Products
C.H.E.E.R.S.®
Concentrated High Energy Electrolyte Rehydration Solution
C.H.E.E.R.S. is not an electrolyte.
A source of fluid and energy for calves suffering from diarrhea, built on a complex carbohydrate base instead of dextrose, with no bicarbonate and low osmolarity to rehydrate calves quickly. C.H.E.E.R.S.® delivers more glucose to the gut without the osmotic penalty, and it allows milk feeding to continue throughout treatment.
Ask About C.H.E.E.R.S.
What It Does
Ideal for calves suffering from diarrhea, and for periods of scours when dehydration is the immediate threat.
- Rapidly replenishes fluids and electrolytes
- Promotes extra fluid absorption to help reduce the volume and duration of diarrhea
- Unique complex carbohydrate base
- Reduces osmotic penalty
- Helps correct metabolic acidosis
- Allows continuous feeding of milk
- Provides multiple sources of energy
The Complex Carbohydrate Advantage
Why dextrose solutions are limited
Dextrose-based solutions can only contain as much glucose as is found in normal blood. More than that makes the solution hypertonic and pulls water from the blood into the gut (the osmotic penalty), which makes dehydration worse. So they replace what was lost, but cannot generate the extra fluid absorption that shortens diarrhea.
How the complex carbohydrate differs
The complex carbohydrate in C.H.E.E.R.S.® is a polymer chain of linked glucose molecules. Only the unbound ends contribute to osmotic pressure, so a whole chain adds no more pressure than a single glucose unit. That allows concentrated glucose to be held in the lumen for transport without raising osmolarity.
Absorbed at the gut wall
The bonds are broken at the intestinal wall at roughly the same rate the glucose is absorbed, so sodium and water move into the blood with virtually no time to experience osmotic penalty. The extra fluid absorbed is drawn from the bowel, reducing the volume of watery stool and possibly the duration of diarrhea.
Organic salts, not bicarbonate
C.H.E.E.R.S.® corrects metabolic acidosis using organic salts (sodium acetate, sodium propionate, calcium acetate, and sodium citrate) rather than sodium bicarbonate. Unlike bicarbonate, organic salts do not interfere with milk digestion, which is what allows milk or milk replacer to be fed continuously during rehydration.
Two transport solutes
The formula uses two solutes, complex carbohydrate (maltodextrin) and glycine, to move electrolytes and water even when the primary sodium-water channel is disrupted by disease. It is strawberry/banana flavored for appetite appeal.
Calf Trial Results
C.H.E.E.R.S.® calves started the trial slightly worse than control calves on dehydration and depression scores. By day 5, all five C.H.E.E.R.S.® calves were alive; three of the five control calves were not.
| Measure | C.H.E.E.R.S.® | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Dehydration score, day 1 | 1.6 | 1.0 |
| Dehydration score, day 5 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Depression/acidosis score, day 1 | 2.2 | 1.0 |
| Depression/acidosis score, day 5 | 0.2 | 1.5 |
| Fecal consistency score, day 1 | 2.8 | 2.6 |
| Fecal consistency score, day 5 | 1.8 | 2.5 |
| Calves, day 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Calves, day 5 | 5 | 2 |
| Death loss | 0 | 3/5 = 60% |
Dehydration score = skin tenting (0–2) + eyeball recession (0–2). Depression score = suck reflex + menace reflex + tactile response + ability to stand (0–2 each). Fecal consistency score is 1–4. For all measures, lower numbers are better.
Human Research Behind the Technology
Complex carbohydrate formulas have been used in human electrolyte solutions for decades. In every study below, stool volume was lower with complex carbohydrate than with dextrose.
