CLOSTRIDIAL ADVICE. Schering-Plough Coopers: committed to serious clostridial protection on New Zealand farms.

Transcription

1 CLOSTRIDIAL ADVICE. Schering-Plough Coopers: committed to serious clostridial protection on New Zealand farms. Schering-Plough Coopers: committed to serious clostridial protection on New Zealand farms. MULTINE, NILVAX, LAMB VACCINE Registered pursuant to the ACVM Act 1997, No s; A934, A935, A3832, A3977, A1009, A1001. Registered trademark. Schering-Plough Animal Health Ltd, 33 Whakatiki Street, Upper Hutt. Phone: NIL

2 Contents. 1. The significance of clostridial diseases. 2. Spread of clostridial bacteria. Risk factors for clostridial diseases. 4. Vaccination programmes. 6. The five common clostridial diseases found in New Zealand. 8. Docking/tailing vaccination. Cattle vaccination programme. 9. Products. 12. Vaccination technique. 14. Vaccine storage. Questions and Answers. 17. Glossary. The significance of clostridial diseases. Farmers have always had to battle against clostridial diseases: Blood Poisoning in ewes at lambing, or in hoggets grazing winter crops; Tetanus and Navel III in lambs or calves; Pulpy Kidney in the best lambs, hoggets or calves; and Blackleg in prime beef animals. Clostridial disease develops in oxygen free and energy rich conditions. For example muscle bruising damages blood supply causing reduced oxygen levels. This triggers Blackleg spores in the energy rich muscle tissue to rapidly multiply and produce toxins. These toxins are released locally and into the blood stream (toxaemia) and are extremely potent so dead animals are often the first sign of clostridial disease. Widespread preventative vaccination over the past 30 years has reduced losses; nevertheless clostridial diseases remain a major threat to animal health, welfare and farm profitability, especially with demands for increased farm productivity. Prevention by vaccination the only answer! Eradication of clostridia is impossible. Some exist as spores in soil for decades; others survive for an animal s lifetime in the muscles, gut, or liver of otherwise healthy stock. Some are an important part of the normal intestinal (gut) flora. Most clostridial vaccines contain inactivated toxins called toxoids. Vaccination induces the immune system to produce memory cells that make antibodies (also called antitoxins) against these toxoids. If memory cells encounter these toxins again, they produce antibodies, which bind and neutralise the toxin. Booster vaccinations reinforce this memory. Each type of clostridial toxin requires a specific antibody to neutralise it, hence vaccines contain multiple types of clostridial bacteria toxoids. The five common clostridial diseases are; Pulpy Kidney, Tetanus, Blackleg, Malignant Oedema and Black Disease (the last three cause Blood Poisoning or Navel III). Other less common clostridial diseases are also found in New Zealand. Prevention of disease by vaccination is thus the only viable method of control.

