PRE-CALVING VACCINES FOR COWS AND HEIFERS:

Cows being calved through a corral-shed system or if you have had scour
problems should be vaccinated with ScourGuard 4kc, ScourBos 4 or
9 or Guardian 6-8 weeks pre-calving. Heifers will need one dose 6-8 weeks precalving and a second dose one month prior to calving. Some producers choose
to give one dose a month prior to calving and a second at the start of calving
since the majority of concerns with scours occur towards the end of calving.
Heifers prior to first breeding:
Heifers should be vaccinated with PregGuard FP10 30-60 days prior to
breeding. Vaccinating with PregGuard FP10 less than 30 days prior to breeding
will cause enough inflammation in the ovaries to prevent conception in the first
cycle for some of the heifers.
This would be a good time to deworm the heifers if you deworm in the
spring. Injectable
Dectomaxis
our
recommendation,
but Dectomax, Cydectin or Ivomec pour-on may be used as well.
Calves at Branding:
Calves at branding time should receive Pyramid 5 and Ultrabac 7 vaccines.
Alternatively, you may choose to use an intranasal vaccine such as Inforce
III instead of Pyramid 5, but you still need to give the Ultrabac 7.
Deworming calves with injectable Dectomax at branding may increase pounds
sold at weaning.
Cows at Branding Time/Pre-breeding:
If branding is 30 days or more prior to bull turn out then giving a PregGuard
FP10 vaccine is ideal.
This is also a great time to use Dectomax, Cydectin or Ivomec as an antiparaciticide (dewormer).
Calves at Preconditioning:

3-6 weeks prior to weaning or shipping all calves should be given Pyramid 5
with Presponse SQand Ultrabac 7 with Somubac

Calves being retained at weaning:

Calves at weaning should be given a second dose of Pyramid 5. If the calves
were not preconditioned they should get Pyramid 5+Presponse SQ and a dose
of Ultrabac 7 with Somubac
Cows and Heifers at pregnancy check time:
The best option is to use PregGuard FP10, but only if the cows and heifers
have had it on a regular basis or at least prior to this years breeding. This is a
modified live vaccine and gives great immunity.
If they have not been vaccinated pre-breeding with a modified live vaccine or
have not been regularly getting a modified live vaccine once yearly, then we
recommend using CattleMaster 4 with VL5. This is a killed vaccine that is
safe for pregnant cows.
Heifers should also be given an Ultrabac 7 vaccine.
If you have not dewormed with Dectomax, Cydectin or Ivomec then this
would be the second best option. If you already have used one of these and
want to pour them again for deworming and lice control a generic ivermectin
would be good. Remember that pouring cattle in freezing conditions is not very
effective.
Replacement Heifer Calves:
Do not forget to have us Bangs (Brucellosis) vaccinate your heifers before they
reach 12 months of age.
What are the vaccines and what do they protect against:
5-way Viral Vaccines:

Five way viral vaccines contain BRSV (Bovine Respiratory Syncytial Virus), IBR
(Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis Virus), BVD (Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus)
and PI3 (Parainfluenza Virus 3) antigens in them.
Not all vaccines are created equally even if they include the same antigens in
them. Some use different strains of the virus, more or less strains of the same
viruses and different adjuvants. Adjuvants are substances added to the vaccine
to increase the immune systems identification of and reaction to the antigens
in the vaccine. Some vaccines use killed virus in them and some use modified
live viruses in them. Modified live vaccines stimulate a much stronger
immunity and are more efficacious in disease prevention. Additionally,
some contain a bacterin against the bacterial pneumonia agent Mannheimia
haemolytica (previously called Pasteurella haemolytica)
Examples include:

Pyramind 5
Pyramid 5 with Presponse SQ (also contains Mannheimia haemolytica
bacterin)
Bovishield Gold
Bovishield One-shot (also contains Manheimmia haemolytica bacterin)
Virashield 6
Express 5
Vista 5
Vista Once SQ
BRDShield

7-way Clostridial Vaccines:

Seven way vaccines include bacterins that protect against Clostridium
Chauvoei (Black Leg), Clostridium Septicum( Malignant Edema), Clostridum
novyi (Black Disease), Clostridium sordellii (Gas Gangrene), Clostridium
perfringens types C&D ( Enterotoxemia/Enteritis, also called Purple Gut and
Over-Eating Disease).
In general the basic 7-way vaccines are similar in efficacy and price. Some
contain an additional bacterin against the bacterial pneumonia agent
Histophilus Somnus (previously called Haemophilus Somnus).
Examples include:

