Using Laboratory Diagnostics to investigate Neonatal Enteritis
When performing an investigation of neonatal enteritis in calves or lambs on farms, it is advisable to submit samples from a number of affected animals. Animals that have been sick or received treatment for a prolonged period of time are not suitable candidates for sampling. Ideally three to five diarrhoea samples should be collected from early affected, untreated calves. Faecal samples should only be submitted in screw top plastic containers (Figure 3).
In addition, blood samples (serum/red top) should be submitted to check adequate passive transfer of maternal antibodies from colostrum.
Five to ten blood samples should be taken from calves less than ten days of age, and samples should not be collected from sick animals for this particular purpose.
Figure 1: Suitable screw top plastic container for neonatal faecal samples.
If in doubt about sample selection, contact the laboratory directly for advice.