Livestock Nov 2008 Newsletter
Bluetongue Update
First deliveries of vaccine are expected today, interest has been very high all during last week about vaccinating schedules. A 6 month window exists to allow livestock owner’s time to vaccinate their animals at a time that suits them best. At the minute it looks like the majority of sheep will be vaccinated in the middle of their pregnancy, probably to co-incide with scanning. Spring calving cows are probably going to get their primary vaccination in December, with the booster 4 weeks later. For cows still being mated some farmers are considering leaving vaccination until the bulls are pulled from the cows. If you have any questions at all about how and when to vaccinate or any other issues please don’t hesitate to give your usual vet a call. Some other points are:
Bull Bio-security
Having been at the recent bull sales it is easy to see why disease can spread easily in these animals, especially if they have never been exposed/vaccinated to the major infectious diseases. Ready face to face contact, crowded collection rings and no segregation between the ultra healthy and those with no health status = major bio-security risk for the buyer, and possibly the vendor if the bull returns home for any reason. So what best to do?
A major risk is BVD – the SAC health declaration is rock solid in making sure that the bull you buy will not be a PI animal – that is, permanently infected with the virus. Bulls with no official health declaration carry no such guarantees and whilst it is very unlikely that any PI animals would be fit for sale, it could happen, and also animals that are transiently infected with BVD virus could carry the disease onto your farm, and that is one disease you do not want in your cattle. Similar story with IBR, negative bulls are very much at risk of picking up the disease at sales. Pneumonia outbreaks in closed herds have been traced back to IBR positive bulls, often the only animals bought onto the farm. Usually buyers beware in these situations. What can you do?
Late Calf Pneumonia Vaccination
The terrible autumn has held back getting calves prepared for housing, in some cases the sheds are still full of grain. One solution to help control pneumonia might be to use a nasal vaccine at housing if you feel it is too late to get 2 doses of a conventional respiratory vaccine into your calves. Rispoval Intranasal covers RSV and PI3 virus infections, can be used from 3 weeks of age and lasts at least 9 weeks. It may help dig you out of a hole if time is running out. It would be best given 10 days or so before housing/transport/weaning, in reality it is usually done at housing and does seem to help, particularly in younger calves. It does not protect against BVD or IBR, so if you do not know your BVD status or if you buy in cattle, especially market stores, then this vaccine is not comprehensive enough for your farm. Again ask your usual vet for advice and help.
Draxxin Field Experience Survey
Pfizer are running a limited survey using the antibiotic Draxxin to treat outbreaks of pneumonia in calves. All livestock farms are suitable for the survey. To qualify for the survey 5 or more calves must be affected by pneumonia on the start date – they will have a cough, nasal discharge and breathing deeper/faster. Your vet must examine the animals and then prescribe Draxxin if that is considered a suitable treatment. The price of the antibiotic will be included in the survey; the farmer is responsible for the visit/vet time. The farm has to fill in a very simple progress card about the response/convenience and overall satisfaction. The survey form is very straightforward and will not be a burden. Antibiotic costs are covered and as they usually account for a large chunk of the outbreak costs, so this is a chance to reduce your costs if an outbreak occurs. If you are interested and have suitable cases give the clinics a call and tell them you are keen to get involved in the Draxxin Field Experience Survey.
First deliveries of vaccine are expected today, interest has been very high all during last week about vaccinating schedules. A 6 month window exists to allow livestock owner’s time to vaccinate their animals at a time that suits them best. At the minute it looks like the majority of sheep will be vaccinated in the middle of their pregnancy, probably to co-incide with scanning. Spring calving cows are probably going to get their primary vaccination in December, with the booster 4 weeks later. For cows still being mated some farmers are considering leaving vaccination until the bulls are pulled from the cows. If you have any questions at all about how and when to vaccinate or any other issues please don’t hesitate to give your usual vet a call. Some other points are:
- Border vets are having a BTV8 meeting on Tuesday 11th November with the SG and Merial. If you have any burning questions please let us know and we will raise the points. Farmer meetings following similar lines are to be arranged soon.
- 12 million doses of vaccine have been ordered, sufficient for the target animals in Scotland. Only a limited amount of wastage has been factored into this amount, so please try and make best use of vaccine you have ordered. This may mean using excess doses after vaccinating cows on for example hoggs or weaned calves, but remember the conditions of use – use within 8 hours of opening and store all bottles between 2-8 degrees C.
- To ensure continuous supply it is best to order your total cattle doses needed on the one order form (i.e. order primary and booster injections on the same order form). Also remember that you can order vaccine for different animals at different times of the campaign but that a new order form must be sent for each separate order.
Bull Bio-security
Having been at the recent bull sales it is easy to see why disease can spread easily in these animals, especially if they have never been exposed/vaccinated to the major infectious diseases. Ready face to face contact, crowded collection rings and no segregation between the ultra healthy and those with no health status = major bio-security risk for the buyer, and possibly the vendor if the bull returns home for any reason. So what best to do?
A major risk is BVD – the SAC health declaration is rock solid in making sure that the bull you buy will not be a PI animal – that is, permanently infected with the virus. Bulls with no official health declaration carry no such guarantees and whilst it is very unlikely that any PI animals would be fit for sale, it could happen, and also animals that are transiently infected with BVD virus could carry the disease onto your farm, and that is one disease you do not want in your cattle. Similar story with IBR, negative bulls are very much at risk of picking up the disease at sales. Pneumonia outbreaks in closed herds have been traced back to IBR positive bulls, often the only animals bought onto the farm. Usually buyers beware in these situations. What can you do?
- Buy animals with a certified health status, negative for IBR and BVD.
- Isolate for 3 weeks then blood test – big risk is negative bulls that then test positive for BVD, IBR or both! Depending on results the bulls may need further isolation. Better to find out now than let the infections into the herd.
- Bulls testing positive for BVD antibody with no vaccination history should have semen screened for BVD virus whilst still in isolation.
Late Calf Pneumonia Vaccination
The terrible autumn has held back getting calves prepared for housing, in some cases the sheds are still full of grain. One solution to help control pneumonia might be to use a nasal vaccine at housing if you feel it is too late to get 2 doses of a conventional respiratory vaccine into your calves. Rispoval Intranasal covers RSV and PI3 virus infections, can be used from 3 weeks of age and lasts at least 9 weeks. It may help dig you out of a hole if time is running out. It would be best given 10 days or so before housing/transport/weaning, in reality it is usually done at housing and does seem to help, particularly in younger calves. It does not protect against BVD or IBR, so if you do not know your BVD status or if you buy in cattle, especially market stores, then this vaccine is not comprehensive enough for your farm. Again ask your usual vet for advice and help.
Draxxin Field Experience Survey
Pfizer are running a limited survey using the antibiotic Draxxin to treat outbreaks of pneumonia in calves. All livestock farms are suitable for the survey. To qualify for the survey 5 or more calves must be affected by pneumonia on the start date – they will have a cough, nasal discharge and breathing deeper/faster. Your vet must examine the animals and then prescribe Draxxin if that is considered a suitable treatment. The price of the antibiotic will be included in the survey; the farmer is responsible for the visit/vet time. The farm has to fill in a very simple progress card about the response/convenience and overall satisfaction. The survey form is very straightforward and will not be a burden. Antibiotic costs are covered and as they usually account for a large chunk of the outbreak costs, so this is a chance to reduce your costs if an outbreak occurs. If you are interested and have suitable cases give the clinics a call and tell them you are keen to get involved in the Draxxin Field Experience Survey.