First vaccinations

[Susie David]

When do most folks give the calves their first shots and what do you normally give? Know there are regional concerns, just looking for a opinion. We've been waiting until they are three months and do them when we work the rest before breeding.
DMc

 

[dun]

We worm and blackleg them when we work i the spring. Ca;ves run from a month or so to a week or so. Then in the fall they get the full deal with boosters along with worming

dun

 

[BlackBaldyMan]

Over on the Westside of WA we catch calves at 2-4 days old, band them if they are bulls, eartag, iodine navel if not dried up, give three shots: one silenium (silenium deficiency in this part of the country), one 8 way, and the last is a vitamin shot.

 

[ENNOT]

We give Se and 8 way at birth. I know lots of people that only give Se at birth and wait on the 8 way until branding, and others that wait on everything until branding.

Then they get 8 way and wormer at branding/turnout.

In the fall they get Vira Shield 6 + VL5 (pre-weaning & weaning), 8 way, and wormer.

 

[randiliana]

We vaccinate with 8-way and ivomec at branding, the calves are anywhere from 1 week to 2 months old at that time. Then when we wean our replacements get another shot of 8-way, and a BVD, IBR, PI3.... as well as ivomec again.

 

[Alice]

We have some much black leg in the soil we hit them with it the minute they come out of the hutches and go in the larger communal areas that have grass...usually at about 4 weeks.

Alice

 

[Double R Ranch]

Over on the Westside of WA we catch calves at 2-4 days old, band them if they are bulls, eartag, iodine navel if not dried up, give three shots: one silenium (silenium deficiency in this part of the country), one 8 way, and the last is a vitamin shot.

Our vet claims that NO VAC. can be given until the calves are 2 months old. The only shot they get before 2 mths old is tetnus when banded. You give 8 way before 2 months? This would make things way easier for us. Right now we have to wait til a group of them is 2 months old then as each calf becomes 2 mths old we have to bring them in and vac. them and brand. then individually give them there boosters according to there age. THis has been a thorn in our sides for years!!!! Anyone else worry about there age?

 

[Bullbuyer]

Over on the Westside of WA we catch calves at 2-4 days old, band them if they are bulls, eartag, iodine navel if not dried up, give three shots: one silenium (silenium deficiency in this part of the country), one 8 way, and the last is a vitamin shot.

Our vet claims that NO VAC. can be given until the calves are 2 months old. The only shot they get before 2 mths old is tetnus when banded. You give 8 way before 2 months? This would make things way easier for us. Right now we have to wait til a group of them is 2 months old then as each calf becomes 2 mths old we have to bring them in and vac. them and brand. then individually give them there boosters according to there age. THis has been a thorn in our sides for years!!!! Anyone else worry about there age?

We work everything at once - some are a few weeks some are a few months. Its just not practical to do otherwise. If you are rounding up very many (and we are) you want to get this done when the weather is right and the help available.

 

[milkmaid]

Due to the way a calf's immune system is... vaccinating before ~2 months of age does nothing other than make you feel good that they've been "vaccinated". That's the reason for a bangs vaccination not being given before FOUR months of age. I try to work all calves in one group at once, so it ends up that they're well over 2 months of age, healthy, not stressed, etc. Vaccinate for 8-way clostridium, 5-way BVD/IBR/PI3/BRSV, 5-way Lepto and Vibrio. And worm. And then I booster everything at the appropriate time...

can't see the point in wasting vaccinations on a calf that's too young, and can't see the point in wasting them because you never do the second "booster" that they really need.

 

[Double R Ranch]

Due to the way a calf's immune system is... vaccinating before ~2 months of age does nothing other than make you feel good that they've been "vaccinated". That's the reason for a bangs vaccination not being given before FOUR months of age. I try to work all calves in one group at once, so it ends up that they're well over 2 months of age, healthy, not stressed, etc. Vaccinate for 8-way clostridium, 5-way BVD/IBR/PI3/BRSV, 5-way Lepto and Vibrio. And worm. And then I booster everything at the appropriate time...

can't see the point in wasting vaccinations on a calf that's too young, and can't see the point in wasting them because you never do the second "booster" that they really need.

:clap: Well said. That answers a lot of questions. Thanks.

Double R

 

[Scotty]

Calves at three or older. Blk leg, lepto and a MLV four way. Repeat at weaning and then 14 days after. At the weaning I start the vac 45 program per Texas A&M. Cows get Bovishield 5 FP L5 and blk leg 30 befor breeding and at weaning.