BT vaccine day tomorrow!

moomin · Post by **moomin** » Wed May 07, 2008 6:31 pm

If all goes well will be vaccinating tomorrow and the next day and the next day-----------. A lot of extra work but it has to be done. Most animals are on the home farm -can't turn out onto conservation grazing until vaccinated, would never catch them, so having to buy extra feed.
Still it is not as bad as having TB so must be thankful.
Vet has had the vaccine since Tuesday but haven't had supply of sterimatic injection guns yet, would you believe! We were promised free guns but would have to buy needles so we have all got needles but no guns! Usual cock up. Farm animal suppliers have not ordered guns as they didn't think anybody would want them!
Am having one posted from Devon.
Mole Valley Farmers co-op are on the internet and their prices are really good compared with round here. I can recommend them for supplies - they are really helpful and will deliver anywhere UK. Suggest you have a look at their site.
Di [from sunny Dover]

Broomcroft · Post by **Broomcroft** » Thu May 08, 2008 6:49 am

I have ordered our vaccine and it will arrive July (we're in Shropshire). We are a Surveillance Zone but I had heard that the vaccine won't be licensed for use unless our status changes to a Protection Zone.

Martin · Post by **Martin** » Thu May 08, 2008 8:00 am

I'm in the protection zone, not far from 'sunny Dover' and my vet has not recieved the vaccine yet!

Martin. Medway Valley Dexters.

justmalc · Post by **justmalc** » Thu May 08, 2008 8:59 am

We have stock in the protection zone and our vaccine arrived yesterday. An Intervet technician explained to me that vaccination can only take place in a designated protection zone so the protection zone will be extended as widespread uptake is confirmed in the existing protection zones not sure of the targets set before zones will be extended. I'm surprised that a vet in Shropshire can state July delivery unless he knows of scheduled zone extension dates.

I wonder how quickly this will take place - at present we can only enter shows broadly to our east but things could change quite quickly.

natmadaboutdexters · Post by **natmadaboutdexters** » Thu May 08, 2008 10:25 am

Our cattle are in Buckinghamshire and our vaccine arrived on Friday last week. I have injected the first dose and now have to wait another 3 weeks for the second before I can turn out.
Natasha

AlisonKirk · Post by **AlisonKirk** » Thu May 08, 2008 10:40 am

Our vet's newsletter for March stated that DEFRA would gradually move the PZ westwards. April's newsletter asked farmers not to ring in to order vaccine unless in the PZ area & to check with DEFRA to find out which zone applies.

Alison Kirk
Boram Dexters

jeanthomas · Post by **jeanthomas** » Thu May 08, 2008 10:49 am

Our vaccine was collected yesterday. Our vet seems to be totally organised and has made arrangements for the likes of me with few animals to share with others in a similar position.

The retired farmer in our village did his stock yesterday morning then dropped off 17mm for my animals. Considering my turn out fiasco at the weekend, the vaccination went well. Cows obligingly walked into their stalls at the promise of food, allowed me to halter them and were generally really well behaved. I was shocked, never thought it would go that well. Vet will find me another 7ml in three weeks time for the cattle.

Just hope the midges dont arrive from France! I understand that they have a different strain of BT against which our vaccination will be useless!

Jean

Broomcroft · Post by **Broomcroft** » Thu May 08, 2008 1:35 pm

I'm surprised that a vet in Shropshire can state July delivery unless he knows of scheduled zone extension dates

Well he didn't sound very convincing. They've probably got projected dates, or maybe that's the earliest they can get the vaccine because of lack of supply. Pass!

Edited By Broomcroft on 1210250145

moomin · Post by **moomin** » Thu May 08, 2008 10:35 pm

Had the vet today to vaccinate those we need a certificate for. He did 50 in 50 mins! He is an Indian and hindu and the cows are always very relaxed with him. My cows usually make for the hills if they spot a vet, but not with him. It really is quite amazing.
One third of the way through cattle and then sheep on Sunday.
I understand that the protection zone is to be extended westward as more vaccine becomes available until the whole country is done. Lets hope it is soon so we can all relax.
Di

Rutherford · Post by **Rutherford** » Fri May 09, 2008 8:22 am

I envy you, but it is good to know we have one valuable Dexter herd safeguarded.
Beryl (Woodmagic)

Martin · Post by **Martin** » Fri May 09, 2008 8:32 am

Received the vaccine yesterday so will be gathering animals to administer over the weekend. I was surprised to recieve two bottles, enough to give both dosses.

Martin. Medway Valley Dexters.

welshdexterboy · Post by **welshdexterboy** » Fri May 09, 2008 11:51 am

What is the cost of the vaccine and does it cover all the various types of BT we are likely to get? I along with several other Dexter keepers are right on the end of Wales next stop Ireland so we will be last to have the vaccine I suppose.

moomin · Post by **moomin** » Fri May 09, 2008 11:22 pm

Info from NBA.
PZ to be extended on Monday to all of Hampshire, West Sussex [merged] and all of Lincolnshire, Berkshire and Oxfordshire. Order vaccine if in these areas.
Soon be in Devon Beryl!
Vaccine is temperature sensitive, once up to injecting temperature must be used within 8 hours BUT if you have a 20 ml bottle and ,say, 10 cows then carefully take off 10 mls in sterile syringe whilst at fridge temp, leave needle on with cap and put straight back in fridge. This will keep for second dose. Saves you money and saves vaccine!
Di

Post by **Mark Bowles** » Sat May 10, 2008 8:51 am

Di, are you using the same needle for each animal or are you using one of those fancy sterile guns?

moomin · Post by **moomin** » Sat May 10, 2008 10:40 am

If you have a large number to do it is better to use the gun that is supplied with the vaccine as the dose of 1ml is very precise, unfortunately they have not got the stericap attachment. We were told the complete guns with stericaps would be supplied FOC! This is not the fact. The vets have been charged for them and they are about £13.00 each. You can get a stericap adaptor pack for the gun from your supplier and I have one on order.
Amit, my vet, improvised by holding a stericap separately and putting the needle through it between each injection.
YOU DO NEED TO STERILISE THE NEEDLE OR USE A FRESH NEEDLE BETWEEN EACH JAB. WE DO NOT REALLY KNOW WHAT REACTIONS WE ARE GOING TO GET, REMEMBER THIS IS LIKE A TRIAL FOR THE VACCINE SO TAKE SENSIBLE PRECAUTIONS.
I would suggest for small herds, eg 5, that you buy 5 disposable syringes, smallest is probably 2ml, [haven't seen 1ml at suppliers] and 5 needles, they are really cheap. You can then get all your vaccine ready before you start and you will have no cross contamination.
Good luck!
Di