Bangs vac ?????

needstoknowmore · #1 02/27/07, 02:20 PM

I'm running out of time to get Ellie her bangs vac before she turns a year old. But I am wondering if she really needs to have it. she will never be bred.

dosthouhavemilk · #2 02/27/07, 02:51 PM

We were told 4-6 months of age for the vaccination. If they aren't vaccinated for 6 months we don't vaccinate (and we never vaccinate the breeding bulls for Bangs). We test annually though. Vaccinating too late can cause a false positive if she is tested later.
A portion of our herd is not vaccinated and we have no problems.

jerzeygurl · #3 02/27/07, 04:17 PM

I was wondering about the false postives, dh never wants me to vacinate because of that, I do belive the vet told us we had untill 9 months, but never said why, I just assumed it wouldnt work.

Missouri has been delcared a bangs free state, so getting them tested takes some arm twisting, they act like im whacko. I dont test them all, but I am considering vacinating this years crop, not sure if that will hurt or help resale. I am planning on keeping at least 2 to be future milkers. Is there a down side to the vaccinations other than false positives.

dosthouhavemilk · #4 02/27/07, 04:37 PM

Whoa....they don't come back positive just because they are vaccinated. They can come back positive if they were vaccianted past 6 months. The school used to vaccinate up to 7 months. In the past they had vaccinated as long as they were under a year but they ended up with some false positives and that is not fun to go through (quarateen, retesting, etc). Our calves vaccinated between four and six months are always negative on test.

I'm sure Ohio is Bang's free and we don't have any trouble testing, but we are a dairy herd and have been on continuos annual test for decades for both Bangs and TB (Johne's for 11 years or so now).

Some states require a Bang's vaccination for bringing stock into their state legally. It definitely is better safe than sorry, though if they aren't likely to leave your farm it is completely up to you.

We haven't missed a vaccination in the past three years (only the bulls we kept for breeding). Some of our older cows missed their vaccination window and they have been fine.

needstoknowmore · #5 02/27/07, 05:06 PM

I had asked the vet and told I had up until a year old, before I had to pay more for the adult vac. But they didn't recomend an age. I was talking to some people at work about it (sale barn) and they said if they didn't have them they would have to be sold for slaughter only. But I don't intend to sell them. In this state all heifer calves have to have the shot unless they are sold to a feed lot (at least through the sale barn).
I just wish I knew what I was doing!!! I still have so much to learn!

linn · #6 02/28/07, 09:40 AM

If it was me I would go with what your vet says. If you do have to sell her in the future then you won't have to worry about her going to slaughter because she wasn't vaccinated. Ask your vet if there is a test for a cow that tests positive; but has been vaccinated (a false-positive). I think there is; but I am not sure. I would go ahead and get her vaccinated if it is mandatory in your state.

needstoknowmore · #7 02/28/07, 12:41 PM

I just talked to the vets office. The shot isn't mandatory, but if they don't have it can only be sold (at least through the sale barns) for slaughter only. Ellie is only a pet and I don't have any plans on selling her. Not that I think I would have much luck finding her another home. So I have decided that she won't get the shot. I will get it for Lizzy, but I have a little more time. I didn't ask about a test if they test positive, but I did write it down on my list of things for the next visit. Hum, but I might rethink my decision. We have no plans on moving for atleast 15 years, but one never knows. If I couldn't take her to another state with me......

needstoknowmore · #8 02/28/07, 01:05 PM

I made the appointment. I am going to have him out instead of trying to get them there. It is next Thurs. Just before Ellie turns a year old. I will feel better with them getting it. Just because one never knows what life is going to throw at you!!!! I will ask about the false possitives then. And this way Ellie can have a check up. And I am hoping for good news!!!!