Abstract   

    The study was conducted on 24 calves of one week-age, randomly divided into four groups, of six calves each. First three groups were experimentally infected with E. coli and given treatment in various combinations, while group four was taken as uninfected untreated control. Results obtained on different parameters were, green to yellow-white diarrhoea with variable consistency from watery to semisolid. Generally in all groups during first two days, calves passed faeces around 6-10 times a day and this frequency lowered in about 2-4 days. During first 3-4 days of treatment, all calves appeared weak, dull, depressed with cold skin and wetness of the muzzle, while oral mucosa was pale and eyes were sunken. Overall mean respiration rate of treatment groups was slower (P<0.05) than control group. However, pulse rate showed no difference between treatment and control group. Overall mean rectal temperature was lower (P<0.05) in calves treated with antibiotic alone and with antibiotic + electrolytes, while body weight was higher (P<0.05) in calves treated with antibiotic but was lower along with creatinine (P<0.05) in calves treated with antibiotic + electrolytes and those treated with electrolytes alone.

Key words: Diarrhoea, E. coli, Buffalo calves, antibiotics, respiration, pulse, temperature, body weight.