Rotagen Cryptosporidia - Launch August 2010
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Vetpak is proud to announce the approval of “Rotagen Crypto”, a new product from the Rotagen range that is specific to Cryptosporidium in calves.
Rotagen is the unique product range that has been used for the prevention and treatment of rotavirus and other pathogens since the late 1990’s. Based on “Globigen”, a spray-dried egg yolk powder derived from vaccinated chickens which contains IgY’s specific to a particular organism, Rotagen products can successfully be used to prevent, control and treat calf scours.
Globigen is made by vaccinating high health status flocks against a specific pathogen; rotavirus, both 6 & 10, coronavirus, cryptosporidium, salmonella, or E.coli (K99). The hen then passes maternal immunoglobulins from serum to the egg yolk which is collected, then spray-dried, heat-treated and standardized to a determined IgY titre. This is then formulated into a Rotagen combination product by Vetpak here in New Zealand. Any Rotagen combination of the above IgY’s can be produced by Vetpak on request to meet a specific challenge.
The IgY antibodies provide a passive immunity effect in the gut in the same way bovine colostrum would. Studies have shown that IgY’s successfully passes through the GI tract in an active form and are not altered by the digestive process. Their ability to bind to antigens is maintained within the local gut.
As the Rotagen products are based on a local gut immunity provided by immunoglobulins, there is no issue with toxicity and no withholding period. Rotagen can be used with calves of any age and treatment can be initiated at any stage of infection. It can be used to both prevent and treat specific calf scours.
Rotagen Crypto has now been approved by the ACVM as an aid in the prevention and treatment of calf scours caused by Cryptosporidium, and is available as a stand-alone product without the addition of rotavirus. This is particularly useful in cases where the herd has been vaccinated for rotavirus, but the farm has a history of Cryptosporidium parvum scours in their calves.
Calves of any age or weight can be treated at the same dosage rate.
Recommended Dosage:
Prevention: 10 grams per calf per day for 5 days
Treatment: 10 grams twice daily for the first day, then 5 grams twice daily for 3 – 7 days.
Mix the required amount with luke-warm water before adding to milk or water for oral drenching.
Appropriate rehydration is essential; Rotagen can be used in conjunction with electrolytes or milk feeding. Veterinary advice should be sought in the treatment of neonatal scours.