Ultrabac 7
Ultrabac 7 with Somubac (has Histophilus somnus bacterin as well)
Vision 7
Alpha 7
Covexin 8 (has Tetanus bacterin as well)
UltraChoice 8 (has Red Water bacterin as well)
Clostri Shield 7

Intranasal vaccines:
Nasalgen IBR and PI3
Inforce III BRSV, IBR and PI3
Nuplura- Mannheimia haemolytica (Pasteurella)
Scour Vaccines:
Scour prevention vaccines contain some combination of antigen against Bovine
Coronavirus, Bovine Rotavirus, and bacterins against Clostridium perfringens
type C&D and E. coli (including K99 pili).
Examples include:
Guardian Bovine Coronavirus, Bovine Rotavirus, Clostridium Perfringens
C&D and E. coli K99
Scourguard 4KC Bovine Coronavirus,
perfringens Type C and E. coli K99

Bovine

Rotavirus,

Clostridium

Scourbos 9 Bovine Coronavirus, Bovine Rotavirus, and Clostridium

perfringens type C and four strains of E. coli (uncertain if k99 is one of the
four)
Pre-breeding Vaccines:
The pre-breeding vaccines are basically a 5-way with campylobacter bacterin
(used to be called vibrio) and leptospirosis antigens added. These additions are
to help prevent fetal loss/abortions or failure to conceive. The vaccines are
labeled killed, killed and modified live or just modified live with respect to the
viral components of the vaccine. Killed and killed-modified live are generally

safe for pregnant or non-pregnant cows. Straight modified live vaccines are
only safe for pregnant cows if they have had it pre-breeding or at least in
the last year as part of your regular program. If you are uncertain if your
cows have been regularly getting a modified live vs. a killed vaccine you should
use a killed vaccine as the modified live vaccines can cause abortions in
pregnant cattle. Any further questions should be asked of your veterinarian.
Examples include:

CattleMaster 4+VL5 (killed and modified live)

CattleMaster Gold FP5 (killed and modified live)
Preguard Gold FP10 (modified live)
Virashield 6 VL5 (killed)
Vista 5 VL5 SQ (modified live)

Additional notes:
In general, the viruses that cause respiratory disease weaken the lungs and
allow a secondary bacterial infection to take hold. It is usually the secondary
bacterial infection that kills the animal. The most common causative bacterial
agents are Mannheimia haemolytica, Histophilus somnus and Pasteurella
multocida.
Calves that have had diarrhea in the first few months of life are at a
significantly increased risk of developing respiratory disease in late summer
and early fall. If you have diarrhea issues on your place, vaccinating to prevent
the diarrhea may decrease the incidence of respiratory disease later in the year.
Modified live vaccines stimulate a much stronger immunity, therefore, are more
efficacious in disease prevention and the duration of immunity usually lasts
longer. Use modified live vaccines in situations where you can safely do so.

DEVELOPING A HERD HEALTH PROGRAM

Many herd health programs fail in their objectives because too much reliance is
put on vaccinations and other treatments. A comprehensive herd health
program recognizes vaccination as an important tool, but not a cureall.
Effective programs integrate medicine and management to prevent disease.
Three major factors should be considered in attempting to keep disease losses
to a minimum:
1. Prevent Exposure to Disease. Purchase and quarantine procedures
should be employed to decrease the likelihood of disease introduction
into

the

existing

herd.

In

high

intensity

operations,

increasing

confinement means increasing exposure to disease-causing organisms

that exist in all groups of animals. Such operations need more intensive
preventive programs.
2. Keep Disease Resistance High. Nutrition, management, and housing
programs should be designed to keep resistance to disease high at all
times. Preventing or minimizing animal stress is a necessity for
maintaining good resistance. In addition to these measures, resistance to
specific diseases can sometimes be accomplished by vaccination.
3. If Disease Occurs, Prevent its Spread. Segregate affected animals
immediately. Have a diagnosis made, and take recommended action as
soon as possible.
Herd health programs must be tailored to each individual production situation.
Performance of procedures should be grouped because cattle handling is
expensive, time consuming, and stressful to cattle. In some cases, the cost of
performing a procedure may outweigh the benefits gained. Every procedure
should be evaluated in terms of its potential to be cost-beneficial. Veterinarians
can be of tremendous help in establishing and maintaining health programs.
They keep current with new developments in disease occurrence and in
procedures available to prevent and treat diseases. Knowledge and experience
enable them to help tailor programs that are based on the goals, capabilities,
and situations present on given farms.