3 Spread of clostridial bacteria. Bacteria are spread between animals in faeces and soil. These materials can either be eaten or contaminate wounds. Ingested bacterial spores can either remain in the gut, or enter the blood and lymph and spread to muscles, liver and spleen. In susceptible (at risk) animals, certain events can trigger these spores to germinate and cause disease (see risk factors below). For example Pulpy Kidney bacteria live normally in the gut, however, given a change in diet or a diet rich in carbohydrates, they grow rapidly and release toxins into the blood stream. Vaccines work by getting the animal s body to produce antitoxins to neutralise these toxins in the blood before they can do damage to organs such as the kidneys. Risk factors for clostridial disease. Why are animals at risk? Because clostridial bacteria are everywhere in soil, sewage, decaying animal and vegetable material, and in the gut and other organs of animals, including humans all stock are exposed. Environmental factors. Dietary factors: Multiplication of bacteria in the gut, especially in fast growing younger animals on a high level of nutrition, Diets rich in carbohydrates or protein (cereal feeding), High intakes, or changes in the diet (spring growth, new pasture), Crop feeding. Increased exposure to bacteria or spores: From decomposing animals, soils rich in organic matter, Increased intake of spores from soil and mud, flooded pastures, yarding, Intensive grazing, especially winter and spring, Faecal contamination of feed. As all farm animals, especially those intensively farmed, are exposed to some or most of these risks the likelihood of disease without vaccination is high. Risk factors are anything that makes an animal more likely to get diseased. For clostridia these include a mixture of animal and environmental factors: Animal factors. Reduced or no immunity: Animals that are not vaccinated or not vaccinated properly, Insufficient protection from colostrum; not enough colostrum or no pre-lamb or precalving vaccination of the dam, Insufficient time to develop immunity (especially young animals), Undernourished or unhealthy animals where the immune response is compromised. Injury and wound infection: Trauma from fighting, mustering, yarding, Castration, tailing/docking, ear marking, surgical wounds, Calving or lambing, Teething, gum damage from crops. Damage to the liver: Toxins from the diet (facial eczema fungal toxins), Migration of liver fluke, Physical trauma to the liver from fighting, yarding, Inflammation of the rumen (rumenitis). The issue is not exposure but avoiding risks that lead to actual disease. 3

4 Vaccination programmes. Newborn lambs, kids and calves rely on antibodies in colostrum for protection against numerous diseases, including those caused by clostridial bacteria. This is known as passive protection because it does not involve the animal itself developing an immune response. Vaccinating the pregnant dam before giving birth significantly boosts the quantity of antibodies in her blood, which pass into the colostrum just at the time colostrum is being formed. Provided her offspring suckle, these antibodies give passive protection for weeks. This vaccination also boosts her immunity at a high risk period. If dams are not vaccinated they are at greater risk of Blood Poisoning, especially during lambing, and their offspring are at greater risk of Navel III, Tetanus or Pulpy Kidney. All clostridial vaccines require a primary vaccination programme of two vaccinations (a sensitiser and a booster), followed by an annual booster vaccination. Primary programme: This generally should begin with the first (sensitiser) vaccination at weaning when the passive protection from the dam will have expired, and animals are at risk of clostridial disease. Ideally the second (booster) vaccination is given 4-6 weeks later. This interval between sensitiser and booster vaccinations can be extended up to a maximum of 5 months, for example sensitiser at mating and booster at pre-lamb. Delaying the second vaccination, however, results in animals being at greater risk of clostridial disease. Booster programme: For females the annual booster is given 2-6 weeks prior to lambing, calving or kidding. For males the annual booster is given prior to periods of high risk. For example, prior to mating or increased feed levels. The recommended timing of clostridial vaccinations for a sheep breeding flock is shown below. A similar programme can be used in a goat herd. Recommended clostridial vaccination flock programme (sheep) Lambs Hoggets 2-tooths Ewes Rams Pre-lamb Weaning Mating Sensitiser i, followed by Booster 4-6 weeks later If lambing, Booster ii Annual Booster iii Annual Booster iv Annual Booster v i. Lamb vaccination. The primary programme should begin with a sensitising vaccination at weaning followed by a booster dose 4-6 weeks later. A minimum is vaccination of all replacement ewe lambs and ram lambs in a ram breeding flock at weaning. Depending on risk or flock history, other lambs may also be vaccinated. ii. Hogget vaccination. If vaccinated twice as lambs: Non-pregnant hoggets do not require further vaccination until pre-lamb 2-tooths; in-lamb hoggets require a single pre-lamb vaccination. If not vaccinated as lambs: All hoggets should receive a primary vaccination programme. The first (sensitising) vaccination is given just prior, or 4-6 weeks after mating. The second (booster) vaccination is given 2-6 weeks pre-lamb. iii. 2-tooth vaccination. If vaccinated twice as lambs or hoggets, 2-tooths require a single pre-lamb booster vaccination. Non-vaccinated 2-tooths or those that received a single vaccination as a lamb or hogget require a primary vaccination programme. The first sensitising vaccination is given just prior to, or 4-6 weeks after mating. The second vaccination is given 2-6 weeks pre-lamb. If the pre-tup (pre-mating) sensitiser is missed, then ewes must be sensitised at least 4 weeks before the pre-lamb booster. iv. Annual booster. Ewes that have had a primary programme and a vaccination prior to their previous lambing require an annual pre-lamb booster 2-6 weeks pre-lamb. v. Ram vaccination. The vaccination history of purchased rams may be unknown. If so, begin with a two-shot primary programme after purchase followed by an annual vaccination prior to mating. In ram breeding flocks, ram lambs require a primary programme beginning at weaning.

