Vecoxan calf presentation 2009

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Vecoxan® for calves Are you doing your best to control coccidiosis?

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Coccidiosis in calves

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An overview Coccidiosis – well recognised as a cause of clinical outbreaks of diarrhoea and of sub-optimal growth in growing calves Coccidiosis – probably one of the the most common cause of diarrhoea in calves Cattle become infected when placed in environments contaminated by older cattle or other infected calves 2 main pathogenic species: Eimeria bovis Eimeria zuernii Coccidiosis in calves

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An overview Clinical disease occurs if young animals are subjected to massive infestation or if their immune status is compromised Sub-clinical coccidiosis is often ignored Both sub-clinical and clinical coccidiosis trigger economic losses Trials prove that 61% of economic loss is triggered by non-clinical cases* Coccidiosis in calves *Efficacy of diclazuril (Vecoxan) against naturally acquired Eimeria infections in suckling beef calves and economic benefits of treatment. J Agneessens, L Goossens, P Veys and D Gradwell. Cattle Practice, The Journal of the British Cattle Veterinary Association, 2005, vol. 13, p231-234

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Coccidiosis – the lifecycle Stages in the host and outside Oocysts shed into the environment need moisture and warmth to ‘sporulate’ to an infective stage – this process takes 2 to 7 days One oocyst ingested can multiply through several stages in the intestinal lining and produce 16 million new oocysts which are shed back into the environment approximately 3 weeks later The whole lifecycle takes 3 to 4 weeks to complete

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Coccidiosis – the lifecycle Massive multiplication in the calf Sporozoites enter cells and first asexual multiplication occurs Second asexual multiplication Sexual stages occur – this is when huge cell damage occurs and diarrhoea occurs (still before oocyst shedding) Oocysts shed back into the environment At each asexual stage massive multiplication occurs which results in huge numbers of sexual stages which cause the gut damage 1 2 3 4

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The clinical disease Only a few calves in a group may show signs of clinical disease Clinical disease in calves in the later stages of the parasites lifecycle after the damage has been done Clinically diseased calves show anorexia, weakness, fever, diarrhoea, dehydration, tenesmus and signs of pain Those surviving severe clinical coccidiosis may never fully recover and could end up as runts and result in poor condition Coccidiosis: clinical disease

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The majority of coccidiosis cases are sub-clinical, resulting in: - Sub-optimal weight gain - Dry rough coat - Poor appetite Reduced growth is the main sign and can be significant, even in the absence of obvious clinical symptoms The difficulties of diagnosis, combined with a lack of awareness means that coccidiosis is often overlooked The sub-clinical disease Most cases do not show clinical disease

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Normal villi Cocci - early Cocci - late Gutwall integrity is vital Clinical signs may not Clinical signs evident – for normal gut function be evident at this stage serious damage to gut An invisible disease Damage from coccidiosis can occur before clinical signs are evident

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When the disease occurs An all year round disease Coccicidiosis is diagnosed in cattle all year All calves post maternal immunity and not previously exposed to the disease are susceptible The disease often occurs 2 to 3 weeks after a stress trigger event Other disease Housing Bad weather Movement Mixing of stock On farms with a known disease history strategic prevention programmes should be implemented Seasonal diagnosis of coccidioisis in cattle VIDAS 2005

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Trial to assess the cost Trial carried out on 6 sites 231 male and female calves of different beef and dairy herds Ages ranged from 3 weeks to 4 months Mean body weights from 69kg to124kg Animals had received no previous anticoccidial treatment Calves randomly assigned to 2 groups; treated and untreated Calves in treated group all received single oral treatment with Vecoxan at recommended dose rate of 1ml / 2.5kg bodyweight Calves examined for clinical signs of cocci during a 3 week post-treatment period and weight gain monitored Economic consequences

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Economically, sub-clinical coccidiosis impacts more than clinical disease at herd level The lack of weight gain of the animals with sub-clinical coccidiosis was responsible for 61% of the economic loss Economic consequences Weight losses caused by coccidiosis* *Efficacy of diclazuril (Vecoxan) against naturally acquired Eimeria infections in suckling beef calves and economic benefits of treatment. J Agneessens, L Goossens, P Veys and D Gradwell. Cattle Practice, The Journal of the British Cattle Veterinary Association, 2005, vol. 13, p231-234

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Signs of disease do not appear until the parasite’s life cycle is almost complete By then, most of the damage has already been done Since it is impossible to forecast which calf in an exposed group will develop disease, it is necessary that all at-risk calves be treated before clinical signs are observed (metaphylactic treatment) In an ideal situation prophylactic treatment could be given when stress trigger factors are known (e.g Poor hygiene, overcrowding,weaning, transportation, mixing etc) Don’t wait to treat ….. Prevention is better than cure

