I use Hydrafast as my first choice between milk feeds whenever I see a calf scouring. The calves find it very palatable and, on the rare occasion they’re not keen to drink, it’s easy to administer via a stomach tube. It’s highly effective at both preventing and correcting acidosis, and I consistently see calves recover quickly from scour related symptoms after being fed Hydrafast. Bryony Symms – Sherborne, Dorset Dosage & Administration Mix the contents of one sachet in 2 litres of clean, fresh, warm water and mix thoroughly. Feed immediately. Administer orally, preferably using a feeding bottle with teat. Alternatively, bucket or tube feeding can be used. At first signs of diarrhoea feed 2 litres of prepared solution twice daily and continue for at least 2 days. Continue milk or milk replacer feeding if at all possible. If milk feeding, ensure a 3 hour gap between Hydrafast and milk feeding. Research has shown that continuing milk feeding during calf scour is very important to maintain calf strength and aid recovery. However, Hydrafast is much more effective than milk at rehydrating the calf and preventing metabolic acidosis, keeping the calf bright, so using Hydrafast alongside milk from the onset of scour is vital. Ideal Protocol: At first signs of scour feed 2 litres of prepared Hydrafast solution twice daily and continue for at least 2 days. Also continue milk feeding the calf or allow calf to suckle as normal if possible. Ongoing nutrition from milk is important for the calf’s recovery. If milk feeding, ensure a 3-hour gap between Hydrafast and milk feeding. Administer Hydrafast orally, preferably using a feeding bottle with teat. Alternatively, bucket or tube feeding can be used.
