Anthrax is a serious infectious disease affecting cattle. Attempts to stop the insidious disease are often unsuccessful, since the pathogen is able to perfectly adapt to the environment, grows and spreads in the body of animals, soil, and water sources. Therefore, it is necessary to vaccinate cattle against anthrax to prevent the disease.
What is the vaccine
The anthrax vaccine is a suspension of live spores. It is a cloudy white solution.The drug is stored in glass bottles, which are closed with rubber stoppers. The vaccine contains 30 percent glycerin, to which 55 strains have been added. These substances are pathogens that contribute to the development of immunity in cattle.
1 ml of vaccine contains approximately 20-25 million live viruses. The release form of the drug is vials containing 20, 50, 100, 200 ml of solution. The veterinarian prescribes vaccine doses according to the type and weight of the animal.
It is important to store an effective remedy that successfully fights anthrax in accordance with the requirements. If the vaccine is stored incorrectly, it becomes unusable and is destroyed. When white flakes form in the liquid, the product is destroyed in a boiling soda solution.
What is the expected result
Vaccination aimed at preventing the appearance of anthrax is not a cure for the disease that causes carbuncles, swelling, and severe intoxication of the entire body. The vaccine is designed to create immunity against the virus. If the animal is infected, then vaccination will not bring any benefit.
The effect appears within 10 days after the injection. Its duration in adult animals is approximately 1 year, sometimes a little more or less. The period of effectiveness depends on the individual organism of the individual. A veterinarian can determine this most accurately when examining the animal. In young animals, the vaccine is valid for about 3 months, then a second vaccination is given.
Timing, methods, doses
Only a veterinarian sets the exact dates for cattle vaccination. According to generally accepted standards, adult animals are vaccinated once a year. Vaccination of young animals is carried out according to the scheme.
| Graft | Term |
| First | At 3 pm |
| Second | In 6 months |
| Subsequent | Unified vaccination scheme for young and adult cattle. |
Animals are vaccinated in two ways:
- Intradermal. The solution is injected into the area where there is no hair. Requires 2 cu. see means.
- Classic subcutaneous. Inserted into the middle part of the neck. A standard animal requires 1 cu. see vaccines.
Only the veterinarian determines the amount of vaccine and the injection site.
In what cases are cattle vaccinated?
The veterinarian draws up the procedure for vaccinations of cattle. Vaccination of livestock also takes place under the strict supervision of a veterinarian. But every cattle breeder must know that to prevent infectious diseases it is worth following the existing generally accepted rules:
- All animals should be vaccinated at the same time, except for animals with a weakened immune system or those who are sick at the time of vaccination;
- when one animal is infected, the rest must be vaccinated, regardless of when the vaccination was carried out;
- When a new animal appears, it needs to be vaccinated - it can be allowed to join other livestock 2 weeks after vaccination.
When vaccination is completed, livestock monitoring is required for 14 days. Monitoring is needed for changes in the animal's immunity. After vaccination, heavy loads, overheating or hypothermia are prohibited.
Rules for using the vaccine for cattle
Before vaccinating an animal against anthrax in cattle, it is important to know the rules for using the drug. Instructions for use will help you use the vaccine correctly. Animals should be vaccinated cleanly and in full compliance with sanitary standards. The area where the injection will be given must be treated with 70 percent alcohol.
Contraindications and side effects
The vaccine against infection has several contraindications that must be taken into account before vaccination. These include:
- It is prohibited to vaccinate an animal if it is sick or has recently been ill;
- You cannot vaccinate if the animal is being treated and has already been given medications;
- it is prohibited to vaccinate young animals under 3 months of age;
- after vaccination, cattle cannot be treated with anti-inflammatory or antiseptic agents;
- It is not recommended to vaccinate livestock at very high or low temperatures outside or in rainy weather;
- Vaccination is prohibited if the animal has undergone surgery;
- The vaccine is not administered to animals in late pregnancy, or within two weeks after birth.
In these situations, the animal's immune system is weakened, so the procedure can cause significant harm rather than benefit. After vaccination, it is necessary to examine the animal to prevent serious unpleasant consequences. If a slight swelling has formed at the injection site, this should not be a cause for concern - it will disappear within a few days.
But measures should be taken if the temperature rises, muscle tremors, anxiety, swelling, involuntary salivation, weakness, and frequent difficulty breathing appear. Then an individual with post-vaccination complications should be isolated from the herd and seek help from a veterinarian.