5 The five common clostridial diseases found in New Zealand. Disease Pulpy Kidney Tetanus Blood Poisoning Black Disease Sudden Death Causal bacteria C. perfringens Type D C. tetanus C. septicum, C. chauvoei or C. novyi C. novyi C. perfringens Type A, C. sordellii Source of infection Normal gut inhabitant that enters mainly by ingestion of bacteria or spores from faecal contaminated udder, pasture or soil. Contamination of deep wounds with bacteria or spores Wound infection or ingestion and spread of spores to muscle, liver and other tissues. Spores lie dormant in tissues until conditions are suitable. Occurrence NZ-wide and common. The most important cause of death in lambs between docking/tailing and weaning. Up to 20% of animals can die in an outbreak. NZ-wide and common. Up to 10% deaths recorded. NZ-wide and common. Up to 10% deaths recorded in cattle. More common on high producing land. Regional. Uncommon. Up to 10% deaths recorded. Presumed to be uncommon. Cattle on improved land. Age All ages. Mostly in lambs from 3 to 10 weeks of age and hoggets after weaning. Calves less than 12 months of age. Goats of all ages. All ages. Mostly in lambs after tailing. Sporadically in other age groups. All ages. Navel Ill in young animals. Blackleg in cattle 6 to 24 months of age. Ewes Cattle 6 to 24 months of age. Risk factors Lush feed, change in diet, crop or grain feeding, cultivation or flooding of land, high growth rates. Single lambs. High milk producing dam. Calving, lambing, castration, docking, vaccination, drenching, dehorning, shearing, ear tagging, dipping, dog bites, dirty conditions, fly strike, cultivation or flooding of land, and grazing root crops. Calving, lambing, castration, docking, vaccination, drenching, dehorning, shearing, ear tagging, dipping, dog bites, dirty conditions, fly strike, cultivation or flooding of land, and grazing root crops. Liver damage, in particular due to migrated liver fluke. Lush feed, change in diet, crop or grain feeding, cultivation or flooding of land high growth rates. Diagnosis Classical clinical signs. Classical clinical signs. No blood or tissue test available. Difficult as clinical signs and post mortem changes can be very similar for all these bacteria. Furthermore, some of these bacteria are found in all animals after death. Clinical signs Usually found dead. If within a few hours of death, straw colour fluid is found in the heart sac, the lungs are congested, the kidneys and liver are soft and pulpy. The contents of the small intestine may be cream coloured. If alive: diarrhoea, incoordination, blindness, an arched back or convulsions may be seen. Abdominal pain is seen in adult goats. Rigid muscles, exaggerated responses, stiffness, prolapse of the third eyelid, spasms and death usually after a few days. Lockjaw. Found dead, usually with bloodstained froth from the nose and mouth, a rapidly distended gas-filled bloated carcass, areas of skin discolouration. Areas of dark red to black gas-filled muscle may be seen on postmortem. In sheep, the wool plucks easily. If alive, lameness, depression and recumbency may be seen. Disorders with similar signs Gram negative Septicaemia, Salmonellosis, Listeriosis, Redgut, Polioencephalomalacia (PEM), White Muscle Disease, Grass Staggers, Milk Fever, Bloat, Poisonings, Redwater (Bacillary haemoglobinuria) or Acute Fascioliasis (liver fluke disease). Other names Overeating Disease, Enterotoxaemia, Focal symmetrical encephalomalacia. Navel Ill, Malignant Oedema, Blackleg. Infectious necrotic hepatitis. 6

6 Docking/tailing vaccination. Normally vaccination at tailing is not required. However, if ewes have not received a primary programme and/or a pre-lamb vaccination, or the ewe vaccination history is not known, lambs need vaccinating at tailing/docking. Use LAMB VACCINE to give immediate short-term passive protection of lambs against Tetanus. This vaccination also acts as a sensitising vaccination against Pulpy Kidney. Lambs will still however require a full two dose primary vaccination programme starting at weaning. Cattle vaccination programme. Dairy or Beef herd. The same principles for sheep apply to cattle. A two dose primary vaccination programme