Rotagen Datasheet
How Rotagen works
The technology, originally developed at Gifu University in Japan, has been developed over the past 30 years and is well proven.
The antibodies are contained within dried egg powder that has been processed from the eggs of hens vaccinated with the inactivated virus of particular serotypes of Rotavirus. The powder process ensures that the included antibodies remain potent.
A range of egg powders – having specific antibodies for Rotavirus 6 and 10, Corona virus, Salmonella, E. coli and Cryptosporidium – are mixed into combinations for specific on-farm protection needs.
On-farm requirements are based on the advice and recommendations of your veterinary surgeon. It is considered essential that on-farm consultations and faeces testing be undertaken to determine which combination of antibodies are likely to effectively control and outbreak of calf scours.
The egg powder and antibodies have been tested for stability and have a shelf life of 12 months. The treated egg powder has biosecurity clearance in NZ and poses no risk of introducing unwanted organisms to this country. It is safe for both animals and the environment and there is a nil withholding period for meat animals for slaughter.
The essential ingredients of Rotagen “Combo” have been used successfully under various brand names in the US, Europe and Asia.
How Rotagen “Combo” is Administered
Rotagen “Combo” may be fed to calves from day one of life. At 14 days of age a calf should no longer need Rotagen “Combo” to combat Rotavirus infection, but in the case of a scours outbreak Rotagen “Combo” may continue to be used to maintain calf health.
Rotagen “Combo” can be mixed with milk or milk replacer. For a specific dose it can be mixed with a small quantity of warm water and then drenched or fed individually.
Rotagen “Combo” powder can be mixed daily with at least 20 mls of warm water at body temperature per calf dose.
- If calves are feeding and not dehydrated then the mixed Rotagen “Combo” can be added to the calf’s milk e.g. to treat whole pens of calves.
- Quarantine dosing of Rotagen “Combo” to the calves as they are brought into the shed is readily achieved by drenching calves individually with a drench gun using a back pack.
- If the calf is dehydrated then you must seek veterinary advice to ensure that adequate rehydration occurs.
- If the calf is moribund, seek veterinary advice, but take it off milk and tube feed Rotagen “Combo” with electrolytes.
Consult your veterinarian for advice on the best Rotagen “Combo” regime to suit your on-farm situation and calf rearing management programme and for adequate rehydration of dehydrated calves.
Successful Rotagen “Combo” Treatment Plans
When dealing with calf scours, it is important to take all possible steps to reduce the environmental contamination of pathogens. With Rotavirus in particular, the newborn calves become infected from their mothers soon after birth. A scouring calf in a calf shed spreads the virus rapidly, contaminating the environment. All steps should be taken to reduce this contamination, by isolation and spraying.
At the beginning of the season, calf sheds should be thoroughly cleaned out, water-blasted, and sprayed with a suitable antiseptic such as Vetpack Farmsan or Vetsan. The shed should be sprayed at least weekly. This product is safe and the calves can be safely sprayed (in fact this is recommended) without shifting them from the pens. It is only necessary to fog the area, and saturation is not required. A suitable spray nozzle is provided. Coverage is approximately 1 Litre of diluted spray per 30 square Metres of floor area. This is sufficient room for rearing 20 calves.
Rotagen Combo, to neutralize gut infection in calves can be used in the following ways:
Using Rotavirus 6 & 10 antibodies:
Prevention: Day 1 to 5 - 10gms daily for 5 days
Treatment: Day 1 - 20gms daily for the first day
Thereafter: 10gms daily for 3 days
Using Rotavirus 6 & 10 plus Cryptosporidia antibodies:
Prevention: Day 1 to 5 - 10gms daily for 5 days
Treatment: Day 1 - 10gms twice daily for the first day
Thereafter: 5gms twice daily for 3 to 7 days
Note: In severe infections the above treatment rates may need to be doubled.
Using Rotavirus 6 & 10 plus Coronovirus antibodies:
Prevention: Day 1 to 5 - 10gms daily for 5 days
Treatment: Day 1 - 20gms daily for the first day
Thereafter: 10gms daily for 3 days
Using Rotavirus 6 & 10 antibodies plus E.coli K99 antibodies:
Prevention: Day 1 to 5 - 10gms daily for 5 days
Treatment: Day 1 - 20gms daily for the first day
Thereafter: 10gms daily for 3 days
Using Rotavirus 6 & 10 antibodies plus Salmonella Typhimurium antibodies:
Prevention: Day 1 to 5 - 10gms daily for 5 days
Treatment: Day 1 - 20gms daily for the first day
Thereafter: 10gms daily for 3 days
Rotagen “Combo” is registered as an aid to the prevention and control of neonatal scours. Any treatment regime or variation should only be implemented in consultation with your veterinarian. Rotagen is registered pursuant to the ACVM Act 1997, No A9928. For registration conditions see www.nzfsa.govt.nz/acvm for registration conditions.
