Calf Pneumonia Vaccine

Kingshay estimates that each case of pneumonia costs £43 per calf plus £29 for each calf in the rest of the group. Vet medicines are only a small part of the cost (honestly) whereas reduced growth rates/failure to thrive make up the rest. Replacement heifers that have been affected are shown to produce 350kg less milk in their first lactation. The key is to have sufficient air speed to get rid of any moisture and bring in fresh air. Most respiratory viruses survive for about 5-10 minutes in fresh air but if only 50% of the air is fresh (in a shed not adequately ventilated) then the viruses can survive for an hour or even longer – so obviously increasing the risk of infection. Fresh air also removes noxious chemicals such as ammonia which can damage the lung lining.

The intranasal vaccine can be administered to calves from as young as a week of age and reduces the clinical signs of respiratory disease and viral shedding from infection with Bovine Respiratory Syncytial Virus (BRSV) and Parainfluenza-3 Virus (Pi3V). No other UK-licensed BRD vaccine can be administered earlier in life. The vaccine also delivers the fastest on-farm protection, with an onset of immunity after administration of just 5 days for BRSV and 7 days for Pi3V. Duration of immunity is 12 weeks for both viruses.

“Having this early life calf pneumonia vaccine available in single dose vials will give farmers more practical leeway to be able to vaccinate vulnerable young calves from as young as a week of age, rather than delaying administration until a batch of calves are available. We know that early-age protection of young calves through intranasal vaccination can help prevent pneumonia and positively impact a beef or dairy calf’s productive future,” says MSD Animal Health livestock veterinary adviser Dr Kat Baxter-Smith.

Description

he early life intranasal calf pneumonia vaccine from MSD Animal Health is now available in single dose vials, giving users greater practical flexibility in vaccinating individual animals as and when needed. BOVILIS Intranasal RSP Live can be administered to calves from as young as one week of age and reduces the clinical signs of respiratory disease and viral shedding from infection with Bovine Respiratory Syncytial Virus (BRSV) and Parainfluenza-3 Virus (Pi3V). No other UK-licensed BRD vaccine can be administered earlier in life. The vaccine also delivers the fastest on-farm protection, with an onset of immunity after administration of just five days for BRSV and seven days for Pi3V, MSD says.

Duration of immunity is 12 weeks for both viruses. MSD livestock veterinary adviser Dr Kat Baxter-Smith says: “Having this early life calf pneumonia vaccine available in single dose vials will give farmers more practical leeway to be able to vaccinate vulnerable young calves from as young as a week of age, rather than delaying administration until a batch of calves are available. We know that early-age protection of young calves through intranasal vaccination can help prevent pneumonia and positively impact a beef or dairy calf’s productive future. The new single dose vials are supplied in packs of five, complementing the five dose vials already available. Farmers interested in this new early life calf pneumonia vaccine should contact their vet for further information.

Benefits of Calf Pneumonia Vaccine

Vaccination against calf pneumonia in young and growing animals is a cost-effective method when implemented as part of an overall pneumonia control plan which addresses other environmental and management factors that contribute to the spread of the disease. Selecting a vaccine which contains relevant viruses and bacteria and observing best practice when using vaccines will optimise the protection they provide.

Common vaccination regimes

VaccineSuitable forComments
Rispoval Intranasal Alone(RSV/PI3)BVD free herds, dairy and beef , good husbandry/ housing, used in combination with Hiprabovis Somni LKt to deliver gold standard protectionFrom 9 days of age, rapid protection, live vaccine, lasts about 3 months, all animals need to be vaccinated in the group, use separate nasal applicator for each calf to prevent disease spread.
Multivalent Viral(Rispoval3/4) RSV/PI3/(IBR*)/BVD*Rispoval 3 does not include IBR and can be used in herds wishing to use marker IBR vaccines/ achieve accredited statusHerds requiring broader protection, active BVD present, herds wishing to provide an element of IBR protection using a non marker IBR vaccine. 2 doses 4 weeks apartNo bacterial protection, IBR is non marker so not suitable for pedigree herds in accreditation, provides BVD protection but less relevant as more herds become BVD free. May need additional bacterial protection for optimal results in high risk herds
Combination Viral+ Bacterial ( Bovipast/ Bovalto)RSV/ PI3/ Mannheimia +BVD* Bovalto 4Dairy/ Beef/ Calf rearers wishing to control major viruses and bacteria using inactivated vaccines 2 doses 3-4 weeks apart from 3 weeks of ageBovipast established vaccine, useful in BVD free herds, popular with calf rearersBovalto new vaccine this year, similar spectrum of Rispoval 3/4 with additional bacterial protection.
Bacteria Vaccines AloneHiprabovis Somni LKtAny herd with bacterial complications with Histophilus/ Mannheimia and poor response to viral vaccines alone . 40 week protection major feature, 50% less antibiotic usage if used alongside viral vaccines. Often used in higher risk pneumonia situations ( calf rearers/ fatteners) where longer levels or protection are requiredSophisticated novel  vaccine providing real benefits when used alongside viral vaccine such as Bovalto/ Rispoval intranasal/ Rispoval 4. Improved pneumonia control indicates bacterial involvement
IBR vaccines – Hiprabovis IBR/ Bovilis IBRMarker vaccines used as part of a structured IBR control program in herd. 2 doses 3-4 weeks apart and 6 monthly boostersIBR vaccination is increasingly separate from calf hood pneumonia vaccination and given when calves are between 3-12 months of age

Prices of Calf Pneumonia Vaccine

$15.59 – $83.99

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