This year’s high liver fluke risk is also pre-disposing cattle to black disease. (1)
Farmers should consider clostridial vaccination and appropriate fluke control to help avoid potentially serious livestock losses.
Associated black disease is emerging as a significant and potentially catastrophic issue. The tissue damage caused by flukes migrating through the liver provides an ideal breeding ground for clostridia bacteria. Clostridial toxins kill quickly, and these diseases present few clinical signs before death. As a result, more cattle should be vaccinated with a clostridial disease vaccine such as Bravoxin Suspension.
The rise in liver fluke infections and associated black disease is not the only reason why broad-spectrum clostridial vaccination has become more popular. There was a time that blackleg was the only clostridial disease cattle producers were aware of, but now that additional clostridial bacteria such as C. sordellii and C. perfringens A have also been identified as causes of sudden death on UK cattle farms it makes sense to broaden cover.
Clostridial diseases are responsible for a huge number of costly cattle and sheep losses on UK farms. Clostridial bacteria take the lives of cattle and sheep on a regular basis and are the cause of a significant proportion of the sudden livestock deaths in the UK. (2)
Clostridial bacteria share the same environment as livestock and are ever-present – existing in soil, on pasture, within buildings and even in the tissues and intestines of cattle and sheep. Consequently, improved farm biosecurity measures will be of no benefit in controlling this group of diseases.
The sheep industry already recognises the importance of broad-spectrum vaccination against clostridial diseases, but more cattle producers are also recognising the benefit.
Anecdotal feedback from vets suggests there are many cattle deaths going undiagnosed. As a result, we are now advising many of our clients to take a broader-spectrum vaccination approach to ensure adequate protection – not only of the cows themselves – but also their calves. This can be achieved through good colostral transfer, or ideally through the continued protection of youngstock through their own vaccination using Bravoxin Suspension.
*Vaccination should be used as part of an integrated approach to disease prevention including colostrum management, hygiene and biosecurity.
1. https://www.afbini.gov.uk/news/high-risk-liver-fluke-infection-sheep-and-cattle-autumn-and-winter-20232024
2. Otter and Uzal, Clostridial Disease in Farm Animals, In Practice May 2020
Bravoxin® suspension for injection for cattle and sheep contains Clostridia vaccine antigens. POM-VPS.
Further information is available from the SPC, datasheet or package leaflet. MSD Animal Health UK Limited. Registered office Walton Manor, Walton, Milton Keynes MK7 7AJ, UK. Registered in England & Wales no. 946942. Advice should be sought from the medicine prescriber.
Use Medicines Responsibly.