Abstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of fast action enrofloxacin and its association with oral or intravenous support by assessing the clinical response, serum metabolites and body development of the dairy calves with diarrhea. We used 56 animals divided in groups: Healthy Group (n=5), Antibiotic Group (ATB; n=15), Antibiotic + Intravenous Support Group (ATB+IS; n=9), Antibiotic + Oral Support Group (ATB+OS; n=16), Intravenous Support Group (IS; n=11). All animals were daily monitored during the first 42 days of life and, when diagnosed diarrhea, was conducted clinical evaluation and blood sampling at 0, 24, 72 and 120 h for hematologic evaluation and serum metabolites, and weekly to body development. All the groups receiving the antibiotic had improved consistency of feces. ATB+OS had positive results on the levels of lymphocytes, eosinophils and chlorides. ATB+IS showed higher values of total proteins and globulins. In relation to body development, there was no difference between groups. Thus, enrofloxacin fast action was effective in reversing diarrhea and its association with oral replacement solution helped the clinical response by improving leukocyte pattern and chlorides. Since its association with the intravenous fluid got a better response in protein metabolism.
Keywords:
Antibiotic therapy; Dehydration; Fluid therapy; Calves
