How to Stop Diarrhea in Cows

Cows with diarrhea must be kept well hydrated.

Diarrhea in cattle can be caused by a number of conditions. Bovine coronavirus infection, bacterial scours and parasites all can result in diarrhea in cows. The best way to stop diarrhea in cows is to hydrate them and replace lost electrolytes. Electrolyte powder can be bought from a veterinarian or an electrolyte formula can be made at home.

Things You'll Need

• 1 tbsp. baking soda
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 cup light Karo syrup
• 1 gallon warm water
• Bottle
• Stomach tube

Instructions

1. Combine 1 tbsp. baking soda, 1 tsp. salt, 1 cup light Karo syrup and 1 gallon of warm water.

2. Pour one quart of the liquid into a bottle, and feed it to your cow. If the cow won't take a bottle, you can use a stomach tube.

3. Give the cow another quart of the liquid every three to four hours.

4. Do not let your cow have an ensiled feed, especially corn silage, and feed only dry hay for two to three days. While grazing also should be avoided for a couple of days, a small amount of sweet grain is allowed.

5. If the diarrhea does not stop, it is important to see a veterinarian who can prescribe antibiotics for your cow.

References

• Waterloo Animal Hospital: Calf Scours: Causes, Prevention and Treatment

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish