GB1569300A

GB1569300A - Method for treating monogastric animals and neonatal ruminants

Info

Publication number: GB1569300A
Application number: GB41041/76A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Arizona Feeds Inc
Current assignee: Arizona Feeds Inc
Priority date: 1975-10-06
Filing date: 1976-10-04
Publication date: 1980-06-11
Also published as: CA1069048A; IT1195067B; IL50528A0; AU1828676A; AU507274B2; DE2644197A1; IL50528A; BR7606686A; DK450176A; NL7611037A

Description

(54) METHOD FOR TREATING MONOGASTRIC ANIMALS AND NEO-NATAL RUMINANTS (71) We, ARIZONA FEEDS, a Corporation organised according to the laws of the State of Arizona, United States of America, of 4650 North Highway Drive, Tuscon, Arizona 85703, United States of America, do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: is invention relates to a method for reducing the incidence of diarrhoea and for treating diarrhoea in monogastric animals and in neo-natal ruminants.

Newborn pigs usually remain with the sow for approximately twenty to thirty days, after svhich-time each weighs approximately fifteen pounds. The pigs are then taken from the sow, placed in community pens and fed a dry feed. This weaning of the pigs and placing them in community pens causes the pigs to become stressed. and it is not unusual for fifty percent of them to have diarrhoea within two or three days after being placed in the pens.

Of the pigs which develop diarrhoea, it is not unusual for twenty percent to die, without treatment. Approximately twenty percent of the pigs with diarrhoea will recover without an ,appreciable loss of weight, but the other sixty percent will lose a significant amount of weight through rapid dehydration, and this loss of weight must be made up through additional time and additional feed.

There is clearly a tremendous economic loss occasioned by the death of approximately ten percent of all weaned pigs, and a significant weight loss suffered by thirty percent of all weaned pigs.

Another animal which is troubled with diarrhoea is the neo-natal ruminant. By far, the main cause of death of neo-natal calves in the dairy industry is diarrhoea. Millions of dairy "calves (as differentiated from beef calves) are born each year. and a newborn dairy calf is usually left with the cow for about twelve hours, for the feeding of colostrum milk, often referred to as "first milk", which contains antibodies helpful for the protection of the newborn animal againt sickness and diseases. including diarrhoea.

After about twelve hours, the calf is usually taken from the cow and the latter returned to the herd. In some instances, as where the cow refuses to accept the calf. the latter is fed first milk from the "pooled" first milk from other cows.

After the day-old calf is taken away from the cow. approximately fifty percent of these animals develop diarrhoea. This causes the animal to lose large quantities of body fluid, and usually in the neighborhood of forty percent of those so afflicted will die. The other sixty percent eventually recover without treatment, but because of their weakened condition, they are "off" feed, and lose approximately one or two months of growth time.

Thus, it will be readily apparent that the frequent occurence of diarrhoea in neo-natal dairy calves is a source of considerable expense and trouble to those in the dairy industry.

The specification of our prior Patent No. 1443914 describes a dry composition for use in the drench treatment of stressed ruminant animals, comprising pregelatinized starch and smaller amounts of vitamins and minerals which are physiologically beneficial to ruminant animals, and preferably comprises also a gelling agent and/or propylene glycol, and a method for treating stresses ruminant animals which comprises administering an aqueous mixture of such a composition directly into the rumen thereof.

The present invention is based on the observation that an aqueous mixture containing pregelatinized starch alone can be used with equal success for greatly reducing and in many cases practically eliminating the incidence of diarrhoea in monogastric animals and in neo-natal rurninant animals. It is especially surprising that pregelatinized starch alone is capable of achieving this effect in essentially non-ruminant .animals (in this connection, it must be borne in mind that although a neo-natal ruminant animal has a rumen, the rumen is not yet developed to the point where it acts as such).

The present invention therefore provides a method for reducing the incidence of diarrhoea or for treating diarrhoea in monogastric animals (other than human beings) and in neo-natal ruminant animals which comprises feeding to the animals a fluid aqueous mixture containing pregelatinized starch.

With regard to monogastric animals, the invention is described below with reference to weaned pigs, but it is to be understood that the invention is equally applicable to monogastric animals in general and especially newborn monogastric animals (other than human beings) which are subject to stress which causes diarrhoea.

