A 2-week-old calf is experiencing severe malabsorptive diarrhea and labored breathing. The veterinarian and technician arrive to the farm and perform a complete physical examination on the patient. The calf is hypothermic, 8% dehydrated, tachycardic and tachypneic, but still has a suckle reflex. The veterinarian asks the technician to prepare intravenous fluids to treat this calf, but he farmer is surprised when they opt to not give systemic antibiotics to address the obvious pneumonia. What is the veterinarian's reason for doing this?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The symptoms described, including severe malabsorptive diarrhea and labored breathing, can be misleading. The labored breathing may not necessarily indicate pneumonia but could be a result of the severe dehydration and electrolyte imbalances affecting the calf's overall condition. The veterinarian's decision not to administer systemic antibiotics suggests a diagnosis that does not primarily involve a bacterial infection requiring such treatment.

A 2-Week-Old Calf Is Experiencing Severe Malabsorptive Diarrhea and Labored