Institute of Arctic Biology
Veterinary Services


VETERINARY PREVENTIVE MEDICINE PROGRAM

STANDARD UNGULATE CALF BIRTH PROTOCOLS

Handle within 12 hours of birth but after 1 or more good nursing bouts.
Experimental protocols may vary.

Muskox calf birth protocol

  1. Start a medical record and fill out the birth record sheet
  2. Weigh
  3. Swab or dip navel with full strength betadine solution
  4. Oral ScourGuard 99 (full 10ml dose) or generic equivalent
  5. Oral CalfGuard (rota/corona vaccine)
  6. Prophylactic antibiotics to prevent neonatal colibacillosis in muskox calves:
    48 hours after birth initiate Sulfa/Trimethoprim (SMZ/TMPR) 1ml/5kg (11lb) per os every 24 hours for 7 days (once treatment is started you must finish it unless otherwise directed). Contact the veterinarian if the calf shows any signs of lethargy or diarrhea.

Reindeer/Caribou birth protocol

  1. Start a medical record and fill out the birth record sheet
  2. Weigh
  3. Swab or dip navel with full strength betadine solution Oral ScourGuard 99 (5ml only -- this is half the container) or generic equivalent
  4. Oral CalfGuard (rota/corona vaccine)
  5. If ear tags are going to be put on now wipe the ear with dilute Nolvasan solution prior to using the punch