| Study | Period | Dextrose | Complex CHO | Reduction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Molina et al., 1994 | 0–6 hours | 22 ± 20ᵃ | 16 ± 14ᵇ | 27.3% |
| Molina et al., 1994 | 6–12 hours | 14 ± 19ᵃ | 9 ± 13ᵇ | 35.7% |
| Molina et al., 1994 | 12–24 hours | 25 ± 33 | 22 ± 20 | N.S. |
| Fayad et al., 1993 | 0–24 hours | 69ᵃ | 53ᵇ | 23.2% |
| Islam et al., 1990* | 0–24 hours | 176.7 ± 72.1 | 101.7 ± 50.2 | 42.4% |
| Islam et al., 1990* | 24–48 hours | 184.7 ± 108.3 | 90.8 ± 40.2 | 50.8% |
| Molla et al., 1985 | 0–24 hours | 204ᶜ | 155ᵈ | 24.0% |
| Sabchareon et al., 1989* | 0–24 hours | 2,046.3 g/day | 775.8 g/day | 62.1% |
| Greenough, 1987* | 0–24 hours | 325 | 105 | 67.6% |
| Greenough, 1987* | 24–48 hours | 150 | 65 | 56.7% |
Stool volume comparison, dextrose vs. complex carbohydrate electrolyte solutions in humans. ᵃ,ᵇ Treatments with unlike superscripts differ (P<.05). ᶜ,ᵈ Treatments with unlike superscripts differ (P<.01). * Significance levels not reported.
Understanding Scours
In a normal gut, water flows to the lumen of the intestine to aid digestion and back to the blood to absorb nutrients, maintain blood pH, and distribute oxygen. A normal calf moves about 100 liters of water across the gut wall and reabsorbs it over the course of a day. Scours is a disturbance in that flow: when water gets stuck in the lumen and cannot return to the body, it becomes part of the stool and appears as diarrhea.
Dr. Vermeire’s Four D’s of Scours
- 1Diarrhea
- 2Dehydration
- 3Depression
- 4Death from acidosis
Recognizing Dehydration
- 0–5% of body weight
- Not easily detectable.
- 6–8% of body weight
- Loose, watery stool. Droopy ears. Slight recession of eyeballs.
- 9–11% of body weight
- Eyes clearly sunken. Lack of skin elasticity at the neck and eyelid. Depression from metabolic acidosis, losing the ability to suck and blink, lack of tactile response, no response to hand movement near the eyes. Lack of ability to stand. Cold extremities from reduced circulation.
- 12–15% of body weight
- Coma. Death.
Mixing & Feeding
Mixing Directions
- U.S.: Mix 5 oz of C.H.E.E.R.S.® powder with warm water (110°F) to make two quarts of solution. The enclosed scoop holds approximately 2.5 oz of dry powder, so use two level scoops per two quarts.
- Metric: Mix 148 grams (5.25 oz) of powder with warm water (43°C) to make two liters of solution. The enclosed scoop holds approximately 70 grams, so use two heaping scoops per two liters.
- Mixes in warm water at 105–120°F. It will require slightly more mixing than dextrose solutions.
Feeding Directions
- U.S.: Feed 2 quarts (4 lb) of electrolyte solution per calf, 2–3 times daily, 2 to 3 hours after feeding.
- Metric: Feed 2 liters (2 kg) of electrolyte solution per calf, 2–3 times daily, 2 to 3 hours after feeding.
- Feed through an esophageal feeder if needed.
- Continue feeding milk or milk replacer. C.H.E.E.R.S.® does not interfere with milk digestion, and research shows calves fed milk during scours gain more weight than calves fed electrolytes only.
Ingredients
Maltodextrins, sodium acetate, glycine, sodium propionate, salt, calcium acetate, potassium chloride, sodium citrate, potassium phosphate, citric acid, flavor ingredients.
Available Sizes
- 32-Dose Pail
- For smaller strings or spot treatment
- 100-Dose Pail
- For calf ranches treating higher volumes
Technical Resources
Detailed mixing rates, item codes, and additional package formats for label and procurement purposes:
- 9898 4B
- 25 lb (11.34 kg) heat-sealed, poly-lined paper bag
- 9898 34
- 10 lb (4.54 kg) plastic rectangular pail with E-Z open lid and handle
- 9898 L7
- 3.5 lb (1.59 kg) plastic square pail with E-Z open lid
- 9898 ER
- 6 kg (13.23 lb) plastic pail with lid
“I’m a repeat C.H.E.E.R.S. customer and my death loss is between 1 and 1 ½ percent. I found that when I treat calves with C.H.E.E.R.S., not only do I keep calves alive, but they become healthy calves again – not cull calves.”
Ernie G.
Indiana