calves dying- appear to have enterotoxemia but......

[GlennBarr]

All cows have been vaccinated prior to calving 60 and 30 days-calves are exhibiting s/s of enterotoxemia-- diarrhea/scours, look fine one morning and check the following day and the calf is half dead-- all have bloody scours- most are 1-4 days old. One had same symptoms - seemed to act like muscles were affected- kicked at it to get it moving and it flipped onto it's back and died. We experienced same thing last year at the same time of year-- Nov 1-15. Cows are on good pasture- protein licks, salt readily available, etc.... Anyone know what this is and how to stop?

 

[bgm]

What time is the vet arriving?

 

[GlennBarr]

vet gave C&D antitoxin- giving it at birth/tagging- still dying

 

[Alice]

Are they calving on the same ground as last year? I have no idea if that has anything to do with it, but when we have a rash of sick calves, bottle babies that are that age, we move them to a different area and never use the tainted ground again.

Alice

 

[GlennBarr]

last year they seemed to come out of a particular pasture- this year it is different areas. Have 7 pastures majority is coming out of one but not the same as last years.

 

[Roadapple]

Seems it's not the pasture but the herd that's causing the problem. What makes you think it's enterotoxemia? In my animal health book it says entero. is an overeating disease usually found in feed-lot cattle. What did vet say was the cause last year?

 

[Vicky the vet]

All cows have been vaccinated prior to calving 60 and 30 days-calves are exhibiting s/s of enterotoxemia-- diarrhea/scours, look fine one morning and check the following day and the calf is half dead-- all have bloody scours- most are 1-4 days old. One had same symptoms - seemed to act like muscles were affected- kicked at it to get it moving and it flipped onto it's back and died. We experienced same thing last year at the same time of year-- Nov 1-15. Cows are on good pasture- protein licks, salt readily available, etc.... Anyone know what this is and how to stop?

1-4 days = likely E. coli. C&D are clostridium. E coli can give endotoxemia, they can die fast, even faster with antibiotics it seems. There are specific products which can be given to neonates which are antibodies to the e. coli and will prevent it, but must be given at birth...sometimes best even before the colostrum. Also, what diagnostics have been done?

Sorry for the delay, just back from jamaica.....

 

[GMN]

All cows have been vaccinated prior to calving 60 and 30 days-calves are exhibiting s/s of enterotoxemia-- diarrhea/scours, look fine one morning and check the following day and the calf is half dead-- all have bloody scours- most are 1-4 days old. One had same symptoms - seemed to act like muscles were affected- kicked at it to get it moving and it flipped onto it's back and died. We experienced same thing last year at the same time of year-- Nov 1-15. Cows are on good pasture- protein licks, salt readily available, etc.... Anyone know what this is and how to stop?

Give calf guard to the calves at birth, I had similar problems, this has stopped it dead in the tracks!!

Good luck

GMN