Coccidiosis Preventative Treatments For Calves

GiantPencil

Hi Folks,

Have had my 4-7 month old calves get Coccidiosis nearly every summer and it really sets them back. I'm pretty good at spotting it and treating it when it comes on but have heard there's a treatment you can give calves before they go out that helps prevent it. Not sure if it's a oral dose or a pour on and can't remember the name of the product. Has anyone used something to help prevent it?
Cheers,
GP

Mooooo

Vecoxan or baycox bovis would be two oral doses. Baycox better I think but dearer. If feeding meal you can get it with decox in it. I used it last year and found it good

GiantPencil

Vecoxan, that was the brand I'd heard! Will look into Baycox Bovis too. Thanks! Reckon I'll just dose the calves the week before they go out and go from there

Pidae.m

Our vet told us baycox at a day old and again in 6 weeks time. 15ml. Has worked very well the last 5/6 years

whelan2

Pidae.m wrote: »

Our vet told us baycox at a day old and again in 6 weeks time. 15ml. Has worked very well the last 5/6 years

They dont have coccidiosis when they are born though. They wouldnt get it until they are at least over 10 days old. I used to give vecixan when they were born and again when they were 10 days old, vet said I was wasting my time and money

Justjens

Used to get cases here regularly and vet advised using Vecoxan at three to four weeks of age as a prevention. I now use a generic dose on all the calves and, touch wood, haven't had a case for three years.

https://www.hyperdrug.co.uk/Tolracol-50mg_ml-Oral-Suspension-for-PigsCattle-Sheep/productinfo/TOLRACOL/

€120 odd per litre from my vet, I've also come across it online, and used at a rate of 15ml/50kg.

Pidae.m

whelan2 wrote: »

They dont have coccidiosis when they are born though. They wouldnt get it until they are at least over 10 days old. I used to give vecixan when they were born and again when they were 10 days old, vet said I was wasting my time and money

Our vet said on paper it should not work but in real life it does. I've seen a dramatic decreases in cases here. Only going off my own experience but I understand where your coming from. Friend of mine is plagued with it & he won't listen to me because his vet said he would be wasting his money

GiantPencil

I've only noticed it during the summer here. Cattle are left out between late March & late April and always around the August Bank Holiday some calf(around 4-6 months old) tends to get it, you can smell it off them as soon as you get near them too I find. Once you treat one and they're just about over it another would get the symptoms then so I'm trying to nip this in the bud altogether.

Lizard_Moon

Quote about Vecoxan from a few years ago-Ronan Kilcommons Elanco rep
He explained:“Once the initial risks of nutritional scour and viral diseases have passed, a common scour threat in calves is coccidiosis. This one-celled parasite can have a devastating impact on growth of young stock and consequently on profits. Fortunately, the animals raise immunity to this organism but unless the systems are in place to allow this to happen, coccidia can overgrow and cause serious damage to the gut lining.

“Timing of treatment and management of the environment are essential to combat this disease. The parasite has a 3 week lifecycle and during this time can replicate from one organism to 16 million. The organism is ingested by eating oocysts from faeces. Therefore reducing contamination of feeding and drinking troughs can reduce the burden of disease considerably. Clean bedding and footbaths between pens can also assist in the reduction of transfer of the coccidia.”

Ronan went on to point that treatment must coincide with exposure to the disease to be effective long term, as the animal’s own immunity needs to recognise the organism and be able to raise its own immune response when it is challenged again. Colostrum antibodies provide protection for up to 3-4 weeks and then wane. It is only after this that the animal’s own immune system can react.

He added:“Treatment is usually targeted at 4 – 6 weeks of age, to ensure exposure and subsequent immunity to develop before the next 3 week lifecycle attacks the gut. If the organism is allowed to go untreated, it may result in damage to the gut lining. This can take up to 4 weeks to recover. The consequence is that any food ingested is not absorbed at an optimal rate and will show up in growth targets being set back by a similar length of time, thus increasing feed, labour and veterinary costs.

“Large numbers of eggs can accumulate in the dung directly adjacent to feeders. As a result, there is merit in moving a creep feeder to different locations within a field as the grazing season continues. What’s more, if coccidiosis rears its head with early spring born calves, it is likely to become a bigger problem again with animals born later in the season. This is because of the build-up of egg numbers on the farm.”

