The effects of orally given high rate carbohydrate on some pathogens that play an important role in etiology of the diarrhea in calves

Abstract

This study was carried out on 30 adult calves which completed their rumen development aged from three to six months old in the public held. Twenty calves received totally 1500 ml of propylene glycol per day 3-5 times/day, assigned as study group, while 10 calves that were found to be clinically healthy and didn’t receive any additional treatments served as control group. Clinical, stool, hematological and blood biochemical examinations were performed in all the animals. At the end of the study; it had been found that propylene glycol caused mild diarrhea (15%) and some slightly respiratory system problems (10%), decreased the number of calves which showed fecal-pathogenic agents in their feces, and didn’t cause significant problems in the liver. Consequently; it was determined that a glucose precursor propylene glycol could be used safely in adult calves, and it might help to reduce fecal contamination to neonates by decreasing the number of fecal pathogens, besides increased productivity.