The labels have always read, “for the vaccination of healthy animals” but based on convenience, tradition and a perception of urgency, feedyards often vaccinate calves with modified live virus (MLV) vaccines upon arrival, after they’ve been weaned, commingled, loaded, shipped, shrunk and stressed.
Delayed viral vaccination, along with use of an immunostimulant, could help reduce BRD morbidity and mortality in high-risk calves, according to new research. Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc., and Bayer Animal Health collaborated on a trial managed by Veterinary Research and Consulting Services in Greeley, Colorado and led by Del Miles, DVM, MS.
Source: Bovine Veterinarian, January 2017, page 6.
In this study, the researchers concluded that delaying the MLV vaccine for 30 days resulted in a significant decrease in the number of calves requiring additional treatment for BRD.
INSIGHTS: Veterinarians and animal health pros need to understand the implications of this study for producers and for current regimes.