Dehydration among calves is a severe problem that is often overlooked among producers. It can be caused for many reasons, typically from the summer heat and scours. The time from recognizing the symptoms to providing treatment is crucial.
When it comes to treating dehydration, producers need to be ready to step in quickly. It does not take long for a dehydrated calf to deteriorate if not treated promptly. While scours is often the cause, if you do not rehydrate with fluids, you will lose the calf.
The degree of dehydration can be hard to recognize, so observation is the key. Producers should educate themself on what to look for and what treatments to do. Here are five signs to look for when diagnosing dehydration in your calves.