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To prevent economic losses, calves should be treated with a suitable anti-coccidial drug where the risk of coccidiosis is present After a stress trigger or if one or two calves are scouring it is advisable to dose all calves in each separate group simultaneously This will reduce the infection pressure and ensure better epidemiological control of the infection Coccidia pave the way for other enteric pathogens Bacterial enteritis is often less frequent if coccidiosis is efficiently controlled Highly desirable considering the increasing problem of antibiotic resistance Don’t wait to treat ….. Prevention is better than cure

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How Vecoxan works Laboratory trials and field efficacy trials have proven that Vecoxan has a direct effect on all development stages of the parasite life cycle Vecoxan therefore causes an interruption of the coccidial cycle and of the excretion of oocysts Irrespective of the stage of infection, Vecoxan will decrease oocyst shedding Trials showed that the total E.bovis and E.zuernii oocyst excretion reduced by 98%1 Because Vecoxan works solely in the gut it has no withdrawal period Vecoxan will not interfere with the development of normal immunity to coccidiosis2 Vecoxan® – the solution Efficacy of diclazuril (Vecoxan) against naturally acquired Eimeria infections in suckling beef calves and economic benefits of treatment. J Agneessens, L Goossens, P Veys and D Gradwell. Cattle Practice, The Journal of the British Cattle Veterinary Association, 2005, vol. 13, p231-234 Build up of immunity after a dicazuril treatment in calves. Agneesens J et al Janssen Animal health 2007

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When to dose with Vecoxan® The disease should be identified on the farm based on herd history and clinical signs supported by faecal examination (NB - clinical signs can be evident before oocysts are present) Metaphylactic treatment: treating all exposed calves before the onset of clinical coccidiosis Calves should be given a preventative dose of Vecoxan 2 weeks after moving into a high risk environment or when 1 or 2 calves in the group start scouring – treat all calves The infection must be present so that it can be treated and yet still allow the calves to develop normal immunity When diarrhoea is present, the calf is clinically infected and may require supportive treatment When to treat

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Control of coccidiosis with Vecoxan results in better average weight gain (+20%)1 Can be used in beef and dairy calves, indoors and at pasture and at any age Helps prevent re-infection of pasture and housing environment – less disease challenge Zero day meat withdrawal period Well tolerated in calves Does not interfere with the development of normal immunity to coccidiosis2 No known adverse environmental effects Single dose – easily administered with a drenching gun Key reasons to recommend Vecoxan® Recommend confidently Efficacy of diclazuril (Vecoxan) against naturally acquired Eimeria infections in suckling beef calves and economic benefits of treatment. J Agneessens, L Goossens, P Veys and D Gradwell. Cattle Practice, The Journal of the British Cattle Veterinary Association, 2005, vol. 13, p231-234 Build up of immunity after a dicazuril treatment in calves. Agneesens J et al Janssen Animal health 2007

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Vecoxan® vs toltrazuril Current NOAH data sheet comparison Jan 2009

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Vecoxan is given at 1ml per 2.5kg bodyweight as a single dose How much should I give?

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Prescribing information Contra-indications None known. Warnings & precautions Vecoxan is well tolerated in calves. In calves, no adverse effects were recorded at 5 times the prescribed dose, administered for 3 consecutive days. Clinical coccidiosis generally occurs late in the parasite’s life cycle after most of the damage to the calf’s intestine has already been done. This severely damaged intestine can easily be infected by secondary bacteria and/or other agents. In cases of acute clinical coccidiosis treated with Vecoxan, fluid therapy is essential and the use of an antibiotic should be considered. Always seek advice on the correct use of medicines from the prescriber – your veterinarian or suitably qualified distributor. Protection of consumers Nil withdrawal period for meat Protection of environment Un-used product and containers should be disposed of in accordance with any guidance from an appropriate waste regulations authority. Pharmaceutical precautions Do not store above 30 oC. Protect from frost. Operator warnings Wash hands after administration of the product. Wash splashes from eyes and skin immediately. Remove any contaminated clothing. Package quantities 1 litre, 2.5 litres, 5 litres polyethylene bottles. Vecoxan contains diclazuril 0.25% w/v Dose rate 1ml per 2.5kg for calves and lambs Legal category POM-VPS Further information is available from: Janssen Animal Health, a division of Janssen-Cilag Ltd, 50 – 100 Holmers Farm Way, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, HP12 4EG, United Kingdom Telephone: 01494 567555 Fax: 01494 567556 email: ahealth@jacgb.jnj.com