Dairy Calf and Heifer Association Webinar Focuses on Coccidiosis - Cowsmo

Dairy Calf and Heifer Association Webinar Focuses on Coccidiosis

Dairy Calf and Heifer Association’s (DCHA) May 25 webinar features “Your Calves Are Shedding Cocci: The Magnitude of the Problem.” This free, one-hour educational offering starts at 2 p.m. Central (Chicago) time.

During this webinar, Gerald Mechor, a distinguished technical consultant at Elanco Animal Health, will discuss the importance of a thorough examination and diagnostic testing to help confirm a positive case of coccidiosis, as well as prevention tips to keep calves healthy during this critical growth stage. Coccidiosis remains a common disease pathogen present on all dairies with the potential to significantly impact calves and heifers.

“Treating for the disease without confirming it’s the cause of symptoms in dairy calves could be a costly mistake,” says Mechor. “Taking appropriate steps to prevent coccidiosis and accurately diagnosing positive cases can save time and money.”

Mechor notes that when diarrhea is present in weaned calves, a quick diagnosis of coccidiosis is often made and treatment begins. But what if it’s the wrong treatment? What if the problem isn’t coccidiosis? While diarrhea is a common symptom of coccidiosis, its occurrence in calves does not always equate to coccidia. Bacteria, viruses, parasitic infections and dietary changes are other common causes of diarrhea in weaned calves.

For the last 25 years, Mechor has worked as a senior dairy technical consultant for Elanco Animal Health. He supported the dairy industry and conducted post-approval research following the approval of Rumensin for use in lactating dairy cows.

Mechor’s research areas include colostrum and neonatal immunity, calfhood diseases and risk factors for disease, especially respiratory disease. He works with industry veterinarians and nutritionists to investigate herd challenges with calf and heifer health.

In 1982, Mechor graduated from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) in Saskatoon, Sask., Canada, and completed a residency program there in internal medicine and herd medicine. He served on the faculties of WCVM and the New York State College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y.

To register for the webinar, go here and follow the prompts. As the webinar approaches, you will receive an e-mail with information on how to log in to participate.

DCHA submitted a Registry of Approved Continuing Education (RACE) application for this DCHA webinar. Approval gives veterinarians and veterinary technicians the opportunity to earn one CE at no cost.

This webinar is sponsored by Rumensin.

If you are a DCHA member and cannot attend the live program, you may access the webinar through DCHA’s online Member Center. To access the webinar, DCHA members will need to visit https://calfandheifer.org/login and enter their username and password.

For more information about DCHA’s webinars, e-mail Sue Schatz, DCHA member services director, at: [email protected]. Follow DCHA on social media or visit the DCHA website to learn about future webinars.

The Dairy Calf and Heifer Association was founded in 1996 based on the mission to help dairy producers, calf managers and those professionally focused on the growth and management of dairy calves and heifers. With a national membership of producers, allied industries and research leaders, DCHA seeks to provide the industry’s standards for profitability, performance and leadership, serving as a catalyst to help members improve the vitality and viability of their individual efforts and that of their business.

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