followed by an annual booster. All replacements and animals retained for finishing should be vaccinated at weaning and again 4-6 weeks later. Breeding females require an annual booster 2-6 weeks prior to calving. Maternal transfer provides protection of calves against Tetanus at high risk times such as castration, ear tagging, dehorning. Beef finishing. When purchasing older stock for finishing, unless known, assume no vaccinations and give a sensitising vaccination on arrival followed by a booster 4-6 weeks later. On some farms, where disease risk is high or other clostridial diseases are suspected, consult a veterinarian for advice on a farm-specific programme. Products. Table 1: Vaccine Range Summary. Product Sheep Cattle Blood Pulpy Tetanus Red Sudden Witholding Selenised Poisoning/ Kidney Water Death period available* Navel III Syndrome LAMB VACCINE nil MULTINE 5 in 1 nil NILVAX days Covexin 10 nil * MULTINE 5 in 1 SELENISED should not be used for lambs at tailing due to a risk of toxicity, or for cattle as the dose rate of selenium is insufficient. MULTINE 5 in 1 and MULTINE 5 in 1 SELENISED. A clostridial vaccine for the active stimulation of immunity in sheep, goats and cattle against all five common clostridial diseases in New Zealand; i.e. Blackleg, Malignant Oedema, Black Disease, Pulpy Kidney and Tetanus. Administration to females prior to giving birth also provides passive protection via colostrum to suckled offspring. Where selenium supplementation of sheep is required, the use of MULTINE 5 in 1 SELENISED (2.5mg/mL of selenium) provides protection against selenium responsive diseases, such as white muscle disease, as well as improved fertility, improved growth rates and improved wool production. Usage MULTINE 5 in 1 is intended for use as per the programmes outlined on page 5. MULTINE 5 in 1 is administered by subcutaneous injection in the anterior half of the neck. Dose Sheep and goats = 2mL Cattle under 4 months = 2mL Cattle over 4 months = 4mL Withholding period Nil

7 NILVAX and NILVAX SELENISED. A combined clostridial vaccine and levamisole (clear) drench for the active stimulation of immunity in hoggets, ewes and rams. NILVAX provides protection against all five common clostridial diseases in New Zealand; i.e. Blackleg, Malignant Oedema, Black Disease, Pulpy Kidney and Tetanus. Used 2 6 weeks pre-lamb, NILVAX also provides passive protection to suckled offspring via colostrum. NILVAX also controls all the important mature and immature gastrointestinal roundworms and lungworm in sheep, reducing worm burdens and improving live-weight gains, wool production and lactation. Superior immune response. NILVAX s combination of a clostridial vaccine with levamisole increases the immune response in sheep compared to other clostridial vaccines. The practical significance of this is: There are more antibodies available for transfer in colostrum, which will result in longer protection for lambs born to those ewes (up to 16 weeks) and a greater quantity for dividing among multiple lambs. The number of poorly responding sheep is reduced: Ewes vary in their ability to respond to vaccination. Because there is very little crosssuckling, lambs from poor or non-responding ewes have a greater risk of death and a reduced length of protection from Pulpy Kidney. Ewes can be vaccinated earlier than with conventional clostridial vaccines and still transfer significant protection to lambs via colostrum. Usage Dose NILVAX is intended for use in sheep as per the programmes outlined on page 5. NILVAX is administered by subcutaneous injection in the anterior half of the neck. Where selenium supplementation of sheep is required, the use of NILVAX SELENISED (1.25mg/mL) provides protection against selenium responsive diseases such as White Muscle Disease, as well as improved fertility, improved growth rates and improved wool production kg = 3.5mL 66-80kg = 4.5mL 91-95kg = 5.5mL COVEXIN 10 Covexin 10 is a highly potent, low dose clostridial vaccine which offers protection against all 10 clostridial pathogens. Covexin 10 is a best practice vaccine that keeps pace with the latest changes in farming methods. It provides a vital risk management approach