Jefferson Veterinary Clinic, S.C.

959 West Racine Street
Jefferson, WI 53549

(920)674-2383

www.jeffersonvetclinic.com

JVC recommends vaccinating to ensure your herd is at optimum health. There are a variety of vaccines on the market that are designed to provide protection against various combinations of viral or bacterial diseases. Every herd has different requirements.  Please contact one of our veterinarians to assist you with developing a vaccination protocol specific for your herd, and for proper administration and handling procedures.

Two categories of vaccines are used in cattle: Modified Live Vaccines (MLV) and Killed Vaccines. Both are designed to provide protection by producing an antibody response to either viral or bacterial diseases. 
 
Examples of commonly seen Viral Diseases include:
  • Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR)
  • Bovine Viral Diarrhea (BVD)
  • Bovine Respiratory Syncicial Virus (BRSV)
  • Parainfluenza Virus (PI3)
  • Rotavirus
  • Coronavirus
 
Examples of commonly seen Bacterial Diseases include:
  • Leptospira spp. (5 way)
  • Leptospira hardjo bovis (reproductive failure)
  • Mannheimia heamolytica (pneumonia)
  • Pastuerella multocida (pneumonia)
  • E. coli
  • Salmonella
  • Clostridium spp.
  • Mycoplasma bovis
  • Morexella bovis (pinkeye)
 
Proper Handling and Administration of Vaccinations
 
When handling vaccines and giving vaccinations, please keep consider the following:
  • All vaccines must be held at refrigeration temperature. Freezing or extreme heat will inactivate the vaccine.
  • Protect the vaccine from direct sunlight which will also inactivate the vaccine.
  • Follow route of administration instructions described on the vaccine label. (Each vaccine label will indicate the dose amount AND the route of administration such as intramuscular (IM) or subcutaneous (SQ))
  • Use the proper needle size to administer the vaccine.  Adult cattle: give IM injections with a 1 1/2” 18 gauge needle. Give SQ injections using a 1” 18 gauge needle.  Calves: 1” 18 or 20 gauge needle may be used for either IM or SQ injections.
  • Use caution when administering a MLV to pregnant cattle. MLV may be administered to a pregnant animal as long as she received the same MLV vaccine prior to breeding and within the last 12 months. If these guidelines are not followed, an abortion may occur.
  • Never administer more than 2 gram negative bacterial vaccines to a dairy cow on the same day as this will cause some abortions. We can assist in identifying gram negative vaccines.
  • MLV must be used within 6 hours of mixing. Any remaining portion should be discarded.
 Whole Herd J-Vac Protocol
 
Springing Heifers:
  • Give 2ml IM or SQ 2 weeks before freshening (Pre-Fresh)
  • Give 2 ml IM or SQ 2 weeks after freshening (post-fresh)
  • Give 2 ml IM or SQ at the next whole herd shot unless that occurs less than 2 weeks from the post-fresh shot
 
Lactating Cows and Dry Cows
  • Initially give 2 ml IM or SQ to all lactating and dry cows
  • Give 2 ml IM or SQ to all lactating and dry cows 1 month following the first shot
  • Once the herd has been set-up with the initial doses, give 2ml IM or SQ to all lactating and dry cows every 90 days. It is easiest to choose the first day of every third month.