scour vaccine for calving cows

[itsintheblood]

Evening all, we all ways have a few little outbreaks of scour in the calving shed , but this spring was really bad, managed to pick up the ecoli k99

now I realise that there was several factors to why it was so bad this year, not least having to calve in a shed when normally trying to do as much outside as poss

have spoken to my vet and would like to try either rotavac or lactovac both would need 2 start up injections then a yearly booster, the lactovac is half price of the other

is there any pros or cons with either and what are peoples experience using them, I am not expecting a miracle cure but would like a easier calving with out the extra workload

 

[Cowski]

We use Rotavec for 1 in 3 cows then make sure all calves get a feed of this colostrum. Having a look again now at it seems to be silly money- nearly £10/cow. I would say you will see a benefit though and if it works it is money well spent.

 

[Dafydd]

I think Rotavec Corona only requires one annual dose, but as Cowski says, best part of £10/dose.

 

[Downtrodden Dad]

I would go for Rotavec through choice, as it is only one dose. £10 is nothing compared to a dead calf. Last year I lost 4 in a week with Rotaviras not much fun I can tell you. I had done the cows but these calved late and we thought the vaccine only lasted so long.Had trouble this autumn getting hold of any bit scary when you ring the vet to order it to be told none available.

 

[Cowcalf]

Locatim is aimed at Ecoli problems , just 60ml bottle given to calf at birth,POM so need a vets prescription. Fivemiletown pharmacy the cheapest I have found 16 GBP a dose.
I give a dose to anything I am not 100% sure had enough colostrum, sometimes spilt a bottle, never seen scours in five years at least.

 

[Thick Farmer]

I used Rotavec Corona this spring after losing 18 calves in a row.

Also turned the cows out so they weren't in the shed anymore, but after around a week we didn't loose any more calves with diahorea.

Did a deal with the vet and I think it was around £7.50 a cow.

 

[le bon paysan]

I think Rotavec Corona only requires one annual dose, but as Cowski says, best part of £10/dose.

Correct, one dose only. It may seem expensive when you buy it but it will be really fudging expensive when you don't!!

 

[DaveGrohl]

We've used Rotavec Corona for years, only one dose required but expensive. Still use it on calving heifers for that reason but dry cows get Lactovac booster now cos it's cheaper and they only need one dose annually if they've had rotavec originally.

 

[Spartacus]

Another Rotovac user here, we used a paste for calves one year buy it was useless and we lost 7 calves, not going to risk not using rotovac again, one of those calves being live would of paid for it all that we used too.

 

[itsintheblood]

We've used Rotavec Corona for years, only one dose required but expensive. Still use it on calving heifers for that reason but dry cows get Lactovac booster now cos it's cheaper and they only need one dose annually if they've had rotavec originally.

that's what I was thinking of doing using rotavac for the first time then swapping to lactovac as its only £4.40
can anyone see a problem with this?

 

[itsintheblood]

sounds like all of you would not go back to not using a vaccine? Am I going to see a improvement for spending £900 on rotavac please bare in mind that my sucklers are a all beef native breed ,so wouldn't be as milky as some of you running dairy crosses

 

[Spartacus]

sounds like all of you would not go back to not using a vaccine? Am I going to see a improvement for spending £900 on rotavac please bare in mind that my sucklers are a all beef native breed ,so wouldn't be as milky as some of you running dairy crosses

but if we lost 7 out of about 50-60 cows then what will you loose out of 90? surely £900 is better spent than lost on say 9 or 10 dead calves? On the other vaccine, I've never thought of using it.

 

[Thick Farmer]

sounds like all of you would not go back to not using a vaccine? Am I going to see a improvement for spending £900 on rotavac please bare in mind that my sucklers are a all beef native breed ,so wouldn't be as milky as some of you running dairy crosses

What difference does it make if the dams are milky or not? If the calf dies you've got a barren cow to sell or have to buy another calf (which will probably also die). Both are more expensive than vaccinating.

 

[Cowcalf]

vaccinating only works if every calf gets adequate colostrum before ingesting bugs

 

[scholland]

that's what I was thinking of doing using rotavac for the first time then swapping to lactovac as its only £4.40
can anyone see a problem with this?

Think the cheaper vaccine has a shorter period before calving in which it had to be administered off that makes sense, less flexible.

 

[le bon paysan]

I think that Rotavec is better for Sucklers as it's one dose and has the longest cover. Lactovac , and Trivacton which need 2 shots, are better suited to Milkers where you are more sure of the calving date.

 

[Frantic Farmer]

Just bringing this thread back to life for a moment. re Rotavec can anyone tell me the length of cover you get once the cow is injected . cheers in anticipation !

 

[scholland]

http://www.noahcompendium.co.uk/MSD...Emulsion_for_injection_for_cattle/-34664.html

 

[dinderleat]

12 to 3 weeks

 

[bovine]

Think of it - 3 weeks to 3 months before calving.