Yesterday in Animal Science Techniques Lab we were giving dairy heifers vaccinations (Bo-Se, pinkeye, and clostridial), some IM some Sub-Q. One of the heifers (will be 2 this summer) went into anaphylactic shock about 15 minutes later. It was a really slow reaction but was very interesting to watch (probably the heifer wouldn't agree). She got really frothy, you could hear her struggling with her breath, and she fell over twice (drew blood). We gave her an epi shot and she ended up being fine but it was an interesting process! I am curious about how frequently adverse reactions actually occur as the result of vaccinations (nothing like this ever happened at home). Anybody have a similar experience?
Anaphylactic shock
- Thread starter LoveMoo11
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rockridgecattle
Well-known member
We had it happen a few years ago to a 3 month old calf. Same thing you are talking about. Gave it a shot of Epi and was told by the vet to keep the calf and momma penned for 24 hours to watch. Might of had to give a second dose of Epi. I think it happens more often than we are aware of. Just maybe not as severe.
larryshoat
Well-known member
I've used products that have large numbers and severe reactions . Salmonella vaccines are bad for this, Entervene-D being the worse, the reactions are deadly, but if handled properly are not a problem . Epi and in the bad ones a repeat dose along with dexamethasone .
Larry
Larry
Workinonit Farm
Well-known member
rockridgecattle":29le7qdx said:
There was a time, when I would purchase my vaccines at the co-op, I would also purchase a small bottle of Epi at the same time 'just in case'. Well, it is no longer available at the co-op, or any of the other local farm-supply stores. Iodine and various Betadine solutions are also difficult to get as well.
As to the question about shock, (knock wood) I have not had it happen here. Hopefully it won't anytime soon.
Katherine
LoveMoo11
Well-known member
update-the heifer was fine last night and this morning but around 1 PM today she seemed to go into shock again and died before we got another epi shot into her-might not have helped at that point anyways. Well she was probably the best heifer we had, a Lou daughter out of a Ramses dam, and she was bred, due in August. The dam is bred back to Lou but it will probably be a bull :roll: its a shame. Another one of the heifers that we vaccinated yesterday had a mild reaction this afternoon-she was breathing pretty heavy and foaming, but she wasn't as bad as the first. Now we are just watching things closely and hoping it was just a freak thing and not a bad batch of vaccine. :|
Workinonit Farm
Well-known member
LoveMoo11":1q9zf0c6 said:
Hopefully everything will be alright. Sorry you lost the other one.
Katherine
larryshoat
Well-known member
Huh, I've never heard of anything like that . Hopefully milkmaid will weigh in on this .
Larry
Larry
DeltaCowDoc
Member
These reactions do occur more frequently with certain vaccines. Over the years I have witnessed reactions and have been called out by clients with emergencies of one or more cow/calfs having post vaccine difficulties. Epinephrine and dexamethasone are needed initially, followed up with dexamethasone as needed. Unfortunately sometimes doing everything is not enough to save them..
TexasBred
Well-known member
Too many gram negative vaccines given at one time will often bring on shock. A majority of the time epinephrine will bring them out of it. It's dirt cheap...never be without it. Sometimes following up with a bottle of dextrose will help.
