The bacteria that are
above the capacity the liver can detoxify become the toxic and
dangerous bacteria. The immune system simply goes into overload and
shuts down. Symptoms include but are not limited to: High fever,
depression, and lack of appetite. Edotoxic shock then becomes a major
concern: Increased heart rate, weak pulse, dehydration, darkening of
the gums, cold extremities (tail, limbs, hooves and ears), sub-normal
temperature, increased respiratory rate, besides the typical scouring.
Endotoxic shock
(also known to many as:Bacteremic Shock, Endotoxic Shock, Septicemic Shock, Warm Shock) is most of the time fatal unless a veterinarian is able to administer fluids IV and treat the bacteria aggressively.
Replace
fluids and electrolyte loss, kill the organism with antibiotics
(antibiotics that are aggressive against gram-negative organisms) place
patient into a clean environment. Replace milk with electrolyte formula
for 24 hours. Neomycin, tetracycline and sulfa drugs are common
medications for treatment.
The oral use of
Biosol Liquid antibacterial (Neomycin Sulfate) is very helpful. I also use
CD Anti-Toxin in cases of e-coli.
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