for farmers whose methods are aimed at maximising growth rates and productivity. Farmers in the dairy, beef and sheep industries, especially those pushing boundaries to increase productivity, require greater protection of at-risk stock. Sudden and unexpected clostridial deaths are on the rise in these animals. Covexin 10 is the only vaccine to protect rapidly growing livestock against all 10 clostridia, including those that cause Sudden Death Syndrome (for example, C. sordellii and C. perfringens type A). There is significant investment payback for Covexin 10. By saving one valuable dairy, beef or sheep animal over a 12 month period, the full cost of vaccination will be covered. Usage Dose Sheep: 1mL Cattle: 2mL Vaccination at three months of age in both sheep and cattle provides immunity for at least one year following the booster vaccination. Two doses in previously unvaccinated animals are needed: a sensitiser followed by a booster 4-6 weeks later. An annual booster is needed. Covexin 10 is effective in sheep and cattle from as young as two weeks of age. Administration is by subcutaneous injection in the anterior half of the neck. Withholding period Nil Please note: Covexin 10 is a Prescription Animal Remedy, and is available only through veterinarians kg = 4.0mL 81-90kg = 5.0mL kg = 6.0mL Do not use in sheep less than 20 kg because of the risk of levamisole toxicity. Do not exceed stated dose volume or frequency. Withholding period Meat: 21 days. Milk: 35 days

8 LAMB VACCINE and LAMB VACCINE SELENISED. A clostridial vaccine recommended for lambs at docking/tailing that provides immediate, short term (2-3 weeks), passive protection against Tetanus and active stimulation of immunity against Pulpy Kidney. Usage LAMB VACCINE is for use in lambs born to ewes that did not receive a primary programme and/or a pre-lamb vaccination. Lambs will still however require a full two dose primary vaccination programme (see page 5). LAMB VACCINE SELENISED (1.0mg/mL of selenium) provides selenium supplementation to lambs if required. LAMB VACCINE is administered by subcutaneous injection in the anterior half of the neck. Dose 2mL Withholding Nil Work in clean, dust free yards. Do not vaccinate wet or dirty sheep. This increases the risk of injection site infection and just yarding wet sheep can spread diseases such as lumpy wool. Keep vaccine cool and out of the sun as much as possible. Open a pack carefully and cleanly. Pierce the pack with a new, sharp, clean draw-off stylet only. Vaccination technique. To minimise carcase damage and subsequent down-grading, and to prevent further infection and ensure the vaccine works, give careful attention to vaccination technique, volume and hygiene. Vaccination is not a race and requires training to perform correctly. Check the expiry date. Only use vaccine within its use-by date. Read the label and leaflet carefully. If using a reusable vaccinating gun ensure it has been stored correctly (see pg 14). If unsure, or if it has been stored for a long period of time, re-sterilise prior to use. Check the gun and calibrate volume setting by delivering, say five 2mL doses (10mL) into a graduated medicine flask. Discard the vaccine. Use only sterilised, short (12 to 16mm), sharp 18 gauge needles Sterilise needles by boiling in water, and store in meths. Note needles in multi-packs are not sterile and must be boiled prior to use. Have a plentiful supply of needles and change frequently or if a needle becomes dirty or damaged. Discard blunt or damaged needles. Tent skin on the side of the neck just behind the ear. Insert the needle at a slight angle and inject the vaccine subcutaneously, i.e. between the skin and muscle. Resistance to injection should be minimal. Resistance to injection is usually caused by attempting to inject into the skin or underlying muscle. Demonstration of tenting the skin on the side of the neck when vaccinating. YES NO Injection site Skin Muscle Correct (left) and incorrect (right) needle placement for subcutaneous injection

