Beef IQ Herd Health – Vaccination & Disease Prevention

Beef IQ Herd Health –

Vaccination & Disease Prevention

Jeremy Powell, DVM, PhDAssociate Professor

University of ArkansasDept. of Animal Science

Basic Principles of Immunology

TheTheImmuneImmune SystemSystem

INNATEINNATENOT antigen specificNOT antigen specificNO memoryNO memory

ACQUIREDACQUIREDAntigen specificAntigen specificMemoryMemory

Innate Immune System

• Physical barriers – skin, mm

• Chemical protection – tears, saliva, acid

• Primary cell types– Myeloid cells

• Neutrophils

• Eosinophils

• Basophils

– Macrophages

Measured by: Differential cell numbers Chemotactic activity Phagocytic activity

Acquired Immune System

• Cellular Immune Response– T lymphocytes

• TH

• TC

• Humoral Immune Response– B lymphocytes (Plasma cells)

Longer Lasting

Antibody production

Acquired Immunity

• Active immunity– Natural– Artificial

• Passive immunity

Biologicals and Pharmaceuticals

Biologicals and Pharmaceuticals• Biologicals

– Made up of bacterins and vaccines– A bacterin/vaccine is a suspension of killed or

weakened microorganisms• Killed Vaccine

– Has no self-replicating microorganisms

• Modified Live Vaccines– Contain microorganisms that have been weakened through

culturing and laboratory procedures

Biologicals and Pharmaceuticals

• Pharmaceuticals:– Are medicinal drugs.– Contain no live or killed microorganisms– Are used to treat a variety of health related

conditions– Almost every pharmaceutical has a withdrawal

period– Example: Antibiotics such as LA-200

Types of Drug Use• Labeled Use: Using the drug EXACTLY as it is specified on

this label. Medicated feed may only be used as directed by the label. Labeled use is legal and the type of use most producers use!

• Off Label: The PRODUCER uses drugs on their own in a manner other than what is stated on the label without veterinarian guidance. This is ILLEGAL!!

• Extra Label: The VETERINARIAN prescribes a drug to be used in a manner other than what’s on the label. This is legal and is used when a good veterinarian-client-patient relationship exists.

Vaccination• Vaccination is a good “protection” tool• Active immunity engaged through vaccinations

with biologicals• Vaccination is for prevention of disease

– Prevention of disease is cheaper than treatment of disease

Points to Ponder

• Best Time to Vaccinate??• When do you need the most protection?• Before disease exposure occurs

– Takes 5-7 days for protection with most modified-live vaccines

– Killed vaccines require a booster within 2-4 weeks of initial vaccination to obtain adequate protection levels

• Don’t expect to vaccinate one day and get protection the next day

Points to Consider?• What kind of vaccine?

– Killed – Modified-Live– Autogenous

• Advantages vs. Disadvantages

Killed Vaccines

• Viruses, bacterins, toxoids– 1st dose to sensitize– 2nd dose to produce immunity

• Two doses required

Two dose response curve

Killed Vaccine

• Advantages– Does not replicate in the animal– Safer to use in pregnant animals

• Disadvantages– Most require boosters– Tissue irritation at vaccination site

Modified-Live Vaccines

• Advantages– Usu. requires one injection– Lower $$$, smaller dose– Less irritation at injection site– Longer immunity

• Disadvantages– May cause abortion in pregnant animals– Shouldn’t use on calves nursing preg. cows– Stress from mild form of disease

Reasons forVaccine Failure

• Human Error:– Not following directions on the label!– Disinfectant used on syringes – Mixing several products together– Vaccinating at the wrong time – interval

More Reasons for Vaccine Failure

• Vaccine Factors:– Improper storage of vaccine– Use and restore

More Reasons for Vaccine Failure

• Host Factors:– Some animals don’t respond

More Reasons for Vaccine Failure

• Host Factors:– Severe challenge

Recommended & Optional Vaccines

• Vaccine & est. cost per head: – Recommended:– 5-Way (IBR, BVD, PI3, BRSV) = $1.50 (all)– Blackleg (7-way) = $0.45 (all)– Leptospirosis & Vibriosis = $0.75 (cows)– Optional:– Pasteurella = $2.20 (calves)– Scours = $3.20 (cows)– Pinkeye = $0.85 (all)

Why Precondition?• Opportunity to profits• Benefits Both Buyer and Seller

– Seller will receive additional value on calves – Buyer realizes improved health and gain

performance

• Improve the welfare of our cattle

Pre-Con Protocol• Requirements differ between sales

– Wean Vac vs. VAC 45

• Process 2-4 wks before wean or at wean• 5-way: IBR, BVD Types 1&2, PI-3, BRSV• Blackleg – 7 way or 8 way• Past./H.somnus• Dewormer• Castrating, dehorn• Revac. in 2-6 wks.

Economics of Preconditioning Outcome of AR Precon Calf sales

Cost & Returns Value/calf

Gross Return $88.99

Death Loss - $0

Labor - $6.87

Veterinary Costs - $17.83

Other costs - $10.19

Hay/Feed/Mineral/Pasture

- $33.10

Total Net Return $21.00