Dosing Calves

jmurf100

I have calves this year for the first time in a few years & need a bit of advice.

What do I need to dose the calves for?
What do ye dose with?
When do ye dose them?

bbam

I wouldn't dose the with anything until they are out at pasture for 4-6 weeks. Then we usually use the oral drench during the summer.

Our vet recommends letting them out to get some level of exposure before dosing, this allows their immunity to get going..

She recommends dose as a responce rather than a regular dosing routeine. this encourages more immune reaction with the dose as a support..

jmurf100

Thanks for the reply bbam.

Is there anything they should be vacinated for?

bbam

I'd be thinking blackleg if it's something you see on your farm.

Also for calves make sure your fencing is good. We train them to the electric fence in the yard so they know to keep clear of it when out.

saranac1

I usually give bimectin under skin to every calf at 6 wks out on grass, it reacts to worms greatlyand kills them off quicker

kevthegaff

definitely blackleg as it covers other strains i think, dose for worms 6 weeks after been outside, maybe mineral dose for lighter animals(upto yourself)

whelan1

what age are they, would they need vecoxan

bbam

saranac1 wrote: »

I usually give bimectin under skin to every calf at 6 wks out on grass, it reacts to worms greatlyand kills them off quicker

Just a side note on the injections rather than oral dose. If an animal has signs of a heavy lung infestation then the oral dose is easier on the animal.
The faster action of the injection causes allot of dead worms in the lungs, which can lead to cases of pneumonia.

jmurf100

whelan1 wrote: »

what age are they, would they need vecoxan

The oldest is only 2 weeks old yet.

jmurf100

kevthegaff wrote: »

definitely blackleg as it covers other strains i think, dose for worms 6 weeks after been outside, maybe mineral dose for lighter animals(upto yourself)

Never had any blackleg here, would they still need doing for it?

What do you give for it?

munkus

jmurf100 wrote: »

Never had any blackleg here, would they still need doing for it?

What do you give for it?

http://www.magentadirect.ie/proddetail.php?prod=MVE0037&cat=22

Give them this every year, covers blackleg and a load more.

jmurf100

munkus wrote: »

http://www.magentadirect.ie/proddetail.php?prod=MVE0037&cat=22

Give them this every year, covers blackleg and a load more.

The data sheet for this stuff says: Shelf life after first opening the immediate packaging: 8 hours

Surely it should last longer than this! do ye use it after this or buy another bottle?

munkus

jmurf100 wrote: »

The data sheet for this stuff says: Shelf life after first opening the immediate packaging: 8 hours

Surely it should last longer than this! do ye use it after this or buy another bottle?

Yeah, I know. I wouldn't risk sellotaping it and trowing it in the fridge. I end up wasting a good bit of it every year considering you can only buy it in 50 or 100 ml bottles. I usually have about 25 to do, so 1 50ml bottle the first application and then another 6 weeks later (I think....)

We're spring calving and normally wait until July/August to give them this vaccine. Maybe it should be earlier. Ould lad saw a case or two of blackleg in the 70's and we've always done it since.

TEAT SQUEEZER

i always make a point of dosing young calves 3 wks after being left out and help them build up immunity later on with a greater interval .. that first dose is the vital one imo