Producers and veterinarians continue to search for ways to minimize antibiotic use while controlling emerging species of pinkeye bacteria such as Moraxella bovoculi and Mycoplasma bovoculi. For herd-specific solutions that help reduce time, labor and expense, Matt Christjohn, DVM, a veterinarian who works primarily with cow/calf and stocker operations in Alabama and Georgia, says he’s had success controlling pinkeye using custom-made vaccines with a one-dose adjuvant.
Many bovine custom-made vaccines require an initial administration and a second booster shot several weeks later, but due to the added labor cost and logistical challenges associated with administering the second dose, it is commonly overlooked. This can compromise the effectiveness of the vaccine.
Bio One™, a proprietary one-dose adjuvant from Newport Laboratories, Inc., removes the need for a booster shot, making it easier for producers and veterinarians to keep their herds healthy. According to Dr. Christjohn and Erin Duke, a beef producer at Stockdale Farms in Munford, Alabama, the one-dose adjuvant has eliminated the risk of compromising vaccine efficacy and reduced stress on their herd.
The start of a two-dose regimen
“In 2017, we experienced our first pinkeye outbreak that infected 75 percent of our cattle,” said Duke. “Dr. Christjohn recommended running diagnostics, and we discovered that a custom-made vaccine was needed to protect against the prevalent pathogens within our herd.”
The only solution was to administer a two-dose vaccine, which made the process very labor-intensive, Duke continued.
“It took nearly two full days to get all 400 cattle in and out of the chute for the initial vaccine administration. Then it took another two days for the second dose,” said Duke. “Overall, this process was very challenging, but the unbeatable results made custom-made vaccines a necessity in our pinkeye prevention plan.”
“After the initial vaccine administration, we saw the pinkeye incidence rate drop from 75 percent to 30 percent,” said Dr. Christjohn. “Once the booster shot was completed, the incidence rate dropped below two percent.”
A one-dose adjuvant makes the difference
In 2019, BIO ONE was released, offering veterinarians and producers a more convenient solution to protect their herds against pinkeye. Stockdale Farms was one of many that switched to the one-dose vaccine.
“Not only does it help reduce time, labor and expense, but it also reduces handling stress on our cattle,” said Duke. “Since switching to the one-dose, we have not had to administer any boosters or treat any cattle for pinkeye-related issues.”
These results suggest that a proactive, preventative approach to pinkeye using custom-made vaccines may help minimize outbreaks and reduce the number of cattle needing antibiotic treatment. At the same time, vaccination is just one part of pinkeye control; it’s still important to review biosecurity protocols unrelated to vaccines such as fly control, dust reduction and closing herds.
To learn how custom-made vaccines could help solve your or your clients’ herd-health challenges, contact your Boehringer Ingelheim representative or visit NewportLabs.com.
BIO ONE™ is a trademark of Newport Laboratories, Inc. ©2020 Newport Laboratories, Inc. Worthington, MN. All Rights Reserved. US-BOV-0663-2020