9 Vaccine Gun Storage If using a reusable vaccinating gun 1, after the last use, clean and disinfect (usually by boiling) following the manufacturer s recommendations. If a disinfectant is used during cleaning, wash all remnants of the disinfectant away with boiled water. Unless not recommended, prevent the seals from drying out by storing with boiled water in the barrel. Vaccine storage. Store all vaccines away from light (i.e. in their carton) in a fridge at 2º to 8ºC. Do not freeze. A partially used pack can be kept for use for the next day (maximum 36 hours) if the following steps are taken: 1. Carefully remove the draw-off tube from the stopper. 2. Empty the draw-off tube and vaccinator by depressing the plunger several times. 3. Remove the draw-off tube from the vaccinator. 4. Disinfect the stopper. 5. Store vaccine upright in the refrigerator. DO NOT FREEZE. Questions and Answers. 1. What is the best vaccination programme to use? Vaccinate ewes pre-lamb with NILVAX (2-6 weeks pre-lamb) or MULTINE 5 in 1 (2-4 weeks pre-lamb). Suckled lambs get passive colostrum protection from this vaccination. At weaning vaccinate lambs with MULTINE 5 in 1 (sensitiser) and again 4-6 weeks later (booster). Annual pre-lamb vaccination with NILVAX of hoggets, two-tooths and mixed age ewes. This is the gold standard, for variations of this see other options under Vaccination Programmes on page What if I do not know the vaccination status of sheep? Assume they have not been vaccinated and give a primary programme of two vaccinations (sensitiser and booster). 1. Note some brands of plastic vaccinating guns are designed for single use and the manufacturers recommend disposal after use. 3. What if clostridial disease continues to be a problem in lambs prior to weaning in a fully vaccinated flock? On rare occasions clostridial disease can occur in lambs in fully vaccinated flocks. Check there has been a primary programme of two vaccinations 4-6 weeks apart, and a correctly timed pre-lamb vaccination. If so, suggestions to improve protection; 1. Use NILVAX as the pre-lamb vaccination. This maximises the response of each individual ewe, resulting in maximum duration and level of protection. 2. Begin a three shot MULTINE 5 in 1 primary vaccination programme for lambs. The first dose is given at docking/tailing followed by a second at weaning. It is recommended a third is given 4-6 weeks after the weaning vaccination. NOTE: The selenised version of MULTINE is not recommended for use at tailing. Check the diagnosis, as other diseases can cause similar symptoms (see pg 6-7). 4. What is the maximum interval between the first sensitiser and booster vaccinations during the primary vaccination programme? Five months. Ideally the second (booster) vaccination is given 4-6 weeks later. Delaying the booster vaccination means animals are at risk of clostridial disease. 5. What is the maximum interval between annual vaccinations once a primary programme has been completed? This has not been determined, but an interval of 18 months is suggested. Annual vaccinations are still required pre-lamb to have peak antibody levels in the ewe s blood during colostrum development. 6. Can lambs be vaccinated at docking/tailing other than with LAMB VACCINE? Yes, lambs can develop an immune response from birth. There is a concern that antibodies transferred in the colostrum (maternal antibodies) interfere with early vaccination. There is conflicting information about this. Recent research has shown mixed results and a pragmatic approach is recommended. Vaccination programmes should start at weaning, unless there is a reason to vaccinate earlier (i.e. clostridial deaths prior to and within the first week of weaning). If vaccination is started earlier, lambs should get a three shot programme see question 3 above. 7. How long are lambs protected from Pulpy Kidney by maternal protection? Somewhere between 8 to 16 weeks. Individual ewes may not however respond or respond poorly to the pre-lamb vaccination and the lambs born to these ewes may have low levels of protection. Steps can be taken to improve the response rate (see question 3 above). Use of NILVAX pre-lamb will reduce the number of poorly responding ewes and increase lamb protection

