Vaccination of cattle: schemes and recommendations

The safety and health of farm animals is a critical aspect as they serve as leading manufacturers of the products we consume daily. Cattle are often susceptible to many different diseases, which even 2-3 hours after infection can lead to the death of the animal.

In order to prevent death and preserve the health of animals, timely vaccinations are carried out, which, regardless of the location of cattle, should be a mandatory procedure. This article offers to get acquainted with the types of vaccines, the vaccination schedule, as well as the features in the care and feeding of cattle during this period.

Types and purpose of vaccines

The only way to deal with viral infectious diseases is their prevention, which is carried out by the introduction of special drugs. Usually vaccines are used to form invulnerability to one specific pathogen. However, there are drugs aimed at acquiring invulnerability against a large number of pathogens, for which several types of viruses are combined.

Important! In no case should you be vaccinated with animals already infected with any ailment, otherwise this will provoke various complications and worsen the development of the disease.

Monovalent

Vaccines of this type contain antigens of only one specific virus. The following complex monovalent vaccines are used for prophylactic immunization of cattle:

  • “Taurus” - is included in the list of the most common; used to combat viral tracheitis, leptospirosis, viral diarrhea and parainfluenza;

  • “Combovac” is a universal preparation aimed at preventing from the main viral and bacterial diseases that can affect animals: infectious rhinotracheitis, coronavirus and rotavirus infections and parainfluenza-3;

  • Bovilis is a combovac vaccine.

Povalent

Such vaccines are a mixture of several antigens. For cattle for prophylactic purposes, mainly such povalent drugs are used:

  • associated vaccine - used to suppress ulcers and foot and mouth disease;
  • "Trichostavus" - protects against trichophytosis and numerous dermatological diseases;
  • "Nobivak" - against rabies;

  • other vaccines and serums targeting certain specific diseases.

At what age and how is routine vaccination carried out?

It is necessary to vaccinate calves from a very early age, since the maternal immunity that the baby receives with milk does not last long. Vaccinations are carried out in a certain sequence: first, in order to develop acquired immunity, and then from the main causative agents of respiratory diseases.

A separate type of vaccination is done when the calf reaches the age necessary for a particular vaccine. In the future, after the lapse of time, revaccination is organized - a secondary vaccination to strengthen the animal's immunity to diseases.

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It is generally accepted that the best option for vaccinating calves is the use of complex monovalent vaccines, the function of which is to protect against one specific disease. This allows you to profitably reduce the cost of numerous preventive measures, and strict adherence to the schedule and requirements of complex vaccination provides reliable and long-term protection of the livestock.

For the first time, such a procedure is performed when the calf is 1.5 months old (followed by revaccination with an interval of 3 weeks). When the calf reaches 6 months, a rabies vaccination is given. This is a one-time event that does not require a repeated procedure during this period.

Cattle vaccination schedule

Vaccination of cattle is most often caused by the most common diseases of the area in which it is contained, but vaccination of animals against the most dangerous diseases is carried out regardless of the habitat.

Separate vaccinations are needed only for calves, and adult cows no longer need them, since only one vaccination is enough. To carry out the procedures in the right sequence, that is, after equal intervals of time, you must adhere to the vaccination schedule. What vaccine should be administered to animals, at what age and in what doses?

At the age of 12-18 days

Newborn calves must be vaccinated against such bacterial diseases as infectious rhinotracheitis, parainfluenza, and respiratory syncytial infection. The drug used at this age is called Bovilis. For each disease, there is a separate subspecies of this vaccine and different doses administered to animals.

Learn more about the symptoms and treatment of cattle infectious rhinotracheitis.

Against Infectious Rhinotracheitis

Infectious rhinotracheitis is an acute viral disease accompanied by fever, damage to the respiratory system, conjunctivitis and general malaise of the animal.

Cattle of all breeds and ages is susceptible to this virus, and most often it spreads in places of excessive concentration of animals. The underlying factors for the development of the disease can be adverse conditions for cattle, violation of veterinary rules and feeding.

The disease is very contagious, therefore, upon detection of its first signs, quarantine is urgently introduced and additional preventive measures are taken, treatment of the infected and vaccination of healthy animals is carried out.

In order to prevent the disease, a live labeled vaccine called “Bovilis IBR” with intranasal labeling is used. The required dosage is 1 ml in each nostril, first at 12 days of age, and after 25 days, revaccination is carried out.

Parainfluenza-3

Parainfluenza-3 is a contagious viral disease, also referred to as "transport fever" of cattle (mainly calves). It is characterized by damage to the respiratory system, often leading to severe damage to the lungs, as well as to the organs of the abdominal cavity. The virus does not have much vitality, and high temperature quickly deactivates it.

The disease can be combined with other bacterial agents (in particular, with the diarrhea, salmonella, pasteurella and infectious rhinotracheitis viruses).

