Calf Scours: Definition and causes

Calf scours is a broad, descriptive term referring to diarrhea in calves. It is not a specific disease with a specific cause, but it is actually a clinical sign of a disease complex with many possible causes. The present literature is review of the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, control and vaccination of calf scours. Scours occur within the first several days of life are the most important cause of calf sickness and death. Almost no herd goes through a calving season without some scours. In severe outbreaks, the effects of scours in an individual herd can be overwhelming. Morbidity may occur in 70 % of calves born and mortality may occur in 50 %. The present study was concluded that the causes of calf scours divided to noninfectious scours (nutritional) and infectious scours (Viral, bacterial and protozoal agents).