Achieve™ Helps this Iowa Vet Put the Brakes on Calf Scours

Tom Lapke, DVM, Rolling Hills Veterinary Service, has been helping dairy producers keep their herds healthy for 16 years. In fact, 95 percent of the clients of his two-man practice in northeastern Iowa are either dairy farmers or cow-calf operators. Obviously, calves are a big part of both.

“I typically recommend Achieve™ at the first sign of loose stools or scours, typically in calves less than two weeks old,” Lapke said. “I tell producers to get 30 grams into them on the first and second days. Generally, that will stop most of the scours I see.”

“In the last several years, we’ve had problems with coccidiosis and cryptosporidiosis, in addition to the usual E. coli scours,” he elaborated. “Achieve helped those herds that had problems—usually within 12 hours. It seemed to be a broad-spectrum treatment to cover multiple problems.”

In addition to its efficacy, this all-natural, antibiotic-free product is easy to use, according to Lapke. 

“The verbal feedback I get indicates that one of the big advantages for producers is ease of use,” Lapke noted. “It’s simple to explain, and there’s no injection required. It comes in 60-gram tubes. You just dial the dosage, put it in the calf’s mouth and squirt.” 

What’s more, it doesn’t require refrigeration, so producers can carry it with them without having to worry about a cooler. And, his experience demonstrates that once producers learn about its benefits, they buy Achieve with little or no reminding.

“It’s simple, easy dosing, and delivers fast, effective results. It won’t cure all scours, but it’s a good tool to use in the spring. And, it has sold itself. Initially, I pushed it, but after a short time, I found I would come back into the office and the two boxes that had been sitting there in the morning were gone. When people use a product and it works, every time they come in the clinic, they get more just so they have it on hand. I think it was sold out four or five times.”

Lapke added that for herds with calf scours problems, he also recommends First Defense®, used in conjunction with Achieve. First Defense, available in a bolus, is administered right after birth to help enhance protection against E. coli and coronaviruses, two common causes of scours.

“I advise producers with calf scours problems to use both Achieve and First Defense on the first day of life; then if symptoms develop, administer Achieve again,” Lapke stated.