Rehydration post-transport: duration of oral fluid therapy on behavior, biochemical measures of hydration, and health of neonatal dairy calves

Authors: Pempek, Jessica; ENGLAND, ZACHARY - The Ohio State University; HABING, GREGORY - The Ohio State University; NIEHAUS, ANDREW - The Ohio State University

Submitted to: Journal of Animal Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/26/2023
Publication Date: 1/14/2024
Citation: Pempek, J.A., England, Z., Habing, G.G., Niehaus, A. 2024. Rehydration post-transport: duration of oral fluid therapy on behavior, biochemical measures of hydration, and health of neonatal dairy calves. Journal of Animal Science. https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skae011.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skae011

Interpretive Summary: Most male calves are sold and transported from the dairy farm soon after birth. Typically, calves are transported without access to milk and/or water, and they often arrive at calf-raising facilities with varying degrees of dehydration. This study provided calves with 0 (control), 1, 2, or 3 consecutive days of oral electrolyte solutions and assessed calf behavior, biomarkers of hydration, and subsequent health post-transport. Most calves were dehydrated and hypoglycemic (low blood glucose levels) on arrival at the calf-raising facility. Calves spent the most time lying immediately post-transport; however, electrolytes did not impact total lying time, the number of lying bouts, or lying bout duration. Providing calves with electrolytes for 2 days improved moderate dehydration (assessed via skin tent test) compared to the control. These results suggest that providing calves with 2 consecutive days of electrolytes can improve clinical hydration; however, more research is needed to mitigate dehydration prior to arrival at calf-raising facilities.

Technical Abstract: Most male calves are sold and transported from the dairy farm soon after birth. Typically, calves are transported without access to milk and/or water, and they often arrive at calf-raising facilities with varying degrees of dehydration. This study provided calves with 0 (control), 1, 2, or 3 consecutive days of oral electrolyte solutions and assessed calf behavior, biomarkers of hydration, and subsequent health post-transport. Most calves were dehydrated and hypoglycemic (low blood glucose levels) on arrival at the calf-raising facility. Calves spent the most time lying immediately post-transport; however, electrolytes did not impact total lying time, the number of lying bouts, or lying bout duration. Providing calves with electrolytes for 2 days improved moderate dehydration (assessed via skin tent test) compared to the control. These results suggest that providing calves with 2 consecutive days of electrolytes can improve clinical hydration; however, more research is needed to mitigate dehydration prior to arrival at calf-raising facilities.