TIP: Vaccination Timing Key To Scours Prevention On The Dairy
Scours continues to be a leading cause of mortality and sickness among dairy calves. Death loss, treatment costs and poor performance resulting from scours can add up to thousands of dollars in economic losses each year.
Research shows that calves suffering from scours never catch up. One study documented that heifers treated for scours were nearly three times more likely to calve later than 30 months of age.1 Vaccination of the dam is critical to prevent calf scours, with administration timing being perhaps the most important factor.
- Vaccinate early for best results—Cows build antibodies in their blood before passing them down through colostrum, and antibodies start to move from blood to colostrum four to six weeks before calving. That means vaccinations should be given early enough to ensure circulating antibodies are as high as possible before they are transferred to colostrum.
- First year—Administer first dose of scours vaccine to dry cows and first-calf heifers eight to 16 weeks before calving. Revaccinate dry cows and first-calf heifers with a second dose four weeks before calving.
- Second year and beyond—Administer one dose at eight to 10 weeks before calving, when cows are dry.
As a general rule, the earlier you can vaccinate the cow, the better protection the calf will receive. In addition to ensuring high antibody levels, vaccinating up to 16 weeks prior to calving in the first year provides more access to the dry period, eliminating the need to handle cows too close to calving.
A vaccination program alone will not replace good nutrition, calving management and ongoing sanitation. Once those management practices are in place, attaining high levels of antibody in the colostrum through vaccination can significantly reduce scours and the financial losses associated with outbreaks.
Talk to your veterinarian about scours vaccination timing and options that allow for early vaccination. And always follow vaccine label instructions carefully.
1. Waltner-Toews D, Martin SW, Meek AH. The effect of early calfhood health status on survivorship and age at first calving. Can J Vet Res Vol. 50(3):314-317.
