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Prevention is the key to scoursScours is the leading cause of sickness in newborn calves. If producers are not careful, scours can take a toll on their calves and their bottom line. Scours is a disease caused by a variety of infectious and noninfectious pathogens, making it difficult to treat or control. Calves usually become sick within the first 24 hours of birth. While some calves can recover through treatment, scours treatments are costly and time consuming. Thus, prevention before birth is the key to protecting calves from this disease. The following tips from Dr. John Rodgers, DVM Pfizer Animal Health, will help keep your calves healthy and help protect them from their leading cause of sickness. Scours prevention tips: --Cows and first-calf heifers should be vaccinated with two doses of a reputable vaccine pre-calving. It is important to always follow label directions to accurately vaccinate at the correct time for both doses. --It is important to meet the pregnant cow and heifer's nutrient requirements. --Reduce stress as much as possible during delivery. --Pens or pasture should be kept clean and dry during calving and post-calving. --If an operation has scouring calves, they should be isolated from the healthy animals to avoid contaminating the rest of the herd. --Work with a local veterinarian in designing a scours management program that fits in with the overall health protocols of the operation. 11/3/08 Date: 10/24/08
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