"Valsyn Mix" In Comparative Studies of the Prevention of Coliform Diarrhea in Calves

Abstract

A group of 12 newborn calves was fed antibiotic-free reconstituted skim milk, at a 10-percent body weight daily level, for 35 days. Each of two other calf-groups was fed the basal ration with an oxy tot rocy clin e-HCl additive, and the basal ration, with "Vaisyn Mix", a furaltadone preparation. All calves wore orally inoculated for 10 consecutive days with doses of E. coli. Daily temperature and physical observations, and weekly clinico-hematological data were recorded for each calf. Statistical, analyses showed that there were no significant differences between treatment groups in relation to the hematocrit, level and death of calves, or the leukocyte level and death of calves, and also that gain in body-weight of survivor calves is independent of treatment-schedule influence. However, there is statistical significance at the 5-percent level between the ability of Valsyn Mix to protect calves from E. coli diarrhea when compared with oxytetracycline hydrochloride, and no medication.