Cryptosporidiosis of calves as a serious problem on a dairy cattle farm

Repeated outbreaks of cryptosporidiosis in three to fourteen days old calves on a dairy farm gave rise to a detailed description of the induced therapeutic, epidemiological and prophylactic measures. In farms with ongoing problems of diarrhea in calves, its etiology should be cleared. For cryptosporidiosis, which can not be cured by a conventional symptomatic treatment, only Lasalocid-Na is available. In Switzerland the ionophoric polyether antibiotic Lasalocid-Na is available as a food additive (Bovatec((R)), 15% Lasalocid-Na, Hoffmann-La Roche AG). After the establishment of a diagnosis it must be administered as follows: 2 X 6 mg/kg BW, i.e. 2 X 40 mg Bovatec((R))/kg BW, daily for three days. The recommended dose has to be respected because of a very high risk of intoxication. Moreover, on contaminated farms strict measures of hygiene, desinfection and cleaning have to be respected. Calving cows have to be kept separated during the calving period and the newborn calves must be separated from the adult cattle unit.