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The need for a healthy start
The transfer of maternally derived antibodies
within the first few hours of life is essential to protect neonatal
calves against disease. Their reliance on this passively acquired
resistance, transferred in their dam's colostrum, underlines the
importance of ensuring that not only is a sufficient quantity
of colostrum taken but that it is of a high enough quality to
provide the protection needed by the calf.
As well as quantity and quality, the importance for early ingestion
of the colostrum is also paramount. By this way, the calf takes
antibodies directly into the gut, providing essential local protection.
Subsequently, with the absorption of the immunoglobulins from
the colostrum in the gut, this is not only a local but also a
systemic protection which is provided against a wide range of
bacteria and viruses. The neonatal calf relies on this simple
and natural process for a healthy start to life.
When the nature
needs a little help
Certainty of the availability and quality of colostrum
cannot be guaranteed.
All too often, the dam may not produce sufficient colostrum and
the quality of that colostrum will be dependant on her own, often
unknown, immune status. She may calve down with acute mastitis
or hypocalcaemia and not be able to provide the calf with enough
colostrum. The calf may be weak and not able to suck. Either cow
or calf may be injured. Whatever the reason, when something does
go wrong, the adequate intake of colostrum can never be guaranteed.
It is then that the nature needs a little help.
Product
specification and package insert
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