Merck has provided a comprehensive guide to help you make a cattle vaccine plan! Below you’ll find information and a handy table all the way from pre-breeding to pre-calving.
Pre-Calving:
- Scours vaccine should be given 3 months prior to calving, followed by a booster dose 3-6 weeks later.
- This is far enough before calving to minimize the stress and possible effects from handling cattle near calving time.
- For subsequent calving, revaccinate with a single dose 5-7 weeks before calving
Calving:
- Healthy calves can be vaccinated as young as 1 week of age with an intranasal respiratory vaccine against the leading causes of early onset BRD.
First Working:
- For calves 1 to 3 months of age, this is a crucial time as maternal antibodies decline. It is important to vaccinate calves for optimal production.
- Respiratory and clostridial vaccines are administered during this time period.
- Branding/Turnout
- If giving a tetanus vaccine when castrating or banding bull calves, two doses are required prior to banding or castration procedure.
- Pre-weaning
- Vaccinate calves at 14 to 21 days prior to weaning.
- Avoid the stressful weaning period to ensure stronger immune response to respiratory and clostridial vaccines prior to the high risk period of weaning.
- Weaning
- If you must vaccinate during this time, delay working calves until the stress of weaning is over.
- It is best to wait until the calves are eating, drinking and most (if not all) have stopped walking and bawling.
- Parasite treatment should also be performed at this time – depending on the product label instructions.
Second Working/ Weaning:
- •f you have followed a pre-weaning or first working schedule, then second working will typically occur 2-6 weeks after the first working, or at weaning.
Pre-Breeding:
- All pre-breeding MLV vaccines should be done 14–60 days prior to breeding to avoid any possible side effects or complications that could affect fertility.
- Consult with your veterinarian before using any vaccine on a pregnant or lactating cow.
| ACTIVITY | CATTLE TYPE | CATEGORY OF TREATMENT | MERCK ANIMAL HEALTH VACCINE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-Calving | Pregnant Cows | Scours | BOVILIS® GUARDIAN® |
| Calving | Calves | Respiratory | BOVILIS® ONCE® PMH IN OR BOVILIS® NASALGEN® 3-PMH |
| First Working • If giving a tetanus vaccine when castrating or banding bull calves, two doses are required prior to banding or castration procedure. | Calves | Respiratory Clostridial Clostridial + Tetanus Pinkeye - 6 weeks prior to peak fly and pinkeye season. Follow label directions for booster and booster interval | BOVILIS® VISTA® ONCE SQ* OR BOVILIS® NASALGEN® 3** OR BOVILIS® NASALGEN® 3-PMH** **For use in calves 1 week of age or older Choose one: BOVILIS® VISION® 7/8 OR BOVILIS® VISION® 7/8 SOMNUS Choose one: BOVILIS® CAVALRY® 9 OR BOVILIS® COVEXIN® 8 Choose one: BOVILIS® PILIGUARD® PINKEYE OR BOVILIS® 20/20 VISION® 7 +/- MORAXELLA BOVOCULI |
| Second Working | Heifers/Steers | Respiratory Booster Clostridial Booster Clostridial + Tetanus Pinkeye - 6 weeks prior to peak fly and pinkeye season. Follow label directions for booster and booster interval | Choose one: BOVILIS® VISTA® ONCE SQ* Choose one: BOVILIS® VISION® 7/8 OR BOVILIS® VISION® 7/8 SOMNUS Choose one: BOVILIS® CAVALRY® 9 OR BOVILIS® COVEXIN® 8 Choose one: BOVILIS® PILIGUARD® PINKEYE OR BOVILIS® 20/20 VISION® 7 +/- MORAXELLA BOVOCULI |
| Pre-Breeding | Replacement Heifers/Cows | Respiratory + Lepto + Vibrio | BOVILIS® VISTA® 5 VL5 SQ CFP* |
