Newsletter

North Park Veterinary Group

Farm Animal Newsletter

Locotim Colostrum

Scour is caused by both bacterial and viral infection.   The majority of infections are caused by E.Coli, Rotavirus and Coronaviruses.   These organisms are opportunistic with calves nearly twice as likely to have diarrhoea in wet conditions and more than three times as likely when they are housed in groups.   Unlike other species, the placenta of the cow does not allow the passage of immune protection  to the calf.   This can leave the calf in a vulnerable state in the early stages of life.  When you know of or suspect deficiencies in colostrum quality or quantity, Locatim can help. Locatim is a highly concentrated dose of lactoserum portion of colostrums and is obtained from donor animals vaccinated against E.Coli, rotavirus and coronavirus.   The donor cows are guaranteed to be free from EBL, Tuberculosis, Brucellosis, Paratuberculosis, IBR/IPV, BVD, Parvovirus, Adenovirus and BSE. Locatim contains specific and standardised antibodies to E.Coli. Locatim is the only licensed colostrums treatment proven to reduce mortality in the calf.  

Colostrum should be given as soon as the calf receptive, within the first 4 hours after birth and no later than 12 hours after birth.

Locatim helps provide essential  protection against neonatal diarrhoea.

Nematodirosis

Nematodirosis is usually seen in young lambs and is characterised by an acute onset of profuse watery diarrhoea, lethargy, abdominal pain, rapid weight loss, dehydration and sudden deaths.

It can result in high number of lamb mortalities and stunts growth of many more.

This is a particularly nasty disease in lambs.

The life cycle and transmission of nematodirosis differs from that of the other important sheep parasitic worms. Nematodirosis can take up to a year. The infective Larvae will survive in freezing and low temperatures. Larvae in the eggs dropped on the pasture by lambs develop and then hatch the following spring, infecting the subsequent lamb crop.

Before they can hatch the eggs have to undergo a period of cold weather followed by warmer temperatures of 10°C or more.   If such conditions occur over a short period of time, this can trigger a mass hatch just when young lambs are starting to graze and the result can be devastating.  The disease can strike quickly but timing is likely to vary in the UK. In the warmer south, it may occur from March to May.

Because the damage is done by large numbers of larvae that are not yet producing eggs, faecal egg counts cannot be used to monitor the need to treat.

Farmers must act on the basis of risk assessment and advice on the level of challenge in their area.

ASSESSING THE RISKS:

¨ Lambs grazing pasture that carried lambs the previous year

¨ A sudden, late cold snap which is followed by a period of warm weather

¨ Lambs that are old enough to be eating significant amounts of grass (six to 12 weeks)

¨ Groups where there is also likely to be a challenge from coccididosis

¨ Lambs that are under other stresses e.g. triplets, fostered on young or older ewes.

Treatment

If farmers feel their lambs are at risk and they need to treat for Nematodiris, then we advise to use a white (B) drench.

These are highly effective against  this parasite and suitable for young lambs.  There is no proven resistance to BZs in this species of worm which means they can be used even where BZ resistance in other worms is confirmed, reducing the selection pressure put on the other two groups of wormers.

Sarah Madden

We are glad to say that Sarahs arm is mending well. Sarah has been coming into work at North Tawton to deal with all the queries and paperwork that needs to be done, so is available to discuss cases if any one would like to ring.