Calf scour: Another tool in the armoury

Neonatal calf diarrhoea, (commonly known as scour), affects calves in the first two weeks of life. There are four main infectious agents recognised as causing the vast majority of cases. These, in order of prevalence, are rotavirus, cryptosporidium, coronavirus and E.coli K99.

Whilst one of these bugs may be identified in laboratory testing of samples from individual scour cases, it is generally recognised that in severe scour outbreaks, usually more than one pathogen is involved.

Neonatal calf diarrhoea is an almost ubiquitous disease with most farms experiencing a few cases each year. If the number of calves developing scour in the first two weeks of life becomes problematic, it is essential the farm team react quickly to control the outbreak. Large numbers of scouring calves usually means some fatalities, as well as a burden on farm labour, increased veterinary costs and reduced thrive of survivors.

Like most farm diseases, the control of scour requires attention to many different aspects of routine management as well as the use of appropriate medicines and vaccines. However, ensuring that the calf receives enough good quality colostrum as soon as possible after birth is possibly the most significant action in scour prevention.

Colostrum is the calf’s sole means of defence against disease in the first few weeks after birth. It contains molecules called antibodies which attack and neutralise the scour pathogens in the calf’s gut, preventing the development of disease. While we can test for the overall quality of colostrum, it is not possible to test the amount of specific scour protection it offers. Vaccination against scour generally increases the level of scour antibody in the cow’s colostrum, and is an excellent idea if scour is at a high level on the farm.

In some cases where we are waiting for a vaccine regime to kick-in, or where we are still losing calves despite our best efforts, we need something to boost the protection of the valuable new-born calves as soon as they hit the ground. This is where Locatim finds its niche, Forte explains.

Locatim is a 60ml oral dose of concentrated scour antibodies extracted from high herd health cows in Switzerland. These cows are vaccinated against scour and the antibodies harvested from their first milking. The calf is dosed with one bottle of Locatim immediately after birth, flooding its gut with high levels of protective antibodies. The cow’s normal colostrum is given a short time (30 minutes) later.

Locatim has been trusted to offer excellent additional protection against scour for over 25 years, Forte says. Visit the company at stand F3 at UK Dairy Day to find out if Locatim could help in scour control on your farm. Locatim is a licensed veterinary medicine and is available through veterinary practices and some merchant outlets.

Read more livestock news