Therapeutic Effect of Dioctahedral Smectite on Diarrhea Caused by E. coli and Salmonella in Calves

Abstract

The objectives in the present study were to evaluate the therapeutic effect of dioctahedral smectite (smectite) against calf diarrhea caused by pathogenic E. coli and/or Salmonella typhimurium. Of this study, twenty calves (aged 2-3 months) with diarrhea were used to estimate the efficacy of smectite on calf diarrhea with 20% smectite suspension in PBS. Calves were administered with 10 ml smectite suspension three times a day after feeding, and fecal samples were collected at the gate of treatment and on 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th day after administration. On the 5th day after treatment of smectite suspension, the treated group significantly reduced diarrhea index compared to control group (P<0.001). The number of pathogenic E. coli in feces of the treated group was significantly decreased compared to each control group from on the 2nd day after treatment (P<0.001), and that of Salmonella typhimurium was significantly decreased from on the first day after treatment (P<0.05). From results of the present study, 20% smectite suspension had therapeutic effect on diarrhea caused by E. coli and/or Salmonella in calves.