Rotagen Support Data
Protection against No 1 Calf Killer
Scours is the single biggest killer of young calves – and Rotavirus is the main infectious cause. It’s tough to eliminate and traditional treatments merely target the symptoms, not the virus itself.
Rotavirus is suspected of causing more than half of all cases of scouring in calves less than three weeks old. It destroys cells in the lining of their small intestine and consequently the infected animals are unable to digest food properly. Their growth and vigour is knocked back and they become susceptible to other health problems.
The cost of scours can be immediately counted in the calves lost but there is an ongoing cost – those cattle that survive the virus but which fail to develop to their full potential.
The farmer is offered a feed additive called Rotagen “Combo” that carries Rotavirus antibodies to neutralize the virus and give protection from further infection. While other anti-scour products rely on passive absorption through the gut (with variable results), Rotagen “Combo” maintains a high level of Rotavirus antibodies within the calf’s gut as a barrier to infection.
Rotavirus infected calves dosed with Rotagen “Combo” – Rotavirus 6 & 10 – have reduced villi atrophy, less scouring, less shedding of the virus and faster recovery than calves treated with replacement electrolytes alone. Rotagen “Combo” offers a passive immunity. The dose regime used is dependent on the risk or severity of infection, as advised by your Veterinarian.
Why use Rotagen Combo?
Ongoing Protection
Rotagen “Combo” is a product that helps maintain good health in calves before scours occur and during a scours outbreak. Rotagen “Combo” takes over when the intake of antibodies from colostrum antibodies is inadequate, and helps to prevent rotavirus infections from becoming pathogenic.
No unsafe residues
Rotagen “Combo” takes a new approach against calf scours. Its antibodies directly attack the virus, rendering it inert and stopping a primary cause of scours. Rotagen “Combo” is a feed additive made from egg yolk – therefore it is safe, leaving no residues.
Cost Effectiveness
For replacement calves, Rotagen “Combo” provides low cost insurance compared to:
• The cost of conventional scour treatments.
• The cost and uncertainty of vaccinating dams to boost protective antibodies in their calves.
Why not rely on Colostrum alone?
Colostrum is the calf’s natural and primary source of antibodies to beat off infection but recent research suggests that up to 30% of all calves never get an adequate intake of colostrum. The level of antibodies in colostrum can also be inadequate.
In any case, the naturally produced antibodies that fight rotavirus can only offer protection for a few days after birth – and calves in a dairy herd are often infected, or re-infected, by rotavirus after this protection has ended. Rotavirus has been difficult to treat because antibiotics don’t kill it, nor do ordinary disinfectants, and it is highly infectious. The virus is very persistent in the farm environment and easily spread in the faeces of apparently healthy cattle – newborn calves are therefore being constantly challenged when rotavirus is present in the herd. Its incubation is about two days.
The resulting scours can be fatal, particularly when combined with other types of infection such as E. coli, Salmonella, Corona virus or Cryptosporidia.
Traditional remedies of scours have merely aimed to relieve the affected animal’s symptoms by minimizing loss of body fluid, electrolyte and energy levels.