It is important for your veterinarian to be a part

of the herd health team.

Calendar For A Herd-Health Program In The Beef Cow/Calf Operation

This program is based on handling cows twice a year and calves twice a year,
along with administering some procedures to newborn calves. Times are given
in relation to the time of the production cycle rather than calendar dates so
that the program may be adapted for a calving season that begins any time of
the year. Herd health programs and other cattle management procedures work
best when calving is confined to a 60-90 day period.
Herd-Health Procedures For Adults:
1. Pre-breeding
Cows
- Reproductive vaccines
Leptospirosis
Vibriosis if needed
IBR, BVD, PI3, BRSV virus vaccines (if a modified live vaccine is used, be sure
the animal is open)
- External parasite control (lice and grub control in fall, fly control in summer)
- Check Identification
- Check eyes, teeth, feet and legs, udders
Bulls
- Breeding Soundness Examination
- Reproductive vaccines
Leptospirosis
Vibriosis and/or Trichomoniasis if needed
IBR, BVD, PI3, BRSV virus vaccines
2. Pre-weaning
Cows

Pregnancy diagnosis
Leptospirosis booster vaccine
Check eyes, teeth, feet and legs, udders
External parasite control (lice and grub control in fall, fly control in summer)
Check identification
Scours vaccines needed
Health Procedures For Calves:
1. Newborn calf: 24 hours of age
- Identify
- Disinfect navel
- Vitamin A & D injection
- Vitamin E/ Selenium injection
- 7 way clostridial vaccine (Calves should receive an initial dose and a booster.
Ideally these are given at 3 months of age and again 2-4 weeks later. These
recommendations recognize that this procedure does not fit well into
management schemes. A vaccination soon after birth may not lead to sufficient
immunity because of interference by the dam's antibodies passed in the
colostrum. If, however, calves will not receive another dose until weaning,
vaccination of the newborn is preferable to no vaccination.)
- Implant growth promotant (implant heifer calves only if they will not be used
as replacements)
- Castrate bull calves
- Dehorn if needed
2. Mid- nursing period (2-6 months of age)
- Vaccination

7-way clostridial vaccine

Respiratory vaccinations (especially if killed products are used; booster dose
given at preweaning)
- Implant growth promotant
Replacement heifers less than 400 lbs. can be given a single implant
- Deworm: Timing is important. Should be given in early to mid-July for springborn calves, at beginning of grazing for fall-born calves
-Dehorn if needed
3. Preweaning- These procedures should be done 3-4 weeks prior to
weaning to allow time for immunity to develop before the high-risk event
of weaning. Procedures performed will be somewhat variable depending
on plans for calves following weaning (retained ownership versus sale and
method of sale).
- Vaccinations
7- way clostridial
Respiratory (IBR, BVD, PI3, BRSV virus vaccines, consider Pasteurella)
Brucellosis for replacement heifers
- External Parasite Control
- Deworm
- Implant Growth promotant
- Dehorn if needed
Detailed Beef Herd Procedures & Treatments
(Rationale for calendar items above and other non-timed procedures that
promote health for cows and calves)
A. CALF PROTECTION

1. CALVING DIFFICULTY WATCH. A clean area should be provided for

calving; pastures are usually best. The calving pasture should be small
enough that all animals can be observed several (3-4) times a day. A
holding area to restrain animals with calving difficulty is important.
Animals that isolate themselves from the herd for more than 8 hours or
that are in active labor for more than 1-2 hours should be assisted.
2. NAVEL CORD. Dip navel cord at birth A 7% tincture of iodine kills
bacteria and dries up the navel cord to prevent infection. If this
procedure is not done, the navel cord can serve as a source of infection
that may cause a systemic infection. This procedure is less critical if
cows are calving on clean pastures.
3. VITAMIN/MINERAL INJECTION. The soil levels of selenium in Virginia
are frequently inadequate to prevent the occurrence of white muscle
disease without supplementation. Adults can be protected by feed
supplementation, but calves should be injected at birth with a Vitamin
E/Selenium preparation such as Bo-Se or Mu-Se. Vitamin A and D
injections at birth, though optional, are recommended following winter
feeding of poorer quality hays or following droughts because liver stores
of Vitamin A in the newborn calf may be very low.
4. COLOSTRUM. The first milk contains all the antibodies a newborn calf
will have until it has time to make its own. Be sure calves get plenty (1012% of body weight in the first 24 hours, half of this in the first 6 hours;
3-6 quarts depending on calf size). Calves from heifers or cows with big
udders or teats run a great risk of not getting enough colostrum.
5. INFECTIOUS DISEASES. There are two ways to provide calves with
antibodies to fight off infectious diseases. The first is to vaccinate the
dam and assure that the calf ingests her colostrum (first milk) during the
first 6 hours of its life. The antibodies the cow has made to resist the
diseases for which she has immunity (from exposure or vaccination) will
be present in her "first" milk for approximately 24 hours after calving and
will help protect the calf during the first 6-8 weeks of life. The second way
to provide antibodies against infectious diseases for the calf is to
vaccinate it and allow it to develop its own antibodies. Both of these

