Herd Health

HERD HEALTH Deficiencies in Vaccine Usage in Western Canada Roy Lewis, DVM

A recent article just came out in the Canadian Veterinary Journal authored by three veterinarians including Dr. Cheryl Waldner and Dr. John Campbell from the veterinary school in Saskatoon. It was a very in-depth survey of cowcalf herds across Western Canada. In a summary, it shows decent improvement in vaccination usage over the last surveys done in the early 2000s but does still pinpoint gap areas in vaccine coverage that could be improved. There are things to be learned by every producer and veterinary consultant. We also need you the producers to spread the word to friends, neighbors and colleagues that may need some encouragement to take the next step. The need for decreasing usage of antimicrobials should encourage more producers to work with their veterinarian . When it comes to preventative procedures to diseases on our cow-calf ranches management, vaccination and biosecurity principles are the three key things to address.

If we look at calves, commonly used vaccines were clostridials where most vaccinated 85-95%. We must encourage everyone to vaccinate for clostridial disease.

Where the disconnect comes is many don’t booster, so cattle become susceptible again.

The clostridial spores are prevalent worldwide. Keep in mind replacement heifers and even more importantly if you have Redwater in your area and if you band calves you must make sure the diseases clostridium hemolyticum and tetanus are covered in the clostridial vaccines you are using. Vaccinating for the viral components of resp disease like IBR and BVD saw about an 80% usage while histophilus and the other respiratory bacteria only 50% or less. One must realize that with IBR and BVD the cow calf person is not only starting the protection for the respiratory diseases but it starts the protection for the reproductive diseases in the breeding heifers. Boostering drops substantially. A lot of these calves are sold and left up to the feedlot but if weaned at home and especially for your replacement heifers, you want to get the second shot into them ideally at the time recommended on the label. Over the years, the timing between shots has been lengthened, but if stretched too much calves become susceptible to disease. We see that with blackleg or Redwater outbreaks later in the summer with calves only vaccinated once. Also histophilus (the old hemoplilus) becoming a bigger disease in the feedlot with many calves not vaccinated or vaccinated once only. Vaccinating at the feedlot almost becomes too little too late as weaning transportation and comingling increases the transmission of the disease. Much much better to do it ahead of time. The other respiratory bacteria are starting to rise but still about 30%. With these diseases the old adage it is not a matter of if, but when these diseases will strike. Every year has different stressors with weather, crowding, introduction of new animals, nutrition that get some sick calves is inevitable. Vaccination will at least reduce the severity

Cows, we are up over 90% with the reproductive diseases such as IBR and BVD.

This is about a two-fold increase over surveys done in the early 2000s. Producers, when asked, vaccinate because they don’t want to get these reproductive diseases. Recent work has shown up to 60% less abortions with the IBR and BVD vaccines as well as an increase in pregnancy rates. Another survey done by Dr. Waldner showed an increase in pregnancy rate and decreased abortions in those herds vaccinated and current on IBR and BVD vaccines going into community pastures. Vaccination pays and we need to fit it into our management strategies at the right time.

Lastly bulls, only about ¾ vaccinate with something and clostridial disease, IBR, BVD (all respiratory viruses) and footrot all need to be considered in your vaccination program. Do it at semen checking time, that is almost ideal and the bulls are being handled then anyway.

It is promising to see the progress made in the last twenty years by cattlemen. There is room for improvement, and vaccination and other immune stimulants are the solution into the future to prevent disease in general and decreased antimicrobial usage. Take heed of these results and other vaccines or combinations are always being developed.

They are an absolute necessity in the cattle business both for the health of your cattle, but also to pass it down to the backgrounders and feedlots. This is even more critical in the purebred sector where commercial clients look to you for advice and guidance, plus the breeding bulls and heifers are used in their herds for years to come.

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