With regard to neo-natal ruminants, the invention is described below with reference to neo-natal dairy calves, but it is to be understood that the invention is equally applicable to other newborn ruminants.

One type of pregelatinized starch which has been used with considerable success and is therefore preferred for use in accordance with the present invention is a pure, highly refined corn starch which is pregelatinized in water, dehydrated and pulverized to a white, finely granulated solid having a uniform particle size and a moisture content of from about 3.5% to about 8.0%. The water absorbtion capacity of this pregelatinized starch is greater than 15 to 1.

Tests made to determine the effectiveness of the pregelatinized starch paste in reducing the incidence of diarrhoea in weaned pigs, and the treatment of pigs with diarrhoea using the same composition and method. have shown that treatment is most effective when started within two days of the pig being weaned from the sow. and when the amount of pregelatinized starch administered is approximately 5 grams per day, preferably in paste form.

The pregelatinized starch has been successfully administered to newly weaned pigs by mixing the starch with enough water to form a viscous paste. inserting a soft piece of rubber tubing past the trachea and into the esophagus of the animal, and then forcing the appropriate amount of pregelatinized starch paste through the tube.

In the case of neo-natal dairy calves, the treatment is most effective when the animal is fed an aqueous mixture containing about thirty grams of pregelatinized corn starch in a quart of liquid food, for example, whole milk or a so-called milk replacer product.

The fluid aqueous mixture is advantageously fed to the calf for at least its first two feedings (during one day), following its removal from being fed colostrum or first milk. For these first feedings of the mixture, a nipple and bottle (or the equivalent of a bottle) arrangement is normally used.

It has also been found that it is beneficial to the health of the animal and for substantially eliminating the incidence of diarrhoea, to feed to the new-born calf for the first two days (i.e. a total of four feedings) after being taken off colostrum milk, a complete food supplement comprising a fluid aqueous mixture of a dry food supplement containing both the ration of pregelatinized starch as well as various vitamins and minerals and protein and energy sources which are physiologically beneficial to the neo-natal ruminant animal.

The composition of such a dry food supplement, sold by Arizona Feeds, Tuscon Arizona, United States of America under the Trade Mark "Calf Booster". and which is intended to be mixed with a liquid carrier to provide two ounces of dry composition per quart of aqueous mixture, preferably contains the following components on a dry weight percentage basis.

Component Dry Weight Percentage b pregelatinized starch 55.00 .X; dextrose 12.00 dried milk product 20.00 dried egg 5.75 sodium phosphate 2.00 salt 1.00 calcium lactate 1.00 potassium chloride 1.00 vitamin premix 2.00 chelated trace minerals (ruminant) 0.25 100.00 The preferred chelated trace minerals can be obtained from Arizona Feeds, under the designation "CTM Chelated Trace Minerals (Ruminant)".

The vitamin pre-mix comprises a mixture of vitamins and minerals which are dietetically important td the health of the ruminant. Such a vitamin pre-mix can be obtained from Hoffman-Taff Inc., under the designation Ruminant Vitamin Pre-mix, and preferably includes vitamin A palmitate, D-activated animal sterol (source of Vitamin D), aipha-tocopheryl acetate, riboflavin supplement. niacin, d-pantothenic acid, vitamin B12 supplement, and choline chloride (B complex vitamin).

The following Examples illustrate the invention.

Example I A group of newly weaned feeder pigs, approximately twenty days of age and weighing between about thirteen and fifteen pounds each, were placed in steel cages and fed a 16% protein non-medicated pellet on a free choice base. Water was also available on a free choice basis.

On the first day, each pig was assigned to one of the following groups: (a) control: no pregelatinized starch, (b) 1.0 grams of pregelatinized starch per dav, and (c) 5.0 grams of pregelatinized starch per day, the pregelatinised starch being administered in a fluid aqueous mixture.

All pigs were observed for incidence of diarrhoea, and pigs with diarrhoea were immediately removed from the trial.

