Sudden death in very young calves is usually associated with more commonly E. coli and sometimes Clostridial disease.

The following are signs involved in E. coli:

• Can occur from 0-4 days of age

• Often you will see weak and poorly suckling signs before death

• Scours are sometimes present but not always and don't involve blood

• You are more likely to find low temperatures below 38

• Often involves more than one calf

​E. coli disease​

The following are signs of clostridial disease:

• Usually occurs after 2 days of age

• No warning signs, just dead calf

• Death is usually very quick

• Often just an individual or two

• Scours are very uncommon

• Temperature is normal

• Gut bloats and does so quickly after death

​Clostridial disease​