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Vaccine can prevent PI calves
Pfizer Animal Health Group, a division of Pfizer Inc., New York, N.Y., recently announced that new Bovi-Shield GOLD FP, can prevent persistently infected (PI) calves--breaking the cycle of BVD transmission and eradicating it within a herd.
The key to prevention and eventual eradication of BVD is using a BVD vaccine that includes fetal protection. Producers know a vaccine will provide fetal protection when "FP" appears on the product label.
Vaccine must demonstrate its ability to control viremia, or viruses in the bloodstream, in order to protect a fetus. This requires an extremely high level of immunity, because even small amounts of BVD in the dam's bloodstream can cause calves to be persistently infected with BVD.
"When a vaccine provides a level of immunity high enough to earn a fetal protection claim, then protection is optimized," said Dr. Vic Cortese, associate director of Cattle Veterinary Operations at Pfizer Animal Health.
Bovi-Shield GOLD FP controls viremia, thus providing fetal protection. A Type 2 fetal protection challenge study proved the effectiveness of a pre-breeding vaccination program.
In the study, calves were tested in utero for the virus in their fetal fluids. Bovi-Shield GOLD FP demonstrated 100% blockage of virus in the fetal fluids and 100% protection from the birth of persistently infected calves. All calves born from females vaccinated with Bovi-Shield GOLD FP were 100% normal and healthy.
Persistent infection occurs when BVD viruses in the bloodstream invade the placenta and infect the fetus during the first 125 days of gestation, said Dr. Cortese. If the fetus survives, the resulting calf is PI and while PI cattle may not show any clinical signs of the disease, they are infected for life. PI females will always give birth to PI offspring.
The Bovi-Shield GOLD FP line, formulated with both BVD Types 1 and 2 is the only vaccine with combined protection against persistent infections from BVD Types 1 and 2 and IBR-induced abortions.
For more information circle X on the Reader Reply Coupon, call a local veterinarian or animal health supplier or visit www.bovi-shildgold.com.
Date: 12/29/03
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