Calves can develop diarrhoea, which farmers might identify as an infectious condition and therefore require antibiotics.
By working with their regular vet, farmers will soon realise that the vast majority of diarrhoea cases in calves are not bacterial, instead they are viral or protozoan, and therefore will not respond to antibiotics. As antibiotics only work against bacteria, it is important to identify which diseases they will be effective for. Developing a herd health plan will include treatment protocols for such occasions. Diarrhoea in calves is normally self-limiting, and supportive care such as fluid therapy and pain relief is often all that is required.