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Using long-acting antibiotics to protect weaned calves from respiratory disease
New research from the University of Guelph looked at respiratory disease and two preventative treatment methods in calves after weaning. The study used 1,392 calves at a commercial heifer raising facility and compared treating calves with either 2 mL of a long-acting antibiotic (tulathromycin, marketed as Draxxin) or 5 mL of a short-acting antibiotic (oxytetracycline, marketed as Biomycin 200) at the time they were moved into group housing. Calves were weaned at six weeks of age and remained in individual pens for two weeks after weaning before being placed into groups.
This trial did not evaluate the impact of antibiotic treatment near weaning compared to no treatment. It was designed to compare two different treatment methods. In the six weeks following the move to group housing, 22 percent of calves treated with oxytetracycline and 13 percent of calves treated with tulathromycin developed respiratory disease. Among calves that had no respiratory disease before moving to group housing, calves treated with tulathromycin weighed more and were taller after six weeks in group housing than calves treated with oxytetracycline. Calves that were treated for respiratory disease before eight weeks of age did not respond differently to tulathromycin or oxytetracycline, perhaps because of damage due to respiratory illnesses earlier in life. Calves that experienced respiratory illness before eight weeks of age weighed 6.4 pounds less and were 0.24 inch shorter than healthy calves at 14 weeks of age. Respiratory illness during the first 6 weeks of group housing reduced 14-week body weight by 17.4 pounds and withers height by 0.5 inch.
Results of this study demonstrated the significant impact that respiratory disease can have on calves in the first three to four months of life and showed that tulathromycin may be used as an effective preventative treatment for calves during the high risk period after weaning. Long-acting antibiotic treatment at the time of group housing was more effective in calves that did not have a history of respiratory disease.
Source: Dairy Calf and Heifer Association
Upcoming DCHA Conference provides opportunities
Looking for the latest information on raising calves and heifers? Interested in the newest products and services to manage replacement animals? You will find this and much more at the 2010 Dairy Calf and Heifer Association (DCHA) conference, March 23-25 in Lexington, Ky.
The DCHA conference is your one-stop source for information and resources related to calves and heifers.
Keynote speakers at the conference include Tom Shay of Profits+Plus, who will discuss employee management; Charlie Arnot of CMA, who will talk about consumer expectations and building public trust in our industry; and Roger Cady of Elanco Animal Health, who will analyze current trends in the U.S. dairy industry. In addition, the conference will include breakout sessions on accelerated feeding, colostrum management, protocols and labor management, writing strong contracts, feed efficiency, managed grazing, lender relationships, automatic feeding systems and more. New for this year, topics have been organized so that Wednesday, March 24 is Calf Day and Thursday, March 25 is Heifer Day.
You don’t want to miss this opportunity for “Racing with the Best” producers, industry representatives and university researchers and expanding your knowledge and your network. For more information, call (877) 434-3377 or visit www.calfandheifer.org.
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