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

Abstract The objective of this study was to determine the impact of 0, 1, 2, or 3 d of oral electrolyte solutions (OES) following transport on calf behavior, biochemical measures of hydration, and subsequent health. Two cohorts of 60 Holstein bull calves ~3 to 7 d of age were included in this experiment. Calves (n = 30/treatment) were randomized to 1 of 4 treatments on arrival at a calf-raising facility: (1) 1-d OES, (2) 2-d OES, (3) 3-d OES, or (4) no OES (control). Calves were evaluated for signs of arthritis, depression, dehydration, diarrhea, fever, navel inflammation, and respiratory disease on arrival (day 0) and 1, 2, 3, and 7 d after arrival. Blood was obtained following each examination to assess biochemical measures of hydration, including serum electrolytes, glucose, hematocrit, lactate, pH, and serum total protein (STP). Calves were fitted with 3D accelerometers attached to the right hind leg along the metatarsus bone to continuously measure lying time. Linear regression models with Gaussian or Poisson link functions were used to test differences between treatments in blood parameters, as well as disease frequency and behavior, respectively. Calves spent the most time lying immediately post-transport (day 0); however, there was no effect of OES treatment on lying time. On arrival, 90% (95% CI: 84.6% to 95.4%) of calves had mild to moderate dehydration, and there was no significant difference in hydration status across treatments. Mildly dehydrated calves that received 1- and 2-d OES had higher STP concentration compared to the control. Moderately dehydrated calves that received 3- vs. 1-d OES had higher (101.4 vs. 93.7 mmol/L, respectively; P = 0.01) glucose concentration, and 3- vs. 2-d OES (101.4 vs. 96.2, respectively; P = 0.07) calves tended to have higher glucose concentration. The prevalence of failed transfer of passive immunity (STP < 5.1 g/dL) and hypoglycemia (glucose < 4.95 mmol/L) was 26.7% (18.6% to 34.7%) and 76.5% (68.7% to 84.2%), respectively. The frequency of moderate dehydration was lower for calves that received 2-d OES compared to the control (count ratio: 0.4; 0.2% to 0.8%; P = 0.009). These results underline the need for more research on rehydration strategies to help inform calf processing protocols. Future research should investigate preconditioning strategies to minimize the impact of marketing and transport on dairy calves. Continued nutritional-based research is also needed to better support calves’ recovery post-transport.