Diarrea Neonatal en guachera

Abstract

Neonatal diarrhea in calves (NDC) is a complex, multifactorial disease of newborns. Clinically, it can present from 12 hours postpartum to the first 35 days of life and is characterized by the excretion of watery and profuse feces, leading to progressive dehydration, acidosis, and, in severe cases, death within a few days. Mortality rates during the rearing phase can vary from 1 to 50 %, and neonatal diarrhea accounts for 40 to 70 % of these deaths. Similarly, for production to be profitable, the normal mortality rate at this stage should be around 5%, with the ideal being for establishments to achieve a mortality rate of 2% to 3%. Generally, the highest number of deaths occur within the first 21 days of life, with the most common age for treatment being between 9 and 12 days old. NDC has been linked to over 50 % of calf deaths. On dairy farms, it is a significant cause of death and economic losses, both direct (treatment and mortality) and indirect (for example, individuals who are part of genetic enhancement programs, with the aim of improving and increasing future productive and reproductive value). The main objective of this work is to analyze and delve into the causes of neonatal diarrhea in dairy herds to achieve early diagnosis, appropriate treatments, and expand preventive measures. The pathology is defined, as well as the risk factors and possible etiological causes, explaining the pathophysiology of NDC and the most common signs according to the etiology. Possible diagnostic methods, including laboratory tests, are described, and potential etiological treatments are developed, along with palliative care such as fluid therapy, which should be administered to increase the chances of recovery and survival of affected animals. Finally, preventive measures that should be taken to minimize the incidence of NDC are described, concluding that prevention is the best tool available to achieve the stated objective.