Lost a calf to Coccidiosis today.Got another one sick

trbizwiz · #1 06/22/11, 05:18 PM

I lost one today. He has had loose stools for several days. The stools were dark, but I did not think of Cocci. I usually think of Cocci as blood. Shoulda thought of dark stools as old blood. My bad. ANyway. I have another claf that has had loose green stools for the last 3 days. Today I saw blood, quite a bit of blood really. We treated the live calf with sulfa, and added 8oz of corid to the community 100 gallon water tank. Another calf has been otherwise healthy but appears to be getting loose this afternoon. Maybe I am just paranoid. Anyway we attempted to treat him, but he got pretty flighty after we treated the sicker one. So rather than over stress him we opted to wait and see how he does with just corid in the water. The two claves in question are not weened so I fear they may not drink enough from the water tank to be suffecient. I have seen both drink at times though. So I know they do.

Is there anything else I should do to treat these guys? The vet did not think so, but I just wanted a consensus. He wasnt terribly optimistic for the calf that started bleeding today. He seemed to think the other calf should be fine. The vet did a post mortum on the dead calf. He said th elungs were fine. He really had no concerns other than cocci. Not that that is not bad enough, you know what I mean.

i will mow everything they grazed in the last 2 weeks pretty short. The vet said the sunlight should eliminate any remaining cocci in th egrass or ground. I may with hold from that area on the next rotation and just mow it again. I have stock piled forage I can use instead.

Thanks in advance for your tips.

Creamers · #2 06/23/11, 12:12 AM

I raise my goat kids on Cocci prevention - I'd suppose I'd do the same with calves because in goats, you get growth stunting if you wait until you see signs of cocci -
I've never seen cocci so severe that there was blood - not sure if that is a sign it is too late or not?
In goats, once cocci is so bad - you need to treat with SMZ antibiotics or whatever else the vet recommends

spinandslide · #3 06/23/11, 10:51 AM

I had a bottle calf almost die from this years ago.

Vet gave me IV fluids, advised electrolytes, Biosponge, corrid and an antibotic..hmmm..I cant remember the name..it started with an "A" and was prescription..

Anyway, it did stunt this calf's growth..for ABIT..but she is now caught up with the rest of the herd and turned into a stellar cow...

Madsaw · #4 06/23/11, 11:16 PM

WHat form of sulfa did you use? The norm for treatment here is. If they should any sign of it they get a treatment of Sustain III. Plus I will also give either bactrum(SMZ tablets) or sulmet the first day also. This will get the sulfa intot eh system faster and then teh SIII's can take over. Also a shoot of pennicillin to help ward off any infection caused by the irratation in teh guts. Here in my area there also is a drug made by a vet. Its used for treating cryptosporidia in calves. Its noting more then a cocsidiastat on saw dust to make it eaiser to measure and administer. Therefore it can also be used on cocdidios.
Bob

trbizwiz · #5 06/24/11, 12:05 PM

THe vet gave the meds. I did not see exactly what he gave. He referred to it as "sulfa" I assume he gave what ever is appropriate. The calf is still getting up and walking around today a few days later. His butt looks better. No visible blood in his waste this morning. His ears are high, and his tail is wagging. I have seen him eat and drink.
I have put 8 oz of corid in th ewater each time I filled it the last few days. I had to fill it two times yesterday. It has been cooler so I had the auto fill shut off. Today is supposed to be warmer so it is on. ill just add another 8oz of corid tonight, and probably shut it off tonight, because I will be home tomorrow to see them drink. I have also been adding copper sulfate to the water. Copper is anessential element for animals, and it also kills bacteria, and fungi. hopefully the calf is on the recovery. Thanks for your thoughts.

prairiegirl · #6 06/29/11, 07:35 AM

We've used Corid to treat this and had good results.
It was added to their water for a few days.

trbizwiz · #7 06/29/11, 03:36 PM

The other calf seems to be doing well a week later. I think he may be out fo the woods on this issue. A third calf never came down with the coccidiosis. I think I may keep the third bull intact to use as a herd bull. HE has very nice conformation, adn growing great. HE seems particularly well suited to an all grass diet. Though if I keep him intact he will have to have a daily treat to remain manageable. I may use alfalfa pellets to theoretically keep him on an all grass diet. Probably a pound a day. As i said a treat not a meal.
I am probably gonna sell the other calf with his momma. They have done good on an all grass diet, but Momma is not ideally suited for a perfect grass only diet, and she is probably more valuable with calf at side.