Lizard_Moon

Obviously the level of exposure to disease and hygiene management on every farm is different. As the calving season goes on the environmental contamination with coccidiosis can overcome the protection the calf chould get from its colostrum. Not a simple disease but as with all calf scours hygiene and colostrum play a major role

_Brian

whelan2 wrote: »

They dont have coccidiosis when they are born though. They wouldnt get it until they are at least over 10 days old. I used to give vecixan when they were born and again when they were 10 days old, vet said I was wasting my time and money

So, do you just give one dose at 10 days, or do you still give two doses starting at 10 days and then a second one.

We will be looking at getting hex calves in over the next two weeks and looking at hitting them with vecoxan when they arrive, I’m just not sure if I should do them again after two/three weeks.

whelan2

I do them with bovicox when debudding. It's a one shot dose

The man in red and black

_Brian wrote: »

So, do you just give one dose at 10 days, or do you still give two doses starting at 10 days and then a second one.

We will be looking at getting hex calves in over the next two weeks and looking at hitting them with vecoxan when they arrive, I’m just not sure if I should do them again after two/three weeks.

Every farm is different. If you know the timing of when it usually sickens your animals you vet should be able to advise you on the proper time to treat. It's one of the most time specific diseases out there. Very easy to get it wrong!

patsy_mccabe

I used to get the odd bad case of coccidiosis in young suckler calves, but none since I started using vecoxan. First sign of mucus in the dung and they get done. I think the best time for first dose is around 10 days to 2 weeks old. I get cases here before they're a month old if they are not done.

Good loser

Justjens wrote: »

Used to get cases here regularly and vet advised using Vecoxan at three to four weeks of age as a prevention. I now use a generic dose on all the calves and, touch wood, haven't had a case for three years.

https://www.hyperdrug.co.uk/Tolracol-50mg_ml-Oral-Suspension-for-PigsCattle-Sheep/productinfo/TOLRACOL/

€120 odd per litre from my vet, I've also come across it online, and used at a rate of 15ml/50kg.

I wonder is your pricing there correct?

The ad says a litre costs £182.00 and then you need to send them a prescription.

1 litre of Vecoxan costs around €240 to my knowledge.

tanko

Good loser wrote: »

I wonder is your pricing there correct?

The ad says a litre costs £182.00 and then you need to send them a prescription.

1 litre of Vecoxan costs around €240 to my knowledge.

1 litre of Vecoxan is €139 on Agridirect.

patsy_mccabe

Magenta Direct sell it too. I buy from them.

Mooooo

Don't have the price of the decox in the ration, at the minute but if feeding meal to calves it works, used it last year with no dose given

tellmeabit

GiantPencil wrote:

Have had my 4-7 month old calves get Coccidiosis nearly every summer and it really sets them back. I'm pretty good at spotting it and treating it when it comes on but have heard there's a treatment you can give calves before they go out that helps prevent it. Not sure if it's a oral dose or a pour on and can't remember the name of the product. Has anyone used something to help prevent it? Cheers, GP

What are signs of it?

tanko

tellmeabit wrote: »

What are signs of it?

Scour with blood in it is usually the first sign.

patsy_mccabe

tanko wrote: »

Scour with blood in it is usually the first sign.

I think you get a clear slime in the dung before you see any blood. I could be wrong on that, but that's what I suspect.

tellmeabit

havent spotted yet, normally nearly all calve outside, but this year nearly all calved in so fingers crossed. all would be out by now too, but no fert out so going to be in another while...

GiantPencil

What I'd always noticed was a load of loose matted scutter either side of their tail, would comb it off the first time but if it was back again the next day and there was a smell off them I'd usually put them in a pen and watch them ****e, would always be loose and have specks of blood in it as well.

Good loser

Good loser wrote: »

I wonder is your pricing there correct?

The ad says a litre costs £182.00 and then you need to send them a prescription.

1 litre of Vecoxan costs around €240 to my knowledge.

My mistake there.

The €240 was for 2.5 litre not 1 litre.

That makes the £182 for a litre very overpriced,

tellmeabit

GiantPencil wrote:

What I'd always noticed was a load of loose matted scutter either side of their tail, would comb it off the first time but if it was back again the next day and there was a smell off them I'd usually put them in a pen and watch them ****e, would always be loose and have specks of blood in it as well.