forms of protection, done together, will provide the greatest protection for
the calf. The herd health program outlined will provide for both forms of
protection.
6. RESPIRATORY DISEASE: A calf will he protected from respiratory
disease such as pneumonia, IBR, etc., in four ways if vaccination
programs are combined with appropriate management. First, the calf will
receive antibodies from its dam before birth. Second, it will produce
general antibodies in response to the vaccines it receives during
preweaning conditioning (IBR, BVD, PI3, BRSV). At the time of the
vaccination the passive immunity the calf received from the cow will be
replaced by the calf's own immunity. Third, the calf will be handled in
such a way that stress is minimized. Stress and the changes that occur
in the calves' immune and metabolic systems as they adjust to new
environments are nearly always part of a respiratory disease outbreak.
The times right after calving, during weaning, or when calves are shipped
are the times of highest stress. The fourth method of protection involves
handling the calf so as to minimize exposure to other calves, particularly
those that are already ill or may be incubating disease. This is especially
important during periods of stress.
7. CLOSTRIDIAL DISEASES: At mid-nursing and again at preweaning,
calves should be vaccinated with Clostridium 7-way to prevent blackleg
and other clostridial diseases. These diseases typically result in sudden
death of animals.
8. SCOURS DISEASES: Sanitation at calving is the most effective approach
to prevention of scours. Separating all calves that do have scours from
the group decreases exposure of healthy calves to scours-causing
organisms. Vaccinating cows for scours can be done for some of the
agents that cause scours ( E. coli and rota/corona viruses). These
vaccines typically are given 3 and 6 weeks before a replacement's first
calving, then just 3 weeks before they calve in subsequent years. The
above calendar recommends boosting at pregnancy diagnosis to avoid an
extra handling. Vaccination for scours will not be needed in every setting
and will not overcome major breaches in sanitation.

9. BRUCELLOSIS: Brucellosis is a disease which results in a high incidence

of abortion and related problems in cattle. The disease can also be
readily transmitted to humans, causing Undulant Fever. Eradication of
the disease was achieved in Virginia by testing cows and slaughtering
infected ones. Vaccination has also been extremely important in the
control of this disease. Replacement heifer calves in Virginia may be
vaccinated for Brucellosis when they are 4-12 months old (regulations in
other states vary). Bulls are not vaccinated for Brucellosis because the
vaccine can cause testicular inflammation. Brucellosis vaccinations must
be performed by a veterinarian. Brucellosis eradication is slated to be
complete in the U.S. in 2002, at which time vaccination will become
unnecessary. In the meantime, while chances of contracting the disease
are minimal, many shipping and sales regulations make it difficult or
impossible to sell cows for breeding purposes that have not been
vaccinated against the disease.
10.

DEHORNING AND CASTRATION. Time of dehorning and castration

varies with different management schemes. In general, calves will

experience fewer negative effects from these procedures when they are
done at earlier ages. From a health standpoint, it is better to dehorn
calves with electric burners or various other dehorners than with pastes.
Pastes may cause irritation to the cow's udder and to the calves' eyes,
especially during wet weather. Any dehorning procedure performed
incorrectly may result in scar formation. A number of procedures for
castration can be applied effectively. The surgical procedure for
castration (cutting) has been suggested as preferable to banding or
clamping, because it assures that the procedure has been completely
accomplished. Early castration, between birth and 30 days of age, is
recommended for commercial producers. All instruments used for
castration should be washed and soaked in alcohol or some other
effective antiseptic between calves. Fly spray should be applied around
the scrotum if castration is performed during the fly season.
B. ADULT PROTECTION