In order to prevent the disease, an inactivated vaccine called “Bovilis Bovipast RSP” is used. In the case of the use of this subspecies of the drug, a single dose will be 5 ml (administered subcutaneously).

Respiratory syncytial infection

Respiratory syncytial infection is one of the most common infectious diseases affecting young cattle. It manifests itself in the form of fever and pneumonia. The PC virus is often exacerbated by mixing with another virus and bacteria.

Symptoms of the disease, as a rule, are poorly expressed and at first may not be noticeable due to various complicating factors (for example, the environment in which the animals are kept, their condition, and the presence of secondary infectious agents). Sources of infection are other sick animals.

During treatment, the same vaccine is used (Bovilis Bovipast RSP), the instructions for use are similar to those for parainfluenza.

Did you know? Contrary to popular belief, cows are very sensual animals. They have developed a sense of affection towards their relatives, which is expressed in licking each other. And they know how to cry.

At the age of 40–45 days

The most significant period in the entire vaccination schedule. Most of all this applies to those farms in which epidemics of animal diseases have already been noted, therefore, a secondary vaccination procedure is required as soon as possible. At this time, secondary immunoprophylaxis against parainfluenza and RSI is performed. Vaccines are also given for lichen, pasteurellosis, ulcers, salmonella and leptospirosis.

PG-3

Parainfluenza revaccination is carried out with the Bovilis Bovipast RSP vaccine 2 weeks after the previous vaccination procedure (at a dose of 5 ml subcutaneously in the middle third of the neck). Immunity is formed within 2 weeks after the first vaccination, after re-vaccination, immunity lasts about 6 months.

An alternative could also be the use of the Taurus monovalent vaccine, which is administered to the calf by subcutaneous injection at a dose of 1 cc. see Slaughter of vaccinated animals is allowed a week after vaccination, and livestock products can be used without any restrictions.

RCI

If a private farmer or the owner of the livestock complex thoroughly engaged in immunization of the livestock, in this case, already at the age of 40 days, the calves should be vaccinated for the second time with RSI using the Bovilis Bovipast RSP vaccine in the same dosage.

Pasteurellosa

Pasteurellosis is an extremely common viral disease that can lead to death in just a few days. Moreover, malaise can be transmitted by airborne droplets to other pets and even to humans, which makes it doubly dangerous, which means that it requires urgent preventive measures.

With the progression of this disease in animals, there is a high temperature, pneumonia, depression, refusal of food, conjunctivitis and the disappearance of milk.

Find out more

Cattle Pasteurellosis: Symptoms and Treatment

The virus itself is not resistant to external stimuli and is transmitted mainly through direct contact.

Primary infectious pathogens, which significantly weaken the immune system, as well as a poor diet and frequent transportation of animals, can contribute to the development of the disease.

For prophylaxis, an emulsified multivalent vaccine against pasteurellosis is vaccinated, which ensures the creation of immunity 12 days after vaccination and retains it for up to 12 months, after which the procedure is repeated.

The vaccine is administered to the region of the middle third of the neck at a dose of only 3 ml (1.5 ml on both sides), and then clinical observation of the animals is carried out for a week.

Salmonellosis

Salmonellosis is an acute infectious disease; affects young cattle. The abdominal organs, the immune system and the lungs suffer. In the acute stage of the development of the disease, fever and gastroenteritis are also observed, and in the chronic - pneumonia.

It is calves that are particularly prone to salmonellosis, but adult animals are also affected, whose symptoms are often blurred (they are often the source of infection).

Salmonella bacteria are quite resistant in the external environment and can endure various negative effects for a long time. As a result, even care items become the cause of the pathogen.

For the prevention of salmonellosis, a concentrated formolvac vaccine is used, which is administered to the calves subcutaneously at the age of 1.5 months. The dosage is 10 ml. Pregnant cows are also immunized according to the following scheme: the first time - 60 days before calving at a dose of 10 ml, and the second - after a week (at a dose of 15 ml).

Against ringworm

Ringworm (or trichophytosis) is a fungal disease that affects the skin of an animal. It manifests itself in the form of small tubercles, mainly in the neck, back and chest, which then turn into wounds of various sizes.

At the initial stage, suspicions should cause symptoms such as itching and peeling of the skin of the animal, which is then covered with a gray crust, and the hair in the affected areas becomes dull and disheveled.

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The causative agents of the disease are incredibly persistent in the external environment and on the affected coat are able to live for more than 7 years.

Reproduction of the pathogenic fungus subsequently leads to baldness of significant areas of the skin, and also negatively affects the growth and development of young individuals.

Sick adult cows become lethargic, lose their appetite and productivity.

To prevent the disease, LTF-130 and TF-130 vaccines are used : first, at the age of 2 months, intramuscularly at a dose of 5 ml, then after 6 months, a booster dose of 10 ml should be given.

