Case Study: One-Dose Custom Pinkeye Vaccine Saves Dairy Farmers Time and Labor

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Producers and veterinarians continue to search for ways to minimize antibiotic use while controlling emerging species of pinkeye bacteria such as Moraxella bovoculi and Mycoplasma bovoculi. For herd-specific solutions that help reduce time, labor and expense, Sarah Giebel, DVM, a veterinarian who works primarily with dairy calf ranches in the Texas panhandle, says she’s had success controlling pinkeye using custom-made vaccines with a one-dose adjuvant.

Many bovine custom-made vaccines require an initial administration and a second booster shot several weeks later, but due to the added labor cost and logistical challenges associated with administering the second dose, it is commonly overlooked. This can compromise the effectiveness of the vaccine.

Bio One™, a proprietary one-dose adjuvant from Newport Laboratories, Inc., removes the need for a booster shot, making it easier for producers and veterinarians to keep their herds healthy. According to Dr. Giebel and Justin Ball, owner and dairy calf ranch manager at Deer Creek Feeding, LLC in Dalhart, Texas, the one-dose adjuvant has eliminated the risk of compromising vaccine efficacy and reduced stress on their herd.

The start of a two-dose regimen

“As the pinkeye landscape started changing, our 85,000-head ranch began having issues with some bugs that are not typically in a commercial vaccine,” said Ball. “At this point, we’ve been using custom-made pinkeye vaccines for nearly ten years.”

After switching to a custom-made vaccine, Deer Creek Feeding saw major improvements in reducing pinkeye cases within their herd. However, switching to a two-dose vaccine was very labor-intensive, Ball continued.

“Administering a two-dose vaccine to this size herd is very difficult,” said Ball. “There’s always the potential of employees missing calves or calves getting out of the hutch. It’s nearly impossible to not miss an animal at some point.”

“Our incidence rates dropped by over 35 percent after changing our pinkeye control program to include a custom-made vaccine that protects against Moraxella bovis, Moraxella bovoculi and Mycoplasma bovis,” said Dr. Giebel.

A one-dose adjuvant makes the difference

In 2019, BIO ONE was released, offering veterinarians and producers a more convenient solution to protect their herds against pinkeye. Deer Creek Feeding was one of the first to switch to the one-dose vaccine.

“It’s been working even better than the two-dose vaccine which came as a surprise to us,” said Ball. “We no longer have to handle our cattle twice. This is huge because it reduces the potential of losing gains and compromising vaccine efficacy.”

These results suggest that a proactive, preventative approach to pinkeye using custom-made vaccines may help minimize outbreaks and reduce the number of cattle needing antibiotic treatment. At the same time, vaccination is just one part of pinkeye control; it’s still important to review biosecurity protocols unrelated to vaccines such as fly control, dust reduction and closing herds.

To learn how custom-made vaccines could help solve your or your clients’ herd-health challenges, contact your Boehringer Ingelheim representative or visit NewportLabs.com.