Cattle Vaccination Flashcards

Flashcards on Cattle Vaccinations

Purpose of Vaccination

Animals are given vaccines to raise individual and herd resistance to a selected disease challenge.

Calf's Immune System

Limited at birth; resistance depends on maternal antibodies from cow's colostrum.

Non-specific resistance

Acts against low-level infection in general.

Specific resistance

Acts against specific infectious agents.

Colostrum Absorption

Can only be absorbed by the calf in the first 24 hours of life.

Vaccines and Colostrum Quality

Given to cows at the proper time to provide specific antibodies in colostrum.

Maternal Antibodies

Expected to protect the calf for 4-5 months after birth.

Maternal Antibody Interference

In the presence of maternal antibodies, most vaccines will not trigger immunity in the calf.

MLV vaccines in the absence of maternal antibodies

Will multiply and stimulate a high antibody response and trigger memory cells; 2nd dose not required.

Non-replicating MLV or killed vaccines in the absence of maternal antibodies

Will trigger memory cell formation, but require at least 1 additional dose in 21 days to stimulate a high level of resistance.

Intranasal vaccines in the absence of maternal antibodies

Will trigger memory cell formation and stimulate localized antibody production; one dose will achieve high disease resistance.

Vaccination Timing

Usually begin to vaccinate at 4 months of age.

Peak Resistance Levels

Achieved immediately before a disease challenge.

Disease challenges in cattle

Calf scours, weaning, stressful times (movement, market, breeding/gestation).

Maternal antibody interference as a vaccine limitation

Young calves that received adequate colostrum will not respond to most vaccines.

Modified live vaccines (MLV) restrictions

Should not be given to pregnant cattle or nursing calves due to the possibility of abortion and lower conception rates.

Clostridia Vaccines

Administered to all cattle exposed to pasture; vaccinate calves starting at 4 months, requires booster (killed bacterin).

Clostridium chauveoi-Blackleg

Causes skeletal muscle necrosis after ingestion.

Clostridium septicum- Malignant edema

Causes swelling and necrosis after entering through wounds.

Clostridium perfringens type D- Enterotoxemia

Causes diarrhea leading to sepsis after ingestion; associated with excessive intake of carbohydrates.

Clostridium tetani- Tetanus

Enters through wounds, especially if calves are banded instead of castrated.

Viruses associated with Bovine Respiratory Disease

Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR), Bovine Viral Diarrhea (BVD), Parainfluenza Type 3 (PI3), Bovine Respiratory Syncytial Virus (BRSV).

Bacteria associated with Bovine Respiratory Disease

Pasteurella multocida, Mannheimia haemolytica, Haemophilus somnus, +/- Mycoplasma bovis.

BRD Vaccines for Calves

Vaccinated prior to weaning and given a booster (depending on products used)

BRD Vaccines for Adult Cows

Vaccinated annually prior to breeding and may be given a booster during pregnancy with a killed vaccine

Parainfluenza-type 3 (PI3)

Mild disease when uncomplicated but predisposes respiratory tract to other microbes

Bovine Respiratory Syncytial Virus (BRSV)

Frequently seen in young calves, affinity for lower respiratory tract

Pasteurella multocida, Mannheimia haemolytica (was Pasteurella haemolytica), Histophilus somnus (was Haemophilus somnus)

The 'BIG THREE' bacteria are normal inhabitants of the upper respiratory tract, but NOT the lower respiratory tract- “opportunistic” pathogens

Leptospira Vaccine

Transmitted by urine-oral route, causes abortion, cattle should be vaccinated prior to breeding.

Campylobacter fetus Vaccine

AKA Vibrio-venereal disease- causes abortion, cattle should be vaccinated prior to breeding if exposed to bull (bull should also be vaccinated)

Brucella abortus

Venereal disease or exposure to the infected placenta that causes abortion, vaccinate heifer calves between 4-12 months of age

Calf diarrhea vaccines

Rotavirus, Coronavirus, E. coli – strain K99, Salmonella dublin, typhimurium.

Timing of vaccination for calf diarrhea vaccine

Given to cows six and three weeks prior to calving help boost the production of antibodies to be passed in colostrum to calves.

Rabies Vaccine

Labeled for horses, cattle, and sheep; no FDA approved rabies vaccine for goats - can give large animal rabies vaccine (extra-label use)