Calf Talk

September, 2004

Volume 10, No. 9

"EPIC" - A NEW CALF SCOUR TREATMENT

By: Russ Schnepper, D. V. M.

Epic is an Egg Protein In Complexes. Epic is produced by vaccinating chickens with 13 specific antigens that represent pathogens involved in calf scours. The hen puts the specific immunoglobulins (IgY’s) and non-specific cofactors into the eggs. Both the whites and yolks of the egg are processed into a very palatable product to be fed in milk, milk replacer, electrolyte solution, or water as a treatment for calf scours.

The hens are vaccinated for Clostridium perfringens. This is the primary "bug" in toxic calves. I am very hopeful this product will work for treating clostridial problems. As the clostridia are in the lumen of the gut, vaccinating the calf does not work and neither does Immunoboost. The antibodies have to be in the lumen of the gut to kill the clostridia. By feeding the Epic, we are putting the antibodies where they need to be. I have a few calf raisers using the Epic for Clostridial infections and the early reports are all positive. However, it is very difficult to set up an experiment to prove the Epic works on clostridia. We are relying on the testimonials of other calf raisers.

Epic is formulated with egg proteins, electrolytes, MOS (yeast extract) for binding toxins, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Enterococcus faecium (good probiotics), sodium bicarbonate (buffering agent against acidosis), L-Glutamine (an amino acid for repair of intestinal villi), charcoal (derived from coconut, to absorb toxins), and dextrose as an energy source. These are all recognized ingredients proven to be of critical importance for the scouring calf.

Epic is not intended as a colostrum substitute and should not be fed to a calf less than 24 hours of age. We do not think it advantageous to have charcoal and probiotics crossing thru the gut wall. So we wait for gut closure and then use the Epic.

The directions on the bucket call for using ½ dose as a preventive. However, I do not recommend it that way. Use Epic for treatment. When the calf shows signs of scours, give one scoop (20 grams) in the milk each feeding for three days or until the calf is well. It is a good idea to feed Epic one feeding after the scours has stopped.

We have several raisers using the Epic and giving us feed back. We will obtain much more data in a very short time. I am not quite ready to proclaim Epic as our answer to scours that are not controlled by Immunoboost. But I may be after we get more results.

Epic is produced by Bioniche, the manufacturers of Immunoboost. An Epic for foals has been in use for awhile with excellent success at controlling scours in new born foals. The foal product is tubed to the foal shortly after birth. Foal Epic does not contain charcoal nor probiotics.

I really think Epic will prove to be extremely helpful with our clostridial scours and toxic calves, an excellent complement to the Immunoboost regimen.

Contact information for ordering information and questions about our products:

Schnepper International, Inc.

3210 County B, Platteville, WI 53818

608-348-6141, Fax: 608-348-6146