Effective use of probiotic-glyconutrient combination as an adjuvant to antibiotic therapy for diarrhea in rearing dairy calves

Thirty Holstein calves presented with infectious diarrhea during the second week following birth were utilized to evaluate the effects of a standardized product containing a combination of probiotics, beta-glucans, and glyconutrients (GLY) in support of antibiotic therapy during the early rearing phase (day 7 to day 45 following birth). Treatments were 1) antibiotic therapy (trimethoprim and sulfas; ANTIB), and 2) ANTIB plus 5 g/calf per day GLY. Treatments did not affect diarrhea duration, averaging 16.7 days. However, GLY support decreased (P < 0.05) the mortality rate and increased (P < 0.05) live weight gain. Increased weight gain was attributable to enhanced (P < 0.05) consumption of calf starter. Supplemental GLY increased (P < 0.05) serum glucose and lowered (P < 0.05) serum urea nitrogen, nonesterified fatty acids, and cortisol concentration. We conclude that daily provision of 5 g of a standardized product containing probiotics, beta-glucans, and glyconutrients to diarrheic calves under antibiotic therapy will promote health and enhance early growth performance.