Set forth below are the tabulated results: Grams of Pregelatinized Starch Per Day 0 1.0 5 Number of pigs 5 5 5 Number with diarrhoea 5 2 0 Time to onset of diarrhoea hours' 36.0 48.0 4 'From the time pigs were placed in cages until diarrhoea was observed.

As shown by the tabulated results, all control pigs were observed to have diarrhoea after thirty-six hours on trial. Forty percent of the pigs given one gram of pregelatinized starch per day, had diarrhoea after forty-eight hours on trial, and five grams of pregelatinized starch per day completely prevented any diarrhoea.

Example II A further trial was conducted to determine the efficacy of the pregelatinized starch to control and stop the diarrhoea.

For this purpose, twenty newly weaned feeder pigs were separated out as soon as diarrhoea was detected.

Eight of the pigs were classified as control, and remained on normal free choice food and water, without any special medication.

The remaining twelve pigs were each fed five grams of pregelatinized starch in paste form, once a day. The twelve treated pigs fully recovered with an average treatment of forth-eight hours.

After the eight control pigs remained untreated for forty-eight hours, each was fed five grams per day of pregelatinized starch in paste form, until fully recovered. The control pigs which did not receive the pregelatinized starch until after forty-eight hours with diarrhoea, required an average of three days or three dosages before they fully recovered.

Thus, pregelatinized starch, fed to newly weaned pigs at a rate of about five grams per day, will drastically reduce the incidence of diarrhoea, and if diarrhoea occurs, will cause the diarrhoea to stop within a matter of a few days and before there is any appreciable weight loss.

Examples III and IV The results of two typical trials of day-old Holstein bull and heifer calves,, using control calves, calves fed a fluid aqueous mixture containing pregelatinized starch, and calves fed a fluid aqueous mixture containing Arizona Feeds "Calf Booster" food supplement, are tabulated below.

With the control calves, each had two feedings of colostrum milk or first milk the first day, followed by routine feedings of non-colostral milk for the duration of the trial.

For the calves fed a fluid aqueous mixture containing pregelatinized starch, each had two feedings of colostrum milk the first day, as with the control calves, and thereafter, thirty grams of pregelatinized starch was mixed into the first four feedings of non-colostral milk during the second and third days.

The calves were fed at 5:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. each day.

When diarrhoea was observed in the control calves, four ounces of Arizona Feeds "Calf Booster" supplement was added to the non-colostral milk at each feeding until the diarrhoea was stopped.

When calves being fed pregelatinized starch or "Calf Booster" supplement developed diarrhoea, they were continued on their routine test diet until the prescribed period was ended, at which time they received four ounces of Arizona Feeds "Calf Booster" supplement, at each feeding. in the same manner as with the control calves which had diarrhoea.

Example III Thirty grams of Pregelatinized Starch Control Treatment Number of calves 4 4 Number with diarrhoea 4 1 Time to onset of diarrhea, hours' 24 84 Severity of diarrhoea2 3.8 2.0 Number of calves treated for diarrhoea3 4 1 Number of calves responding to treatment 4 1 Duration of diarrhoea, hours 78 48 'From the time calves were received to the first sign of diarrhoea.

2O=firm, 1=pasty firm 2=pasty. 3=pastv water. 4=waterv.

30nce diarrhoea was confirmed. 4 ounces of Calf Booster supplement was administered at each feeding until diarrhoea was stopped.

Example IV Two Ounces of "Calf Booster" Supplement containing 30.8 grams of pregelatinized starch Control Treatment Number of calves 5 5 Number with diarrhoea 5 2 Time to onset of diarrhoea hours' 43.2 140.0 Severity of diarrhoea2 2.1 0.4 Number of calves treated for diarrhoea3 5 2 Number of calves responding to treatment 5 2 Duration of diarrhoea, hours 52.4 18.0 tFrom the time calves were received to the first sign of diarrhoea.

2O=firm, 1=pasty firm, 2=pasty, 3=pasty watery, 4=watery.

30nce diarrhoea was confirmed. 4 ounces of Calf Booster was administered at each feeding until diarrhoea was stopped.

