home → articles → Herd Health | Email to a Friend

Colostrum Management Helps Prevent Scours

published: August 25th 2008
source: Pfizer Animal Health

 TURTLE LAKE, N.D. (August 25, 2008) – Research shows scours can cause up to 18 percent of calf mortality, making it the number one calf killer.¹ A calf’s best defense against scours is colostrum, which carries antibodies that help provide immunity against scours-causing pathogens.

 “To get the highest levels of colostrum antibodies, you need to start with a quality nutritional program for the mother cows during gestation,” said Jon Seeger, DVM, managing veterinarian with Pfizer Animal Health. “Colostrum develops during late gestation at the same time major fetal growth occurs. These activities require significant quantities of energy and protein. Cow management should focus on quality nutrition to support this colostrum development.”

 According to Seeger, colostrum management should also focus on enhancing antibody levels in the colostrum. Vaccinating a dam with a scours vaccine helps produce high levels of antibodies in the dam’s blood stream. The antibodies are then transferred to the calf through colostrum, eventually entering the calf’s blood stream through the GI track. 

 Cows transfer antibodies from their blood into colostrum two to five weeks prior to calving.² Vaccinating against scours before this time helps build up the highest level of antibodies in the cow’s blood during the period that the antibodies are being transferred to the colostrum.

 “Vaccination timing is really important because all antibody transfer from the dam to calf is done through the colostrum,” explained Seeger. “If the vaccination isn’t done at the right time to help build a high level of antibodies in the cow’s blood stream—and in the colostrum—the calf won’t get the best protection possible.”

 Producers should also make sure calves nurse early and properly so they get an adequate quantity of colostrum within two hours of birth. Seeger recommends 4 quarts of colostrum within the first 12 hours of birth and an additional 4 to 6 quarts in the first 24 hours after birth. 

 Pfizer, Inc. (NYSE: PFE), the world’s largest research-based pharmaceutical company, is a world leader in discovering and developing innovative animal vaccines and prescription medicines. Pfizer Animal Health is dedicated to improving the safety, quality and productivity of the world’s food supply by enhancing the health of livestock and poultry; and in helping companion animals live longer and healthier lives. For additional information on Pfizer’s portfolio of animal products, visit www.PfizerAH.com.

# # # #1 NAHMS Beef Cow/Calf Health & Productivity Audit; Part III: Beef Cow/Calf Health Management, January 1994. Available at: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/ceah/ncahs/nahms/beefcowcalf/chapa/ChapaPt3.pdf. Accessed June 24, 2008.

2 LeBlanc MM. Passive transfer of immunity in calves. In: Current Therapy in Theriogenology. 2nd ed, Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders, 1986; 224-226.