Goat/antelope clostridial vaccinations

Re: Goat/antelope clostridial vaccinations

Emily Parkes — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 20:29:16 GMT

My understanding was that the recommendation in goats was to use the simplest vaccine containing the components relevant to the herd (4 in 1 give better protection than 7 or 8 in 1). The vaccine should include Clostridium perfringens types B,C and D and Cl. tetani. Other clostridial diseases are rarely found in goats so lambivac is ideal. The primary course should be 2 doses 4-6 weeks apart then booster every 6 months and it's mportant not to shorten the interval between primary course doses. Boosters should be given 4-6 weeks before kidding to ensure maximum transfer to kids but can start kids from 3-4 weeks if dam unvaccinated or 8 weeks if she was. The maximum dose needed is 2ml s/c.

As far as pasteurella is concerned it should contain M.haemolytica A1,A2 and A6 plus all P. multocida serotypes – unfortunately there is no vaccine available in UK that covers all of these. Pastobov (Merial cattle vaccine) does M.haemolytica A1 and Ovipast plus (intervet sheep vaccine) does M.haemolytica A1, A2 and A6 and used to be licensed in goats as young as 1 week. Primary course 2 x 2ml dose 3-4 weeks apart booster annually. it can be given at same time as clostridial vaccine but use different sites.

I used to use lambivac in all the pet goats and hobby farmers but did have to start thinking about introducing a pastruella vaccine on one dairy herd but that was based on high kid losses and PM findings.

Most of this is based on John Matthews recommendations I think.

Re: Goat/antelope clostridial vaccinations

Jo Cobbett — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 12:44:37 GMT

I was once told (I think by the manufacturers) that they recommend separate vaccines where possible in goats, rather than combined clostridia and pasteurella, as goats tend to respond poorly to vaccines and may have a better response if vaccinated for fewer infectious agents at once.

I've been small animal only for the last 11 months though, so you may wish to take that with a pinch of salt!!!

Re: Goat/antelope clostridial vaccinations

Alan Tevendale — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 10:25:47 GMT

I would agree that pasturella cover is less important in goats although I suspect may be more important in some of the exotic antelope species. I generally only do yearly in goats and seem to get away with it fine - maybe I should be recommending an increased frequency.

Injection site reactions do seem to be fairly common in most small ruminants although the vaccine companies will tell you that this is common whatever you use, be that non-steroidal, antibiotic or vaccine.

Re: Goat/antelope clostridial vaccinations

Stephanie Holmes — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 09:49:27 GMT

I've always used heptavac P annually for my Pygmy goats- using the left over vaccine from the sheep before lambing. You can get quite nasty injection site reactions in goats esp with the multivalent vaccines. Also I'm pretty sure that you don't particularly need the pasturella cover for goats- more important is C.perfringens C and D (although other Clostridial infections can occur) and Tetanus. However I am now only a small animal vet so correct me if I'm wrong!

Re: Goat/antelope clostridial vaccinations

Anthony Dennison — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 17:49:41 GMT

At uni we had a local pygmy goat herd that all got Heptavac P. We were taught to vaccinate goats every 6 months, but off the top of my head I can't remember the reasoning behind this

Re: Goat/antelope clostridial vaccinations

Marie Kubiak — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 17:38:18 GMT

Good to know, thanks. Are you doing yours 6 monthly or yearly? Seen any adverse reactions?

Marie

Re: Goat/antelope clostridial vaccinations

Alan Tevendale — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 16:54:28 GMT

Hi Maire

I've always used Heptavac P for most of our hoofstock. I regularly use this in goats as well and I generally prefer the broader protection that it offers. It coveres for a good broad range of Clostridials as well as Pasteurella. Keepers at our zoo have used it for years in their hoofstock as well.

If anyone uses anything different I'd love to hear more.

Alan