Alterations in biochemical parameters in neonatal calf diarrhea and impact of zinc on clinical recovery

Neonatal calf diarrhea (NCD) is a major cause of mortality and economic loss in dairy units. The present study was undertaken to assess the biochemical alterations associated with NCD and to evaluate therapeutic effectiveness of zinc by an on-field trial. Diarrheic calves (N=30) were randomly allotted to 5 treatment groups (n=6). Healthy cohorts (n=6) were included for comparative study. The relative hyponatremia and hyperkalemia observed in diarrheic calves got resolved upon treatment with zinc @ 2 or 4 mg/kg BW, either alone or in combination with antimicrobial. Also, hypoproteinemia was corrected by zinc @ 2mg/kg BW. Plasma minerals (Ca & Mg) did not vary significantly between groups. Clinical recovery was hastened by incorporating zinc either alone or in combination with antimicrobial. The study indicated potential role of zinc in treating NCD but enjoins for larger controlled clinical trials.