Escherichia coli Antibody, Equine Origin

Composition: This product is prepared from the blood of horses hyperimmunized with K99 piliated Escherichia coli. Contains oxytetracycline, phenol, and thimerosal as preservatives.
Indications: For use in newborn calves as an aid in the prevention of colibacillosis caused by K99 piliated Escherichia coli.
Dosage and Administration: Shake well before using. Administer 10mL orally to calves less than 12 hours old. Slowly syringe toward the back of the calf’s mouth. Colostrum should be fed to each calf.
Precaution(s): Store in the dark at 35°-45°F (2°-7°C). Do not freeze.
Caution(s): Use entire contents when first opened. Anaphylactic reactions may occur following the use of this biological. Symptomatic treatment: Epinephrine.
For veterinary use only.
Warning(s): Do not administer within 21 days prior to slaughter.
Discussion: Despite advances in sanitation, vaccination, and antibiotics, baby calf scours caused by Escherichia coli (colibacillosis) is still the number one killer of newborn calves. It causes 50% of the deaths of newborn dairy calves and 75% of the deaths in beef calves.
The K99 pilus is the main virulence factor found on enterotoxigenic strains of E coli (ETEC) that are isolated from calves. This pilus has been shown to be one of the main attachment mechanisms which allow the ETEC to colonize on the microvilli in the lower small intestine. Colonization and irritation interfere with absorption of fluids from the gut. This produces hypermotility and diarrhea. The production of enterotoxins also contributes to the diarrhea by causing hypersecretion of fluids from the intestinal cells.