Volume 22 • Issue 04 • 2018 problems ? HB-C 9 Mar 2017
In the last number of weeks , we had several outbreaks in our area ( Free State Highveld ). Crypto was confirmed with the Witness Bovid 5 test from Zoetis . This last outbreak is really causing trouble for one of my high producing dairy farmers . He had an outbreak two weeks ago , treated with Norotrim , Buscopan and Diakur powder in their milk .( 2 litres of milk twice a day , and then 2 litre of water with Rehydion gel over lunch time ). All of the calves were fine and the diarrhoea stopped after 5 days of supportive treatment . The younger group of calves ( 10- 21 days old ) started with a diarrhoea over the weekend . Also tested positive for Crypto . I did a PM on a calf that died over the weekend , found slightly reddish small intestine , gas filled , and ulcer ( 2x2cm ) in the cecum ( ulcer was visible on the outside of the cecum , but was slightly bigger on the inside of the intestine ). This specific calf was only two weeks old . I visited the farm today , several calves had profuse , watery , yellowish diarrhoea . Most of them are well hydrated , but some of them deteriorate to the point where they would actually need a drip . Even the severely dehydrated ones keep on drinking their milk / water when given . I could not get a faecal sample from a sick calf that was not treated with antibiotics yet . I am thinking that crypto might be secondary ?
FM - 5 Jun 2017 ( translated from Afr . – Ed )
Johan van Niekerk posted the following on my Face Book page and Landbou Sosiaal
For nearly 3 years I know that it is Cryptosporidium killing my calves . Dr Palo from Italy was imported by SANO ( the feed company ) and he confirmed it . He has been on my farm 3 times and all that will work is to import Halocur . It is a pale yellow solution for oral administration . 0,5mg halofuginone Lactade in aqueous excipient . 45kg calve receives 12ml Halocur once a day for 7 consecutive days . Dr Palo reckons this product is our only solution . I have concrete evidence of Crypto on my farm from 15 / 03 / 2016 . Dr Martin Ferreira from Potchefstroom together with Dr Johan Cloete of MSD tried everything to bring the product in , without success . The most beautiful healthy calf has nothing wrong in the morning and by the evening it is dead . No symptoms , nothing ! Several vets say it is E coli , but it isn ’ t . What can we do to import this product . Dr Palo says that it is the only product that works in Italy .
Japie Nel - I have lost more than 50 % in the past 2 years . Also waiting with bated breath . At least I discovered an oil in Hoopstad that works .
LT - 23 Nov 2017
Problem : Calves with white stinking diarrhoea , high mortality rate . Extensive beef production system . Affected calves are between 2 and 4 weeks old . Diagnosis : Cryptosporidium using the Quatro Vet Uni-strip tests . ( could not find oocysts on faecal flotation ). Most of the management procedures for Crypto are only applicable to dairy calves . Is there any advice / treatment options for a beef production system ? Other than : quality + quantity of colostrum ; prevent overcrowding ; separate affected calves ; reduce stress ; separate older and younger calves .
LW- 25 May 2018
• Thousands of dead lambs , dairy & beef calves , and now game lambs and calves since 2013 due to Crytosporidium and E . Coli .
• Economic losses are running into the millions !!!!!!!! Farmers want to stop farming with cattle and sheep .
• Even with isolation , treatment of dehydration , Vit E , Se , antibiotics , Interflora , Autogenous E . Coli vaccinations for different farms , etc . etc . etc . we are not winning at all .
EPIDEMIOLOGY
AO - 13 Jan 2017
( Ostriches ) - Look at the epidemiology of crypto as well as the host / pathogen interface . My experience - They prefer a moist environment = water and cool climatic conditions . I find sporadic “ outbreaks ” in batches of ostrich chicks . This even when their peers before and after on the same site did not develop any signs of disease . Outbreaks in our case are strongly associated with a wet moist environment and immune suppression . It is extremely difficult to get rid of cryptosporidium – I see it year after year even on sites rested for months .
TC - 13 Jan 2017
Adriaan , do your ostrich chicks die from crypto ? In our experience it seldom if ever is the primary cause of calf mortality . It is probably a " factor " in a multi-factorial syndrome . Outbreaks in our case are strongly associated with a wet moist environment and immune suppression . Spot on !
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