Fecal score and pH

The fecal score was monitored daily regarding the fluidity of feces: (0) regular and firm; (1) soft; (2) aqueous; (3) fluid, according to Calf Heath Scoring Criteria previously published by The University of Wisconsin (Madison) by McGuirk⁴⁹. The diarrhea episode was considered when the calves presented fecal score ≥ 2 for more than 1 day⁵⁰. The diarrhea rate was calculated according to the formula adapted from Li et al.⁵¹: Diarrhea rate = (days with diarrhea ÷ days evaluated) × 100.

Calves with a score ≥ 2 received an oral rehydration solution (1 g of potassium chloride, 80 g of dextrose, 4 g of sodium bicarbonate, and 5 g of sodium chloride per liter of warm water) at 11 h. Calves’ rectal temperature was measured daily using a digital thermometer, and fever was considered when calves presented more than 39.4 °C. Health problems were monitored and treated according to veterinary recommendations. Fecal pH was measured weekly, 2 h after the morning feeding, using 4 g of feces added to 4 mL of deionized water, using a digital pH meter (tec-5 model, Tecnal Ltda.), according to Channon et al.⁵².