Evaluating the efficacy of Tri-Shield® First Defense® as a treatment for diarrhea in pre-weaned dairy calves

Diarrhea in pre-weaned dairy calves remains a challenge. An­tibiotic use can often be inappropriate and adversely affect the gut microbiome. There exists an opportunity to explore alter­native treatments for early calfhood scours. Tri-Shield® First Defense® is a veterinary biologic derived from hyperimmu­nized bovine colostrum concentrated to a standard potency of antibodies against K99 + E.coli, coronavirus and rotavirus. One dose at birth serves as a scour preventative, reducing mortal­ity and morbidity caused by K99 + E.coli and coronavirus, while also reducing severity and duration of scours caused by rotavi­rus. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of Tri-Shield® First Defense® as a treatment for diarrhea occurring between 5 and 14 days of age. We hypothesized calves treated with Tri-Shield, in this off-label application, would recover fe­cal consistency sooner, have improved average daily gain, and lower morbidity and mortality than calves treated only with oral electrolytes.