World First for Vetpak - Calf Scours Remedy
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Te Awamutu veterinary supply company has scored a world-first with the registration of a naturally-based combination of antibodies as an aid to prevent and to treat the common causes of potentially fatal calf scours.
Independent Veterinary Supplies Ltd, marketing under its Vetpak brand, has recently received notification of the registration of Rotagen Combo as an animal remedy licensed by the Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines Group (ACVM) of the NZ Food Safety Authority.
The new remedy offers a safe alternative to traditional drugs such as sulphonamide and has provern effective over the past nine years of product development and on-farm experience, sais Independent Veterinary Supplies Ltd (IVS) General Manager and veterinarian Dr Lindsay Chitty.
"We are very proud of the fact that Vetpak is leading the field in helping prevent and alleviate the suffering that occurs with scour outbreaks in calves," said Dr Chitty. The key ingredient is a combination of antibodies that have been produced in the eggs of hens vaccinated with the antigens of Rotavirus, Cryptosporidia, E. coli K99, Salmonella typhimurium and Coronovirus.
The precisely dried egg yolk powder, is manufactured for Scitex NZ Ltd, which holds distributing rights in New Zealand and Australia.
IVS developed its formulation which includes specific antibodies, dextrose, kaolin and sodium bicarbonate, into a registered animal remedy that is the first of its kind.
Dr Chitty said Vetpak's advance in the treatment of Rotavirus, which is the most common cause of neonatal scours in calves, will prevent or alleviate a lot of stress for calves and for farmers who face a significant production losses if an infection takes hold.
He said the remedy's registration was achieved through the extensive field experience and treatment regimes adopted by Te Awamutu veterinarian Dr Ian Livingstone, whose work for IVS has led to a safe preventative or treatment regime of 10gms daily for five days.
On-farm mixing of Rotagen Combo in a milk drink or warm-water drench is also straightforward.
Rotagen Combo is now available as an off-the-shelf animal remedy from veterinary retailers throughout the country after previously being available only by way of veterinary prescription as a nutrient supplement.
Dr Chitty advises users to continue to seek veterinary advice, as directed on the product label, to ensure the correct diagnosis of the cause of scours and to provide electrolyte replacement.
A further benefit in using Rotagen Combo is that there is no witholding period for slaughter as is required for some traditional treatments.
Vetpak's Rotagen "Combo" is registered pursuant to the ACVM Act 1997, No A9929.
See www.nzfa.govt.nz/acvm for registration conditions.
