Nine reasons to vaccinate against clostridial disease

  • 1 Most clostridial diseases are rapid and end up in animals dying, meaning we have little options around treatments.
  • 2 Clostridial spores can be found on lots of farms and are widespread in soil, meaning risk of exposure for our cattle in grazing is high.

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  • 3 With dry weather, soil becomes more exposed, meaning the risk also increases. We saw that last year in the drought, with an increase in suspected cases on some farms.

  • 4 The vaccinations are relatively cheap, with most working out around 80c to €1 an animal, versus the cost of an animal dying or being lost. Vaccinations require two injections, usually three to four weeks apart to begin the primary course.
  • 5 With many farms having issues with liver fluke, clostridial vaccines are essential. Fluke damage and presence in the liver of cattle makes them more likely to succumb to clostridial diseases like blacks disease.
  • 6 Any time work is done on farm, like digging or roadworks, these can potentially unearth blackleg spores.
  • 7 Where cattle are being castrated late, this can increase the risk, so ensure they are vaccinated.
  • 8 Many clostridial diseases are commensals or found in the digestive tract of normal cattle.

  • 9 Where cattle are outwintered on root crops, vaccination makes sense and also may require a booster shot before the risk period.