'New generation’ Anti-Scour Remedy For Calves and Lambs
With an increasing number of dairy farms selling colostrum, and the high incidence of calf scours caused by crytosporidia and rotavirus last season, many dairy farmers and beef rearers will be looking to prevent and treat calf scours this spring.
Historically calf rearers used straight electrolytes to rehydrate scouring calves, and resort to veterinary sulphonamide drugs for treatment. But traditional electrolytes mean withdrawal from milk, resulting in costly weight loss. And whilst sulphonamides are effective against bacteria, they don’t act against more common protozoa and viruses (eg cryptospiridia and rotavirus) or nutritional scours. Plus withholding periods mean sulphonamide drugs cannot be fed to bobby calves.
Curative treatments for viral scours caused by crytosporidia and rotavirus are not available, hence good hygiene practices - using disinfectants with proven efficacy against viruses (eg Virkon S) or coccidia and crytosporidia spores (eg Oo-cide) - and use of modern products that treat the symptoms are the best alternative. New generation anti-scour remedies such as Biopect both rehydrate scouring calves, and treat the symptoms caused by both dietary problems and infectious gut infections. And Biopect costs little more than traditional electrolytes.
Biopect’s effectiveness is achieved through a four way attack against the causes and symptoms of scouring in calves and lambs;
• Special fibres called pectins bind to disease causing bacteria and
flush them from the gut
• Citric and ascorbic acids restore the right pH levels to promote
beneficial gut microflora
• Electrolytes help restore normal fluid balance to the calf
• Soluble pectins coat the gut wall leaving a protective coat and
slowing the passage of food
Modern anti-scour remedies mean calves with mild scours can remain on milk or calf milk replacer during treatment. They may also be used at half dose to prevent scours when calves are undergo stress from transportation, new or dirty environment, or diet changes. Or even mixed with water and fed alongside vet drugs for severe bacterial scours.
Europe’s ultimate scour prevention and treatment product is now available from NRM New Zealand in handy 1kg, 2.5kg and 5kg tubs. A registered low risk animal remedy, Biopect is effective, completely natural, has no withholding periods, and can be added to milk or calf milk replacer.