Bovine Respiratory Disease vaccines
Written by Roxanne Morgan, Beef Extension Officer, Mackay.
Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD) complex is a common cause of illness in feedlot cattle. It can also impact extensively managed herds. Early weaning, mixing young cattle from multiple paddocks or properties, concurrent infection with the Mycoplasma bovis, Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (Bovine Herpes Virus-1), and Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Virus (BVDV/Pestivirus) complex, and extremes in weather, can increase disease and reduce animal performance.
Understanding the cause
BRD generally results from a combination of stress + virus + bacteria, a bit like when children start school, or you visit events such as the Ekka, then come down with ‘flu-like symptoms’. Most of the viruses and bacteria associated with BRD are regular inhabitants of the bovine respiratory tract, but ‘stress’ impacting the animals’ immune system and thus ability to fight infections, results in varying levels of disease – from mild clear nasal discharge to pneumonia with purulent nasal discharge, cough, difficulty breathing and possibly death.
Reducing the risk of illness
Vaccines have been developed against two of the more serious contributing agents in many (although not all) BRD cases – Mannheimia haemolytica (bacteria) and Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR) caused by Bovine herpes virus 1.
Vaccination can reduce the severity of BRD but does not stop animals from becoming infected and displaying symptoms. Minimising stress through good stock handling, adequate nutrition, clean water and parasite management are critical for reducing disease risk and severity.
Introducing and mixing young animals destined for lot feeding should be done during the backgrounding phase, where possible, to reduce the stress of social interaction prior to moving these animals to the feedlot.
Due to the impact of respiratory disease on animal performance, some feedlots offer premiums for animals vaccinated prior to entry. Check for specific protocols with individual feedlots.
The below table provides a brief explanation of respiratory vaccines available for cattle. If vaccinating for disease management at weaning, additional boosters will be required before (or at) feedlot induction.
Respiratory vaccines for cattle
| Target organism/s | Administration | Immunity | Indications | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bovishield MH-One (Zoetis) | Mannheimia haemolytica (MH) bacteria, including Australian isolates | Single subcutaneous injection | Develops within 7 days and lasts at least 120 days | At or before stressful situations e.g. weaning, saleyard transfer, backgrounding, feedlot induction.For maximum protection calves should be vaccinated 14 days before weaning. Animals should be vaccinated at least seven days before transport and exposure to other stressors. |
| Rhinogard IBR (Zoetis) | Aids in control of Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR) caused by bovine herpes virus 1 (BHV 1) | Single intranasal spray | Localised specific (against BHV 1) and non-specific (general protection of the respiratory tract) immune response develops within 4 days; also generates systemic immune response | At or before stressful situations e.g. weaning, saleyard transfer, backgrounding, feedlot induction. |
| Bovilis MH + IBR (Coopers) | MH (2 strains from Australian isolates), IBR (BHV 1) | Two subcutaneous injections, 14 – 180 days apart | Full immunity develops 14 days after the second injection | At backgrounding for protection on feedlot induction. Can be given to pregnant cows to pass protection to calves through colostrum to reduce calf pneumonia. Second dose should be at least three weeks before calving (more of an issue for dairy calf management). |
| Bovilis MH SS RTU (Coopers) | MH (2 strains from Australian isolates) | Single subcutaneous injection | Strong immunity develops after 7 days; peak response at 14 days and lasting at least 180 days | For maximum protection, administer at least seven days before exposure to stressful situations. Can be given to pregnant cows to pass antibodies in colostrum to young calves. Two injections in the last trimester of pregnancy are required for this effect, with the second dose at least three weeks before calving and the first ideally 28 days earlier. |
| Bovilis MH (Coopers) | Aids in the control of MH | Two subcutaneous injections, 3 - 4 weeks apart | Targeted at feedlotting, with the first dose given during backgrounding and the booster on feedlot entry. |
For more information specific to your situation, please contact your local beef extension officer or veterinarian.