10 8. Why not just vaccinate with LAMB VACCINE at tailing instead of vaccinating ewes pre-lamb with NILVAX or MULTINE 5 in 1? If ewes are not pre-lamb vaccinated they are at risk of clostridial diseases such as Blood Poisoning (i.e. Malignant Oedema or Blackleg) or Tetanus at lambing. LAMB VACCINE will give lambs short term protection (2-3 weeks) against Tetanus from tailing, however they are still not protected against the other clostridial disease such as Navel III. LAMB VACCINE acts as a sensitising dose against Pulpy Kidney so will give some low-level protection, but this is short term and will not cover lambs through the important risk period as they increase grazing. It is also more cost-effective to pre-lamb vaccinate ewes with MULTINE 5 in 1. If lambing percentage is greater than 100%, more doses of LAMB VACCINE than MULTINE 5 in 1 will be needed. 9. How long can a pack be stored after opening? Store all vaccines away from light (i.e. in their carton) in a fridge at 2 to 8ºC. Do not freeze. A partially used pack can be kept for use for the next day (maximum 36 hours) if the following steps are taken: 1. Carefully remove the draw-off tube from the stopper. 2. Empty the draw-off tube and vaccinator by depressing the plunger several times. 3. Remove the draw-off tube from the vaccinator. 4. Disinfect the stopper. 5. Store vaccine upright in the refrigerator. DO NOT FREEZE. 10. What happens if vaccine is stored a room temperature? The label instruction and recommendation is to store between 2-8 C. Schering-Plough Coopers testing has confirmed that increased storage temperature reduces the shelf life. 11. What happens if vaccine is frozen? Schering-Plough Coopers clostridial vaccines cannot be frozen as this renders the vaccine ineffective. 12. Can I vaccinate with other vaccines at the same time? If other vaccines are to be used at the same time, and they carry no specific warnings for concurrent use, then it is advisable to inject at separate sites, ideally on opposite side of the neck. Glossary. Active protection. Protection derived from the animal s own immune system e.g. following natural exposure or vaccination. Antibody. A protein produced by the immune system that recognises foreign substances introduced to the body, and which facilitates removal of the antigen from the body. Antigen. Any substance (often protein) that produces an immune response. Antigenicity. Ability of a substance to produce an immune response. Annual booster. Booster vaccination given 12 months after the full primary vaccination (sensitiser and booster). Bacterin. Vaccine containing all or part of killed or inactivated bacteria. Booster vaccination. The second vaccination in a primary vaccination programme. Protection is faster, greater, and long-term compared to the sensitiser. Clostridia. Anaerobic (non-oxygen) spore forming bacteria, found in soil, vegetation, animal tissue and the alimentary tract of most animals including man. Responsible for clostridial infection and disease. Passive protection. Protection from an external source, not from the animal s own immune system, e.g.: antibodies in colostrum, tetanus anti-toxin in LAMB VACCINE. Primary vaccination. A programme of 2 vaccinations using a killed or inactivated vaccine; a sensitiser followed by a booster ideally 4-6 weeks later. Sensitiser vaccination. The first vaccination in a primary vaccination programme. Protection is slower, lesser, and short-term compared to a booster vaccination. Spore. Inactive, very resistant body formed by bacteria (e.g. clostridia), often under adverse conditions, able to survive for long periods (years), activated and proliferate when conditions suitable. Fully infectious resting stage. Toxin. A poison, often a protein, or polysaccharide, produced by bacteria (clostridia) and other organisms. Exotoxins are produced by bacteria and diffuse into tissues, endotoxins are produced when bacteria are broken down. Very potent, minute amounts can be lethal and are very antigenic. Toxoid. Inactivated toxin used as an antigen in a vaccine. Vaccination. Use of an agent to produce immunity to a specific disease or range of diseases. Also known as immunisation. Vaccine. Preparation of killed or attenuated micro-organisms (bacteria, virus) or portions of these, or inactivated toxins used for vaccination