1. INFECTIOUS DISEASES. There are several diseases in Virginia that may

result in abortion and/or infertility - IBR, BVD, PI3, BRSV, Leptospirosis
and Vibriosis. For optimal protection from these diseases, all breeding
animals should be vaccinated annually one month prior to breeding.
Heifers and new bulls must be vaccinated twice prior to breeding with
the lepto/vibrio bacterin vaccine. The IBR, BVD, PI3, BRSV vaccine will
protect against abortion as well as respiratory disease in adults. In
addition, it will stimulate antibody response in cows and heifers that will
later be passed along to calves in colostrum as previously described.
Modified live, killed, and combination vaccines are available for these
viruses. There are pros and cons to both types and deciding which type
to use will depend on factors on the farm and preference. A veterinarian
can help you decide which type will work best in a given setting.
Protection against Vibrio, a venereal disease, is not needed as part of
your vaccination program if only virgin bulls or artificial insemination are
used in the herd.
2. BULL EVALUATION. Physical and breeding soundness examination of all
breeding bulls, prior to the breeding season, is an excellent aid in culling
those bulls that have abnormalities which decrease their fertility and is
helpful for selecting the best bulls to retain. Semen evaluation by a
veterinarian should be used in conjunction with the owner's observation
of the bull's mating ability and sexual desire to determine which bulls
should be kept.
3. BREEDING RECOMMENDATIONS. Breed heifers at least 3 weeks ahead
of the cows. This allows heifers more time to get ready to be rebred so
that they will calve with the cow herd the next year. First-calf heifers
require longer to return to cycling than cows; therefore, calving heifers
early will allow extra time for these first-time mothers to catch up.
4. BRUCELLOSIS AND TUBERCULOSIS TESTING, CERTIFICATION, AND
ACCREDITATION. The advantage of certification and accreditation is that
cattle from the herd can be moved intrastate and interstate without
testing. Many sales will forego testing requirements for cattle from
certified and accredited herds. Purebred operations should consider

certification. For Brucellosis certification, all nonvaccinated cattle, both

male and female (except steers and spayed heifers), 6 months of age and
older, and all vaccinated cattle, 18 months of age and older, are blood
tested. At least two consecutive tests not less than 10 months nor more
than 14 months apart are required for initial certification. A negative
herd test conducted within 60 days of each anniversary date is required
for continuous certification. Two consecutive annual tests must be
negative for Tuberculosis accreditation. For reaccreditation, the herd
must pass an annual test within a period of 10-14 months of the
anniversary date. All cattle over 24 months old, and any animal other
than natural additions under 24 months of age, must be tested.
5. ISOLATION OF PURCHASED ADDITIONS. New additions to the herd
should be tested for Brucellosis and Tuberculosis. Consider testing for
Anaplasma and Leukosis as well. At least 30 days of quarantine is
recommended during which the new cattle should be kept from contact
with farm cattle. During this time testing can be completed, incubating
diseases may be detected, and inapparent shedding of disease organisms
brought on by the stress of shipping will often stop.
6. PARASITE CONTROL. Control of internal parasites (worms) is an
important consideration for optimum cattle health. In general, it has not
been found to be cost-effective to deworm adult cattle. Spring-born
calves, however, will generally have cost-effective gains from mid-summer
deworming. Fall-born calves should be included in a spring deworming
program (sometimes 2 dewormings) based on the expected time of
weaning and post-weaning management. While references to deworming
are made in this publication, a comprehensive discussion is not
included. The reader is referred to Virginia Cooperative Extension
Publication 400-346, "Parasite Control In Grazing Cattle," for more
information.
7. BEEF QUALITY ASSURANCE. It is important to remember that beef
production is food production. In the past, health procedures have
sometimes resulted in damage to or contamination of meat. This can be
avoided by following a few simple rules: All products should be given

according to label recommendations unless otherwise directed by a

veterinarian. Always follow slaughter withdrawal times when drugs are
administered. Use clean needles, syringes, and other equipment in
administering

products.

Administer

products

under

the

skin

(subcutaneously) rather than IM (intra-muscularly) if the label allows

this route. Inject all products in front of the shoulder. IM injections can
be safely given in front of the shoulder, 3 inches below the top of the
neck. This will avoid bones, nerves, vessels, and ligaments that are in the
neck. Injecting in the neck area decreases the chance of causing damage
to high-quality meat cuts, such as those in the animal's hindquarter.