Anthrax

Anthrax is an acute infectious disease that can affect cattle of all breeds and ages. The main signs of the disease are the formation of carbuncles, swelling and severe intoxication of the animal. The probability of death even taking into account timely measures and treatment is more than 70%, which makes this ailment especially dangerous.

The main source of infection is the corpse of an animal affected by anthrax, since all its organs and tissues, as well as bloody fluid that leaked during the process of agony, are full of bacilli, so an autopsy is unacceptable.

The calves are inoculated with a live spore vaccine against anthrax, first at 3 months of age, after which they are re-vaccinated when the animal reaches 15 months of age. At the initial inoculation, the dosage of the drug will be 1 ml subcutaneously, and in the case of revaccination it will increase to 2.5 ml.

Important! After the procedure, the injection site must be carefully rubbed to avoid stagnation of the drug at one specific point.

Leptospirosis

Leptospirosis is a very unpleasant bacterial disease characterized by damage to internal organs, fever, swelling and a sharp decrease in the weight of the animal. Of particular danger to young and pregnant individuals.

The probability of a fatal outcome in calves is almost 100%, since the disease proceeds with lightning speed and takes the life of young animals in just a few days. Infection occurs when grazing, in a stall, often the transfer of microorganisms is carried out with natural and artificial insemination.

In order to prevent illness, animals are vaccinated with the special polyvalent vaccine “VGNKI” against leptospirosis (the first time - at the age of 40 days, followed by revaccination after 6 months).

The dose of the drug will initially be 4 ml (administered subcutaneously), and in case of booster vaccination it can be increased by 2-3 times.

Vaccination measures are not carried out among individuals in the last month of pregnancy and the first week after birth; animals can only be vaccinated after this time.

From 6 months

The third period of vaccination is the best time to vaccinate animals from new, no less dangerous diseases. The strengthened body of young animals at this stage will be ready for the following vaccination procedures, which reduces the risk of unwanted side effects after the last vaccination.

Did you know? Over the course of its life, a cow gives about 250 thousand glasses of milk, and a herd of 60 cows can produce a ton of milk in just one day.

In a difficult epizootic situation in the stall, studies and vaccinations of animals against diseases such as foot and mouth disease, rabies, brucellosis and nodular dermatitis are mandatory.

During this period, it is advisable to vaccinate young growth from necrobacteriosis, mycoplasmosis and escherichiosis, because these diseases can provoke weakening of the immune system and act as primary infectious pathogens for more dangerous and fatal ailments.

Against necrobacteriosis, which is characterized by damage to the limbs of animals, a vaccine called Nekovak is used, which is administered twice in a dose of 5 ml subcutaneously with an interval of 35 days.

Against Escherichiosis, accompanied by damage to the organs of the gastrointestinal tract, severe intoxication and dehydration, a special multivalent vaccine “Kolivak” is used, which is administered intramuscularly at a dose of 2 ml, then after 15 days the vaccination should be done again.

As for mycoplasmosis, for this disease, which occurs most often with primary infectious pathogens, a separate high-quality vaccine is not provided, therefore, calves are inoculated with an associated multivalent vaccine, after consulting with a specialist.

Against foot and mouth disease

Foot and mouth disease is a bacterial disease that occurs with short-term intoxication and ulcerative lesions of the oral and nasal cavities, as well as the skin of the udder. Often noted lameness. The source of infection are patients and animals who have had one type of foot and mouth disease. The virus is quite stable in the environment and in the secretions of infected animals can be kept for about 170 days.

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Cattle foot and mouth disease: symptoms and treatment

Young growth is considered the most susceptible to the disease, in which the disease most often proceeds acutely.

If complications in the form of primary infectious pathogens are added to foot and mouth disease, the probability of death will be almost 100%.

Inoculate animals with a monovalent vaccine against foot and mouth disease type A, O, C or "Asia-1" (depending on the subspecies of the disease). The vaccine is administered strictly subcutaneously in a dose of 2.5 ml for the first time at the age of 6 months, followed by revaccination after 2 months.

From rabies

Бешенство — один из наиболее опасных смертельных недугов, которым чаще всего подвержен КРС, а при незащищённом контакте с заражённым поголовьем и человек. Характеризуется данная болезнь поражением нервной системы, первичными показателями могут быть агрессия по отношению к окружающим животным, чрезмерное потоотделение и мочеиспускание, обильное слюнотечение.

При спокойной форме протекания болезнь проходит бессимптомно, отмечаются вялость, отсутствие аппетита, проблемы с глотанием и исчезновение молока. Оба случая (как буйный, так и спокойный) приводят к летальному исходу в течение двух-трёх дней с предшествующей парализацией сначала челюсти, затем конечностей.

