|
|
Post by brightraven on Jan 8, 2020 5:02:50 GMT -6
First Defense is now available with antibodies that protect against rotavirus. I know TCRanch indicated on CT that she administers First Defense at birth. The older version of First Defense comes as a bolus with antibodies for Escherichia coli ( the K99 serovar) and Coronavirus. The new version of First Defense comes as a paste and is administered orally. The new version is expensive. If you do not suspect rotavirus as a pathogen at your farm, I would continue to use the older version. That is what I plan to do. You still may have scours. Scours can be caused by the bacterium - Salmonella.  |
|
|
|
Post by tillhill on Jan 8, 2020 5:52:37 GMT -6
First Defense is now available with antibodies that protect against rotavirus. I know TCRanch indicated on CT that she administers First Defense at birth. The older version of First Defense comes as a bolus with antibodies for Escherichia coli ( the K99 serovar) and Coronavirus. The new version of First Defense comes as a paste and is administered orally. The new version is expensive. If you do not suspect rotavirus as a pathogen at your farm, I would continue to use the older version. That is what I plan to do. You still may have scours. Scours can be caused by the bacterium - Salmonella. I got lazy this year and didn't get cows or heifers their Scour Boss 9 vaccine. Always have in past and give First Defense pill at birth. Never had trouble with scours. This year I am going to use TriShield (new version paste of First Defense) wish me luck! |
|
|
|
Post by brightraven on Jan 8, 2020 6:05:16 GMT -6
First Defense is now available with antibodies that protect against rotavirus. I know TCRanch indicated on CT that she administers First Defense at birth. The older version of First Defense comes as a bolus with antibodies for Escherichia coli ( the K99 serovar) and Coronavirus. The new version of First Defense comes as a paste and is administered orally. The new version is expensive. If you do not suspect rotavirus as a pathogen at your farm, I would continue to use the older version. That is what I plan to do. You still may have scours. Scours can be caused by the bacterium - Salmonella. I got lazy this year and didn't get cows or heifers their Scour Boss 9 vaccine. Always have in past and give First Defense pill at birth. Never had trouble with scours. This year I am going to use TriShield (new version paste of First Defense) wish me luck! Good luck. Remember, the TriShield is expensive. I have done a lot of reading on scours. It gets complicated. There are several causes of scours not related to pathogens. Such as "milk scours". Then there is scours that result from the evolution of the rumen as they transition to a solid diet. |
|
|
|
Post by tcranch on Jan 8, 2020 7:32:43 GMT -6
That reminds me, calving is just around the corner and I need to order more.
We did get scours last year but it was Raven's aforementioned rumen when they started to graze the new spring grass in addition to a freakish amount of rain. Even the cows were loose.
Which segues into . . . when we worked them in May I treated the calves that had it the worst with Tri Pectate, scour boluses for a few of them and against my better judgment, Dawn dishwashing liquid. Why? Because one of my crew has a degree in Animal Science and told us years ago one of his professors said it's essentially the same ingredients as scour boluses and highly effective, just a squirt in the mouth. Well, all calves treated with Dawn cleared right up. Truth or coincidence? Dunno and I'm still a little skeptical. That said, Dawn also makes a great OB lube in a pinch.
|
|
|
|
Post by highgrit on Jan 8, 2020 8:07:44 GMT -6
Every time I read something about preventative treatments in calves I realize how blessed we are to have a healthy cow herd. We lost one calf that was hipped locked at birth, and my wife bottle fed one for a couple of weeks last year that I had to treat with Draxxin for navel ill. IMO, big fat cows are sure pretty but not nearly as healthy as a toughened up properly vaccinated range cow.
|
|
|
|
Post by brightraven on Jan 8, 2020 8:11:30 GMT -6
Every time I read something about preventative treatments in calves I realize how blessed we are to have a healthy cow herd. We lost one calf that was hipped locked at birth, and my wife bottle fed one for a couple of weeks last year that I had to treat with Draxxin for navel ill. IMO, big fat cows are sure pretty but not nearly as healthy as a toughened up properly vaccinated range cow. Vince. It has been several years since I lost a calf. Knock on wood. But an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Keep in mind. I produce seedstock. They are valuable and losing one is like throwing 3 k down the drain. |
|
|
|
Post by highgrit on Jan 8, 2020 8:27:50 GMT -6
Only the strong survive to replicate themselves is a far better management plan for the commercial cattleman. IMO There's not doubt parents play a major role in the health of their offspring.
|
|
|
|
Post by brightraven on Jan 8, 2020 8:37:04 GMT -6
Only the strong survive to replicate themselves is a far better management plan for the commercial cattleman. IMO There's not doubt parents play a major role in the health of their offspring. I agree especially in a commercial operation. |
|
|
|
Post by tillhill on Jan 8, 2020 8:44:57 GMT -6
That reminds me, calving is just around the corner and I need to order more. We did get scours last year but it was Raven's aforementioned rumen when they started to graze the new spring grass in addition to a freakish amount of rain. Even the cows were loose. Which segues into . . . when we worked them in May I treated the calves that had it the worst with Tri Pectate, scour boluses for a few of them and against my better judgment, Dawn dishwashing liquid. Why? Because one of my crew has a degree in Animal Science and told us years ago one of his professors said it's essentially the same ingredients as scour boluses and highly effective, just a squirt in the mouth. Well, all calves treated with Dawn cleared right up. Truth or coincidence? Dunno and I'm still a little skeptical. That said, Dawn also makes a great OB lube in a pinch. It is expensive but regular First Defense pill is $7-9 a dose. Scour boss $4 dose and well time and effort to get cows in and if any of them get hurt or abort from stress that's expensive too. Only reason I worry is farm where I calve at is right next to our 7-14 month old dairy heifers. All run off from dairy heifers runs thru pasture too where they go once snow leaves. If I can eliminate scours and keep them healthy and growing they should survive the summer! I know all about scours, I am a dairy farmer for my day job. |
|
|
|
Post by tcranch on Jan 8, 2020 12:37:18 GMT -6
That reminds me, calving is just around the corner and I need to order more. We did get scours last year but it was Raven's aforementioned rumen when they started to graze the new spring grass in addition to a freakish amount of rain. Even the cows were loose. Which segues into . . . when we worked them in May I treated the calves that had it the worst with Tri Pectate, scour boluses for a few of them and against my better judgment, Dawn dishwashing liquid. Why? Because one of my crew has a degree in Animal Science and told us years ago one of his professors said it's essentially the same ingredients as scour boluses and highly effective, just a squirt in the mouth. Well, all calves treated with Dawn cleared right up. Truth or coincidence? Dunno and I'm still a little skeptical. That said, Dawn also makes a great OB lube in a pinch. It is expensive but regular First Defense pill is $7-9 a dose. Scour boss $4 dose and well time and effort to get cows in and if any of them get hurt or abort from stress that's expensive too. Only reason I worry is farm where I calve at is right next to our 7-14 month old dairy heifers. All run off from dairy heifers runs thru pasture too where they go once snow leaves. If I can eliminate scours and keep them healthy and growing they should survive the summer! I know all about scours, I am a dairy farmer for my day job. I've been using First Defense for probably 5 years now and it's a game changer, rarely have scours from e coli or coronavirus. We stopped vaccinating the cows after spring calving segued into year 'round. I culled hard and back to spring only but in my world it's just easier to administer the bolus than round up all the cows prior to calving. The best price I found last year was from PBS Animal Health but had to pay shipping so prob the equivalent of ordering from Valley Vet or Jeffers. |
|