Haven't seen any blood on them. But couple of them have pale greenish sh1t and a fair smell off it. They are lively out. Have access to the yard.

patsy_mccabe

Had a calf today with really bad blood scour. He's 6 weeks old and I had him done at 13 days old with 20cc of Vecoxan. He was the youngest of the batch I did at the time.
I wonder if I had done him say at 4 weeks, would he have got it. Jeez, he was passing almost pure blood. Seems healthy enough though.

Gave him another 40cc of vecoxan today? Would he want something else?

whelan2

patsy_mccabe wrote: »

Had a calf today with really bad blood scour. He's 6 weeks old and I had him done at 13 days old with 20cc of Vecoxan. He was the youngest of the batch I did at the time.
I wonder if I had done him say at 4 weeks, would he have got it. Jeez, he was passing almost pure blood. Seems healthy enough though.

Gave him another 40cc of vecoxan today? Would he want something else?

Might be no harm to run it by the vet

tanko

patsy_mccabe wrote: »

Had a calf today with really bad blood scour. He's 6 weeks old and I had him done at 13 days old with 20cc of Vecoxan. He was the youngest of the batch I did at the time.
I wonder if I had done him say at 4 weeks, would he have got it. Jeez, he was passing almost pure blood. Seems healthy enough though.

Gave him another 40cc of vecoxan today? Would he want something else?

Along with the Vecoxan i always give one shot of Nuflor and half a sulpha powder sachet for two days. Always cured blood scour here.

Mooooo

I think for vecoxan to be preventative it needs to be given twice if I'm not mistaken? That's why the baycox bovis I'd dearer, only requires the one dose. Altho I think there is some generic version of it out now

whelan2

Mooooo wrote: »

I think for vecoxan to be preventative it needs to be given twice if I'm not mistaken? That's why the baycox bovis I'd dearer, only requires the one dose. Altho I think there is some generic version of it out now

It's only one dose now for vecoxan

patsy_mccabe

I was thinking of giving him the sulpha powders. I have them here. Cheers.

cacs

I had a calf with really bad scour. After the blood came bits of his guts. I had him written off. I treated him with vecoxan twice about two weeks apart. Sulpha 2 powders and bimistat. It took three weeks dosing twice a day. He was getting a full sulpha no 2 in the morning and bimistat in the evening. Definitely talk to your vet the sooner you get on top this the quicker it will be

greysides

patsy_mccabe wrote: »

Had a calf today with really bad blood scour. He's 6 weeks old and I had him done at 13 days old with 20cc of Vecoxan. He was the youngest of the batch I did at the time.
I wonder if I had done him say at 4 weeks, would he have got it. Jeez, he was passing almost pure blood. Seems healthy enough though.

Gave him another 40cc of vecoxan today? Would he want something else?

Too early. Usually about 3 weeks.

As said, sulpha powders to cure. Beware of overdosage, kidney failure. Also (as mentioned) pneumonia injection, and oral fluids.

Watch the others closely.

Lime Tree Farm

GiantPencil wrote: »

Hi Folks,

Have had my 4-7 month old calves get Coccidiosis nearly every summer and it really sets them back. I'm pretty good at spotting it and treating it when it comes on but have heard there's a treatment you can give calves before they go out that helps prevent it. Not sure if it's a oral dose or a pour on and can't remember the name of the product. Has anyone used something to help prevent it?
Cheers,
GP

At six months old, with a distinctive smell, could it possibly be salmonella. I have never noticed a smell from Coccidiosis, just bloody mucous in the faeces, in or around 21 days old. Do your calves have access to a stream or water course, that ducks are feeding and nesting alongside.

red bull

I find Tolracol vey good as a preventative

SuperTortoise

3 cases over the last week, have a few cases every year anywhere from 4 weeks to 6 months old get it. Driving me soft.

Is the general consensus to dose with Vecoxan? calves would be 4-6 weeks old at this stage, how do ye find it as a preventative?
Any difference using Bovicox?
Used cevazuril coxx kure last number of years as a preventative and treatment and still had a number of cases.

patsy_mccabe

I'm doing all mine with vecoxan at a month old, when I dehorn them and they also get the blackleg injection.

SuperTortoise

Am i too late dosing them at 6-7 weeks old? would you go in with a second dose after that? Thanks.

