September, 2002
"STARTED" CALVES NEED CARE TOO
By: Russ Schnepper, D.V.M.
Calf raisers may buy "started" calves that are six weeks or more old to avoid the labor required when starting with babies. It is true the calves are through the scouring stage and have learned to drink from a bucket, so less labor is required. However the old problem of Pasteurella multocida pneumonia needs to be prevented to be successful.
Pasteurella multocida is a normal inhabitant of the upper respiratory tract, sinuses, etc, of all bovine animals. So this is not a matter of preventing exposure. The normal scenario is the animal is stressed, the Pasteurella takes 14 days to incubate into large numbers of bacteria and move down into the lung, causing pneumonia. The calf may not show symptoms until 14 days or longer. The pneumonia may progress rapidly, or it may be a slow process of gradually destroying the lung. The calf may not show symptoms until enough of the lung is destroyed to cause respiratory distress and then treatment is not very effective.
The pneumonia can be prevented by interferon, produced by the calf's own immune system. My old way was to vaccinate upon arrival into the barn with a modified live virus vaccine and then repeat again at 12 days. The pneumonia was effectively prevented by the dose of interferon produced upon arrival and again at 12 days, just prior to the end of the 14 day incubation period. I feel the interferon that is produced by stimulating the immune system with a modified live virus vaccine will only last approximately 72 hours. Whereas Immunoboost stimulates the production of interferon that lasts for seven days. Studies show Immunoboost used on light weight Holstein steers reduces the number of sick calves, when compared with controls, by 24% to as high as 62% in one study. The average daily gain was also increased by 14%. Based upon this information and the success we have had with Immunoboost, my current program for started calves (over five weeks of age) is: 1. Immunoboost and Selenium & Vitamin E upon arrival. 2. Vaccinate with a modified live virus vaccine at 12 days into the barn. 3. If your calves already have a respiratory problem upon arrival, do the prescribed program and also medicate with a sulfa (Uniprim, Albon, SMZ's, etc.). The sulfas are secreted into the lung and act as an expectorant, and a cough medicine. The tetracyclines are not as effective as the sulfas, especially in the milk.
I recommend this procedure regardless of how many modified live vaccines have been given prior to shipment. A vaccine for Pasteurella multocida pneumonia can be helpful, but is no panacea. Endovac bovi a couple weeks prior to shipment is beneficial. Good nutrition, especially Vitamin E and Selenium, is extremely important.
Holstein heifer raisers may want to repeat the Immunoboost at seven days after arrival in addition to the vaccine.
Remember - nine out of ten sick Holstein calves over two weeks of age have Pasteurella multocida pneumonia.
Contact information for ordering information and questions about our products:
Schnepper International, Inc.
3162 County B, Platteville, WI 53818
608-348-6141, Fax: 608-348-6146
www.calfdoctor.com email: rschnep@mhtc.net