The trials utilizing pregelatinized starch and Arizona Feed "Calf Booster" supplement in the feeding of neo-natal dairy calves, showed a substantial decrease in the incidence of diarrhoea and a significant increase in the time to onset of diarrhoea. Also, the severity of diarrhoea, measured either at the peak of diarrhoea or the average stool composition from onset of diarrhoea to the control thereof. was greatly reduced when either composition was used.

The use of two ounces of "Calf Booster" supplement for each feeding was selected on the basis that it contained approximately thirty grams of pregelatinized starch. to compare the results of the use of pregelatinized starch both with and without additional vitamins and minerals.

Comparing the results of the two trials, it appears that the use of "Calf Booster" supplement, with its combination of pregelatinized starch and nutrients, is more effective than pregelatinized starch alone for increasing the time to onset of diarrhoea, for reducing the severity of diarrhoea, and for decreasing the recovery time of subsequent treatment for diarrhoea.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A method for reducing the incidence of diarrhoea or for treating diarrhoea in a monogastric animal (other than a human being) or in a neo-natal ruminant animal, comprising feeding to the animal a fluid aqueous mixture containing pregelatinized starch.

2. A method according to claim 1. in which the pregelatinized starch is corn starch.

3. A method according to claim 1 or claim 2. in which the animal is a newly weaned pig and the pregelatinized starch is mixed with water to form a viscous paste.

4. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 3. in which the animal is a newly weaned pig and the feeding of the pregelatinized starch is started within two days after the pig is weaned from its sow.

5. A method according to claim 3 or claim 4. in which the amount of pregelatinized starch is about five grams per day.

6. A method according to claim l or claim 2. in which the animal is a neo-natal ruminant and pregelatinized starch is included in a fluid aqueous feed mixture which is fed to the animal.

7. A method according to claim 6, in which the animal is started on colostrum milk, and the pregelatinized starch is included in a fluid aqueous mixture for the first feeding following the stopping of the feeding of colostrum milk to the animal.

8. A method according to claim 7. in which the animal receives at least two feedings containing pregelatinized starch. following the feeding on colostrum milk.

9. A method according to any one of claims 6 to 8. in which the aqueous mixture includes non-colostral milk.

10. A method according to claim 7. in which the animal is fed colostrum milk for the first day.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. Example IV Two Ounces of "Calf Booster" Supplement containing 30.8 grams of pregelatinized starch Control Treatment Number of calves 5 5 Number with diarrhoea 5 2 Time to onset of diarrhoea hours' 43.2 140.0 Severity of diarrhoea2 2.1 0.4 Number of calves treated for diarrhoea3 5 2 Number of calves responding to treatment 5 2 Duration of diarrhoea, hours 52.4 18.0 tFrom the time calves were received to the first sign of diarrhoea. 2O=firm, 1=pasty firm, 2=pasty, 3=pasty watery, 4=watery. 30nce diarrhoea was confirmed. 4 ounces of Calf Booster was administered at each feeding until diarrhoea was stopped. The trials utilizing pregelatinized starch and Arizona Feed "Calf Booster" supplement in the feeding of neo-natal dairy calves, showed a substantial decrease in the incidence of diarrhoea and a significant increase in the time to onset of diarrhoea. Also, the severity of diarrhoea, measured either at the peak of diarrhoea or the average stool composition from onset of diarrhoea to the control thereof. was greatly reduced when either composition was used. The use of two ounces of "Calf Booster" supplement for each feeding was selected on the basis that it contained approximately thirty grams of pregelatinized starch. to compare the results of the use of pregelatinized starch both with and without additional vitamins and minerals. Comparing the results of the two trials, it appears that the use of "Calf Booster" supplement, with its combination of pregelatinized starch and nutrients, is more effective than pregelatinized starch alone for increasing the time to onset of diarrhoea, for reducing the severity of diarrhoea, and for decreasing the recovery time of subsequent treatment for diarrhoea. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A method for reducing the incidence of diarrhoea or for treating diarrhoea in a monogastric animal (other than a human being) or in a neo-natal ruminant animal, comprising feeding to the animal a fluid aqueous mixture containing pregelatinized starch.

11. A method according to any one of claims 6 to 10. in which the amount of

pregelatinized starch per feeding is about thirty grams.

12. A method according to claim 1, carried out substantially as hereinbefore described.