Squirts got you down? Your guide to managing calf scours this season
We’ve all experienced the feeling that arises after eating an extra spicy curry, that week old bit of roast chicken, or treating yourself to an ice cream on a hot summer’s day despite your severe lactose intolerance. Unfortunately for calves, they are one of nature’s most susceptible targets when it comes to scours. It can be disheartening and exhausting to see your animals scouring, especially towards the end of a busy calving season. Never fear! FVM is here to help with this all-encompassing guide to managing calf scours and getting you and your calves back on the teat.
The culprits
Common culprits in the first few weeks of life:
- Rotavirus
- Cryptosporidium
- E.coli
- Coronavirus
Later down the track:
- Salmonella
- Coccidia
- Yersinia
Testing
Taking 3 to 5 separate faecal samples from your sick calves and dropping them off at the clinic is a quick, easy way to pinpoint the culprit. We can test for all four major scours bugs and usually have answers back to you before the end of the day.
Alternatively, call the clinic if you’d like to see the friendly face of your favourite veterinarian on farm to take samples for you, and give you some real-time wisdom for scour management.
The crux of the leaky butt
Scours take a big toll on staff and calves. They eat up time you don’t have and can be physically and emotionally draining. To make it simple, here are the principles of managing the leaky butt:
Electrolytes
- Small but mighty, electrolytes are the unsung hero of calf survival when it comes to scours. Alternating electrolytes and milk at feeding times is the mainstay of treatment for sick calves. Aim for three feeds of electrolytes in total and always leave at least three hours in between feeding milk and electrolytes.
Melovem
- In terms of drugs, Melovem is the best choice for scouring calves. One jab lasts three days and plays an important role in controlling fevers and managing pain.
Scour Cocktails
- We have a few great products in the shop to aid in prevention and treatment of scours:
o Rotagen – easily mixed into milk at feeding time. Helps with prevention and treatment of scours caused by Rotavirus and Crypto.
o Exagen – Binds to Crypto within the gut to reduce the amount available to cause disease. Can be mixed in with milk.
o Kryptade – A mixture of Exagen and electrolytes. A good treatment for calves that are sick with Crypto. Must be fed separately to milk.
Let’s talk about prevention
Separation
· A good sick pen is worth its weight in gold when scours come knocking. The ideal sick pen is:
Far away from healthy pens.
In a ‘low traffic’ area to reduce opportunities for contamination of people and equipment.
Has solid walls to prevent calves communicating with neighbouring pens.
Feed and manage the sick pen last. Use dedicated equipment for sick calves. If this is not possible, thoroughly clean equipment with disinfectant and hot water after each use.
Disinfect your shoes and clothes, and always wash your hands after dealing with sick calves
Disinfection
Disinfectants are not all created equal when it comes to scours. Crypto is a stubborn, sticky pathogen that standard disinfectants often miss. Vetsan Super Concentrate is available in our shop and proven to combat Crypto and all major scour-causing agents.
When to use disinfectants:
- Before calves come into the shed.
- Once in the shed, spray every 7-10 days.
- After a group of calves leave the shed.
Watch your back!
- Scour bugs don’t discriminate when it comes to selecting their next victim – here are a few ways to avoid forming an anxious attachment to your toilet seat:
o Wear gloves when feeding and working with calves
o Wash your hands thoroughly when you leave the calf shed.
o Avoid eating, drinking, and smoking while working with calves.
o Disinfect frequently used items such as your phone when you finish work.
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