Producers gearing up for spring calving should be aware of reports of a rise in the number of cases of Salmonella Dublin, which can be linked to abortion, frequently late in pregnancy. Recently released data indicates an increasing incidence rate of this type of Salmonella infection and is accompanied by advice to consider vaccinating in-calf cows with Bovivac® S.
After four years of steady decline, figures released by SAC Veterinary Services, and reported in the Veterinary Record, show this bacteria increased slightly in 2007. This showed no sign of changing in 2008, with levels still climbing.
Bovivac S controls both common types of Salmonella - S. dublin and S. typhimurium, the latter of which can be passed on to humans. Given 3-4 weeks before calving, it combines dam protection at a time when her immune system is compromised, with a boost to colostrum antibody levels. This therefore means that newborn calves are similarly protected from infection as soon as they drink enough colostrum.
Vaccination, however, needs to be done together with an appraisal of disease risk factors – outbreaks can be linked to bought-in naïve stock or wild birds. Good hygiene is equally important to reduce spread, while paying attention to stress levels at housing and calving controls the shedding of infection by carrier cows.