Lime Tree Farm

The Vet at the KT discussion group, said Blackleg vaccine for Suckler calves at 3 months old. Earlier than this the immunity received from the Dam prevents take up of the vaccine by suckler calves. Booster vaccine 4-6 weeks later.

patsy_mccabe

Lime Tree Farm wrote: »

The Vet at the KT discussion group, said Blackleg vaccine for Suckler calves at 3 months old. Earlier than this the immunity received from the Dam prevents take up of the vaccine by suckler calves. Booster vaccine 4-6 weeks later.

Jeez, nothing on the instructions about that. Says to do them from 2 weeks old and a second shot 6 weeks later.

Lime Tree Farm

patsy_mccabe wrote: »

Jeez, nothing on the instructions about that. Says to do them from 2 weeks old and a second shot 6 weeks later.

At the time I asked our own Vet about this, and he said the earlier at 2 weeks applied to Dairy calves.

It's over to Greysides now to adjudicate.

_Brian

We do calves with vecoxan when they arrive from the mart and again two weeks later.
This is our third year doing that and it seems to work.

Lime Tree Farm

Doing a bit of research today - it's welcome steady rain outside (Fair Weather Farmer)

Active ingredient is either Toltrazuril or Diclazuril in products for Coccidiosis.

Toltrazuril. (Approx 11 brand names listed for Calves - 63 Day withdrawal)
http://www.hpra.ie/homepage/veterinary/veterinary-medicines-information/find-a-medicine?query=Toltrazuril&field=ACTIVESUBSTANCES

Diclazuril – 2 listed brand names – 0 Day Withdrawal
http://www.hpra.ie/homepage/veterinary/veterinary-medicines-information/find-a-medicine?query=Diclazuril&field=ACTIVESUBSTANCES

AHI Leaflet
https://www.slaneyfarmers.com/documents/Bovine_Coccidiosis_the_facts_(002).pdf

Lime Tree Farm

Looking at my notes from 2011, when coccidiosis was first diagnosed here, calves were approx 6 weeks old at the time.

The Vet prescribed 8 ml IM Inj X 3 days Primidoxine (Trimethoprim), also Bimadine powders (1 powder each, divided into 3 and given one third once per day). After the fourth day - follow up with Vecoxan.

Not sure from memory whether it should have been one or the other, Primidoxine or Bimidine powders. Was definitely given a warning about long term kidney damage.

Contraindications: There is a warning on the Bimidine powder SPC leaflet that it is not to be used at the same time as anaesthetic of the procaine group. (My note - disbudding)

greysides

Lime Tree Farm wrote: »

At the time I asked our own Vet about this, and he said the earlier at 2 weeks applied to Dairy calves.

The delay in vaccinating suckler calves to three months old sounds logical enough when compared to sheep recommendations.
I don't see why anyone would want to vaccinate calves at two weeks old. From my experience, its usually its an older calf that gets hit.

Doing them going out or a little while before (with the first shot) would seem reasonable enough. Second shot with the first worm dose.

Mooooo

It is later in the year mine get hit, July August nearly. Calves on same ground Every year as outfarm too small for heifer group

Lime Tree Farm

Excellent explanation by Vet Kevin Meaney, Clonmel, which appeared in the Farmer's Journal some time ago.

https://www.xlvets.ie/sites/xlvets.ie/files/press-article-files/VetsColumn7Apr12.pdf

Sugarbowl

I have a calf not even a week old with coccidiosis. Had it in the spring. Gave the calf house a good clean out over the summer. First calf of the autumn and he has it. Anyone know what age I can give new born calves some kind of prevention treatment? Such as baycox or vecoxan. TIA

_Brian

Sugarbowl wrote: »

I have a calf not even a week old with coccidiosis. Had it in the spring. Gave the calf house a good clean out over the summer. First calf of the autumn and he has it. Anyone know what age I can give new born calves some kind of prevention treatment? Such as baycox or vecoxan. TIA

I thought a calf that age would have cover from the mothers antibodies. I thought I read that they would be covered up to 21 days.

tanko

A week old calf can't get coccidiosis, they have to be at least 20 days old to get it afaik. It must be something else.

whelan2

_Brian wrote: »

I thought a calf that age would have cover from the mothers antibodies. I thought I read that they would be covered up to 21 days.

Ye seems very young to have it.