Clinico-Pathological Findings of Septicaemic Colibacillosis in a Calf

Abstract

Colibacillosis is one of the major cause of mortality among young calves due to severe diarrhoea associated with calf scour and septicaemia. A two weeks old male Friesian cross calf weighing about 50 kg was presented to the large animal clinic of the University Veterinary Hospital with complains of yellowish-watery diarrhoea for the past two days, lethergy and recumbency. The calf was dull and depressed, diarrhoeic, dehydrated with bilateral sunken and congested eyes. Three other calves had recently died of recurring similar symptoms in the same herd. Antibiotic and fluid therapy with analgesic as adjunct treatment plan, but the calf died while being treated. The blood biochemical analysis revealed hyperkalaemia, hypocalcaemia, slightly elevated urea, creatinine and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). Necropsy findings were congestion and haemorrhage in the abomasum, jejunum and colon with sloughing off of the mucosa. The liver was pale, kidneys and heart were congested and haemorrhagic. Bacteriological examination revealed that E. Coli was consistently isolated in biopsy samples of the visceral organs. Improved sanitation and provision of adequate colostrum to new-born calves have forestalled the occurrence of the disease in the herd.