Coccidioisis and Cryptospiridia in Calves
Economically, coccidiosis is the single most significant disease affecting livestock production worldwide. Coccidiosis causes characteristic bloody diarrhoea in calves, and subsequently results in poor weight gains. Cryptospiridia, a closely related protozoa, is also a common cause of infectious scours in NZ calves.
Protozoa (single celled organisms) such as coccidia and cryptospiridia are difficult to kill at certain stages of the life cycle, especially the oocyst. The outer layer of the oocyst is highly resistant to most disinfectants, but Oo-cide’s unique two compound formula produces a gas that is able to penetrate the dense outer wall and rupture the oocyst.
Colostrum contains no maternal antibodies to coccidia and cryptospiridia parasites, so calves must develop natural immunity. Until this immunity is developed young calves are highly susceptible to ingesting large numbers of oocysts. Severity of infection in the calf is directly related to the number of oocysts ingested.
Disinfecting with Oo-cide means the number of oocysts in the environment is reduced to such a low level that disease challenge is minimised and natural immunity can be developed.
Calves fed whole milk or many calf milk replacers (CMRs) are not protected against coccidiosis until they are consuming 600g of feed containing an anti-coccidial such as Bovatec or Rumensin, so NRM First Milk should be added to the milk until calves are 3-4 weeks old.
Power mik and Phaze 14 CMRs, and NRM calf feeds contain Bovatec to fight coccidiosis, so addition of NRM First Milk is not required.
Rotavirus was a common cause of infectious scours last year.
Virkon S was the virucide of choice in the recent UK foot and mouth epidemic. It is proven in the field worldwide, as Virkon S kills viruses on-farm even in dirty conditions.
Common disinfectants such as Savlon and quats (eg Antec’s DSC 1000 or Varicide) have reasonable bacterial properties, but lack activity against viruses in a farm situation (with an organic challenge) and will not kill many viruses commonly found in animal species.
Protect your investment in calves by using Virkon S to kill viruses on your farm.
If calves or lambs contract nutritional, bacterial, or viral scours feed electrolytes to restore normal fluid balance. New generation anti scour remedies such as Biopect not only rehydrate scouring animals, but also reduce pH, add a protective coating to inflamed intestinal walls and bind disease causing bacteria to flush them from the gut. Suitable for adding to milk or water, Biopect is a natural product that has no withholding period.
For bacterial scours (eg Salmonella, E. Coli) your vet may recommend a sulphonamide or antibiotics treatment following diagnosis, but such treatments are not effective for nutritional, viral (eg rotavirus, coronavirus) or protozoal (cryptosporidia, coccidiosis) scours.
