Diarrhea in Neonatal Ruminant Calves: Diagnosis and Treatment

A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Cattle".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 6 November 2026 | Viewed by 1862

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia ed Emilia Romagna "B. Ubertini", 25124 Brescia, Italy
Interests: ruminants; animal nutrition; nutritional additives; alternatives to anibiotics; sustainability
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue will address the critical challenge of neonatal diarrhea in ruminant calves, a major cause of economic losses and high mortality in livestock farming. We welcome cutting-edge research and reviews exploring improved diagnostic methods, effective treatments, and preventive strategies to enhance calf health and production efficiency.

Contributions are invited in the following key areas:

  • Etiology and Pathogenesis—bacterial, viral, parasitic, and nutritional causes of diarrhea;
  • Diagnostic Advances—rapid tests, molecular diagnostics, and biomarkers for early detection;
  • Treatment Strategies—antimicrobial therapies, alternatives (probiotics, phage therapy, immunomodulators), and supportive care;
  • Prevention and Control—vaccination, colostrum management, and biosecurity measures;
  • Nutritional Interventions—the role of milk replacers, electrolytes, and feed additives;
  • Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)—responsible use of antibiotics and AMR mitigation;
  • Economic and Welfare Impacts—cost-effective solutions and best management practices.

Dr. Valentina Caprarulo
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • neonatal calf diarrhea
  • diagnostics
  • therapeutics
  • probiotics
  • antimicrobial resistance
  • prevention
  • veterinary medicine
  • ruminant health

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

17 pages, 1039 KB  
Article
Effects of Astaxanthin as a Feed Additive on Growth Performance, Intestinal Microbiota and Clinical Parameters in Preweaning Female Holstein Calves: A Preliminary Study
by Elena Scaglia, Valeria Sergi, Laura Giagnoni, Livio Galosi, Anna Simonetto, Giulia Ferronato, Gianni Gilioli and Valentina Caprarulo
Animals 2026, 16(8), 1173; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani16081173 - 11 Apr 2026
Viewed by 523
Abstract
The preweaning period is a critical phase for dairy calves, during which gastrointestinal disorders, particularly diarrhea, remain a major cause of morbidity and antimicrobial use. Astaxanthin, a xanthophyll carotenoid with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, has shown potential to support intestinal health in several [...] Read more.
The preweaning period is a critical phase for dairy calves, during which gastrointestinal disorders, particularly diarrhea, remain a major cause of morbidity and antimicrobial use. Astaxanthin, a xanthophyll carotenoid with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, has shown potential to support intestinal health in several animal species, but information in preweaning dairy calves is limited. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of astaxanthin supplementation administered through milk replacer on growth performance, clinical health, metabolic profile, and fecal microbiota in preweaning Holstein calves. Twenty-four female Holstein calves (body weight, mean ± SD: 49.51 ± 12.14 kg) were randomly assigned to a control group (CTR; n = 12) or an astaxanthin-supplemented group (TRT; n = 12). Treated calves received 40 mg/d of astaxanthin from week 0 to 4 and 80 mg/d from week 4 to 8. Body weight, feed intake, rectal temperature, and fecal consistency score, fecal color score and clinical scores were recorded throughout the trial. Blood samples were collected in weeks 0 and 8 for metabolic profiling, and fecal samples were collected in weeks 0, 4, and 8 to assess fecal consistency and bacterial populations. Astaxanthin supplementation did not affect body weight, average daily gain, or overall feed intake. However, treated calves exhibited a lower frequency of abnormal fecal consistency scores, indicating reduced diarrhea incidence compared with control calves. Fecal microbiological analysis revealed lower coliform counts in astaxanthin-supplemented calves in weeks 4 and 8, whereas total bacterial counts were greater in week 8. Most blood metabolites were primarily influenced by age-related physiological changes; however, circulating calcium concentrations were greater in treated calves. These results suggest that astaxanthin may represent a promising nutritional strategy to support gastrointestinal health during early life, although larger studies are needed to confirm these findings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diarrhea in Neonatal Ruminant Calves: Diagnosis and Treatment)
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15 pages, 1124 KB  
Article
Whole-Genome Sequencing and Antimicrobial Resistance Analysis of Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli F5 and F5-F41 Strains Isolated from Neonatal Calves in Inner Mongolia, China
by Mengyuan Xie, Hewei Shang, Liangliang Lv, Pingping Liu, Wenhao Li, Dong Wang, Yue Yuan, Tianqu Huang, Xiumin Wang and Xiaojing Xu
Animals 2026, 16(1), 151; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani16010151 - 5 Jan 2026
Viewed by 825
Abstract
Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC)-induced neonatal calf diarrhea (NCD) causes significant economic losses to the cattle industry; therefore, understanding its antibiotic resistance is crucial for developing targeted prevention and treatment strategies. However, reports on antibiotic resistance in bovine ETEC are currently limited. This study [...] Read more.
Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC)-induced neonatal calf diarrhea (NCD) causes significant economic losses to the cattle industry; therefore, understanding its antibiotic resistance is crucial for developing targeted prevention and treatment strategies. However, reports on antibiotic resistance in bovine ETEC are currently limited. This study conducted whole-genome sequencing (WGS) and antimicrobial susceptibility testing on ETEC F5- and F5-F41-positive strains isolated from neonatal calf diarrhea samples in Inner Mongolia, China. The results showed that both ETEC F5- and ETEC F5-F41-positive strains are multidrug-resistant, containing ceftriaxone (CRO), ceftazidime (CAZ)) and ciprofloxacin (CIP), which are listed as the highest priority critically important antimicrobial (HP-CIAs) by the World Health Organization (WHO). Combined analysis using the Comprehensive Antibiotic Resistance Database (CARD) and ResFinder 4.1 predictive analysis revealed that the chromosomes and plasmids of the 2 ETEC-positive strains contained 11 classes of antibiotic resistance genes, with the top 3 categories in terms of the number of resistance genes being aminoglycosides, β-lactamases, and chloramphenicols. In addition, various bacterial efflux pumps, including RND, MFS, SMR, and the ABC efflux pump family, were detected. A total of 74 antimicrobial resistance genes were identified in the 2 strains, belonging to 5 categories of drug resistance mechanisms; the antimicrobial resistance phenotype was consistent with the genotype. This study provides a reference for the prevention and treatment of diarrhea caused by ETEC. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diarrhea in Neonatal Ruminant Calves: Diagnosis and Treatment)
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