В третьем периоде вакцинации предустановлена прививка и против этого недуга. Выходом из ситуации послужит инактивированная сухая вакцина из штамма «Щёлково-51» (Рабиков). Для иммунологической профилактики препарат вводится животным подкожно в дозе 5 мл дважды, с интервалом в 25 дней. Ревакцинация проводится спустя 2 года.

Против бруцеллёза

Бруцеллёз — это крайне опасное бактериальное заболевание, симптомами которого являются поражение половой, сердечно-сосудистой и нервной систем животного. При прогрессировании недуга может наблюдаться поражение внутренних органов, а именно: печени, селезёнки и почек. Бруцеллёз по своим внешним проявлениям чрезвычайно схож с туберкулёзом, поэтому перед постановкой диагноза важно провести специальное исследование и сделать анализы.

Заражаются животные по-разному, однако чаще всего источниками инфекций могут послужить предметы ухода, на которых поселяются болезнетворные бактерии. Первичным возбудителем болезни является мастит — нарушение, поражающее вымя КРС вследствие несоблюдения правил гигиены при кормлении и уходе.

Читайте подробнее, как лечить мастит у коровы.

Молоко заражённого этим недугом животного непригодно к употреблению, поэтому очень важно своевременно провести мероприятие по его излечению, а лучше предупредить болезнь профилактическими мерами. Защитить корову от мастита можно при помощи вакцины «Мастивак», которая вводится нетелям подкожно в дозе 6 мл в возрасте 6 месяцев с повторной прививкой спустя 2 недели.

Что касается бруцеллёза, то для его предотвращения целесообразно использовать живую сухую вакцину против бруцеллёза из штамма 19. Препарат вводится подкожно в дозе 2 мл.

Против нодулярного дерматита

Нодулярный дерматит — инфекционная болезнь кожного покрова КРС, для которой характерны поражение слизистых оболочек животного, образование гнойных бугорков, лихорадка и значительное снижение продуктивности. Болезнь может себя проявлять как в острой, так и хронической форме. Любая из них способна привести к смерти уже спустя неделю после заражения.

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How to treat nodular dermatitis in cows

Возникновение заболевания связано по большей части с неправильным уходом и содержанием. Грязное старое оборудование, некачественный корм и игнорирование наличия паразитов у животных приводит к повреждению кожного покрова и, в итоге, к дерматиту.

Вакцина против недуга ещё находится в стадии разработки. В основном, применяются такие профилактические меры как дезинфекция и выполнение ветеринарно-санитарных правил содержания животных.

Для иммунизации КРС используют штаммы вируса оспы овец, которые вводятся подкожно в приблизительной дозировке 10 мл, повторная вакцинация не требуется. Такой способ формирует иммунитет к дерматиту, который сохраняется до года.

Можно ли делать прививки стельным коровам

Во время беременности коровы вакцинация допускается, но не позднее чем за два месяца до отёла. Не рекомендуется профилактическая иммунизация против сибирской язвы, её лучше отложить и провести через месяц после родов. В список вещей, которые могут негативно сказаться на здоровье стельной коровы и телёнка, также входит взятие крови на лейкоз и бруцеллёз (с этим тоже следует повременить и подождать до окончания отёла).

Additional tips

В период вакцинации организм животных особенно ослаблен и нуждается в более тщательном уходе и профилактических мероприятиях. К числу таких относятся:

  • ежедневный осмотр ветеринара;
  • уборка и дезинфекция стойла (желательно каждый день);
  • доскональное и своевременное соблюдение всех гигиенических процедур, а также особый уход за выменем, которое надо регулярно осматривать и массажировать после вакцинации от мастита (это самая важная составляющая здоровья животных);
  • чистота помещения, воздуха и соответствующего оборудования в начальный период жизни телёнка, поскольку неокрепший организм молодняка очень чувствителен к внешним негативным воздействиям, особенно после прививания. Необходимо обеспечить телят сухой подстилкой, чтобы не допустить размножения болезнетворных бактерий;
  • рацион животных, который должен быть хорошо сбалансирован и подобран таким образом, чтобы насытить коров необходимыми витаминами, но при этом не содержащий лишней энергии. Лучше всего в период вакцинации подойдут специальные кормовые добавки (к примеру, анионные соли), которые отрегулируют в крови животных нужный уровень кальция, вследствие попадания в организм инородных тел вакцины он существенно снизится.

Вышеописанные процедуры иммунизации являются обязательным условием для владельцев животноводческих комплексов. Продукты убоя (а именно: мясо, молоко и шкура заражённого животного) могут быть крайне опасны для человека, поэтому своевременно проведённые исследования и правильно исполненная схема вакцинации убережёт владельцев КРС от многочисленных затратных мероприятий по лечению и сохранит здоровье и продуктивность животных.

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