CALF_News_October_November_2020

26 CALF News • October | November 2020 • www.calfnews.net W hen commercial vac- cines don’t work for certain conditions, such as pinkeye, autogenous vaccines may help. These vaccines are created in U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)-approved labs with samples of microorganisms from a particular animal or herd. Lab technicians use those organisms to formulate a vaccine that protects a specific animal or herd. Bruce Addison, DVM, CEO of Addi- son Labs, says it takes two weeks to fill the first order. To comply with USDA regulations, subsequent requests of the same vaccine take about 30 days. Addi- son says his lab has made autogenous vaccines for a python, a camel, horses and primates; however, most orders are for livestock. Pinkeye vaccine is most commonly requested, although autog- enous vaccines also treat respiratory and enteric diseases. USDA guidelines allow autogenous vaccine labs to accept specimens from university diagnostic labs or licensed veterinarians. Lab technicians isolate and identify organisms in samples. “We’re here to help animals and follow the law, making sure we have a clean industry,” Addison explains.“We don’t want people getting junk vaccines that have no oversight. The veterinar- ian helps us make an accurate diagnosis, ensures that regulations are followed and educates the client to use the vaccine properly. It’s a team effort — producer, veterinarian and the laboratory.” Addison reports that if operators have not tried a commercial vaccine first, they will probably waste time and money. Ranchers might solve their problem with a product that has already been govern- ment approved. He suggests producers read about autogenous vaccines, talk to their veterinarians or autogenous lab representatives to learn more about this alternative treatment. Addison believes his role is to help producers and veteri- narians solve health issues for livestock. “Animals carry pinkeye organisms in their upper respiratory tract,” Addison reveals.“In a closed herd, it’s doubtful that ‘bug’ will change much, if any. The vaccine the producer used will probably work again next year.” However, cattle are new every year in a backgrounding operation. Addison recommends that if producers see any eye problems, they should send samples immediately. Pinkeye does not infect all animals at once. It travels through the herd in several months. The veterinarian will have time to intervene, protecting the bulk of those cattle. “Certain organisms mutate often, such as Clostridium perfringens type A; a commercial product may not take care of it,” Addison concludes.“That’s when you turn to an autogenous service. There are licensed products on the market that [stay up-to-date on] new variants out in the field. When we use those and autog- enous vaccines, we get good results.” Lee Jones, DVM, professor at the University of Georgia College of Veteri- nary Medicine, has recommended autog- enous vaccines when he and his clients decide commercially available vaccines are ineffective. Jones recommends developing and maintaining sound management strate- gies, including raising closed herds with proven biosecurity methods that reduce exposure to infection. Other practices including good nutrition, a comprehen- sive mineral program, and reduced stress with Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) han- dling techniques complete the program. Like many veterinarians, Jones requests autogenous vaccines for pink- eye. This disease has multiple causes of eye irritation, which allows bacterial infections. Jones works with cow-calf, stocker and feedyard clients to deter- mine if an autogenous product is the best choice, especially if animals have not benefited from commercial vaccines. “We need to make sure we get a good sample collection,” Jones stresses.“If we have a problem, like pinkeye, we’ve got to collect diagnostic samples at the [first sign of symptoms]. If I use an autog- enous vaccine, I must have live bacteria and live viruses. I’ve got to collect my samples without a lot of contamination so my pathogen stays alive. This ensures that when we get the diagnostic results, what they cultured is the culprit. “Make sure the lab you’re using is able to identify the strain causing the problem. Labs use molecular diagnostic techniques, RNA sequencing proce- dures, genomics and pathogen identifica- tion tools that are far better than looking on a culture plate.” Most autogenous labs ask operators to buy 1,000 or more doses, which works well for large producers but is pricey if an operator has only 50 head. He can store the vaccine, but it often has a shelf life of 8 to 12 months. If the veterinar- ian has a reasonable expectation that the disease-causing organism is also involved with a neighboring client, the neighbor’s herd may use the autogenous vaccine. In this scenario, several ranchers can split expenses. Another Tool for Your Toolbox Autogenous Vaccines By Gilda V. Bryant Contributing Editor TOP: Dr. Rethorst, a Kansas veterinarian, administers autogenous vaccines to cow-calf herds and stocker animals. Photo courtesy David Rethorst, DVM