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Clinical particulars
Target Species
Cattle and sheep.
Indications for use
For the active immunisation of sheep and cattle against disease associated with infections caused by Clostridium perfringens type A, C. perfringens type B, C. perfringens type C, C. perfringens type D, Clostridium chauvoei, Clostridium novyi type B, Clostridium septicum, Clostridium sordellii and Clostridium haemolyticum and against tetanus caused by Clostridium tetani.
For the passive immunisation of lambs and calves against infections caused by the above mentioned clostridial species (except C. haemolyticum in sheep).
Onset of immunity:
Sheep and Cattle: Two weeks after the basic vaccination course (as demonstrated by serology only).
Duration of active immunity:
As demonstrated by serology only:
Sheep: 12 months against C. perfringens type A, B, C and D, C. novyi type B, C. sordellii, C. tetani
< 6 months against C. septicum, C. haemolyticum, C. chauvoei
Cattle: 12 months against C. tetani and C. perfringens type D
< 12 months against C. perfringens type A, B and C
< 6 months against C. novyi type B, C. septicum, C. sordellii, C. haemolyticum, C. chauvoei
An anamnestic humoral immune response (immunological memory) to all components was demonstrated 12 months following the basic course of vaccination.
Duration of passive immunity:
As demonstrated by serology only:
Lambs: At least 2 weeks for C. septicum and C. chauvoei
At least 8 weeks for C. perfringens type B and C. perfringens type C
At least 12 weeks for C. perfringens type A, C. perfringens type D, C. novyi type B, C. tetani and C. sordellii
No passive immunity was observed for C. haemolyticum.
Calves: At least 2 weeks for C. sordellii and C. haemolyticum
At least 8 weeks for C. septicum and C. chauvoei
At least 12 weeks for C. perfringens type A, C. perfringens type B, C. perfringens type C, C. perfringens type D, C. novyi type B, and C. tetani
Contraindications
Do not use in sick or immunodeficient animals.
Special warnings for each target species
Vaccinate healthy animals only
The effectiveness of the vaccine in providing passive immunity to young lambs and calves depends on these animals ingesting adequate amounts of colostrum on the first day of life.
Clinical trials have demonstrated that the presence of maternal derived antibodies (MDA), particularly against C. tetani, C. novyi type B, C. perfringens type A (calves only), C. chauvoei (lambs only) and C. perfringens type D may reduce the antibody response to vaccination in young lambs and calves. Therefore, to ensure an optimal response in young animals with high levels of MDA, the basic vaccination should be delayed until the levels wane (which is after about 8-12 weeks of age, see section ‘Indications for use’).
Special precautions for use
It is good practice to observe animals regularly for adverse reactions at the injection site following vaccination. It is recommended to seek medical advice from a veterinarian in case of a severe injection site reaction.
Operator warnings
In case of accidental self-injection, seek medical advice immediately and show the package leaflet or the label to the physician.
Adverse Reactions
Swelling at the injection site was observed very commonly in clinical studies. This may reach up to a mean value of 6 cm in sheep and 15 cm diameter in cattle; sometimes reactions of up to 25 cm diameter may be seen in cattle.
Most local reactions resolve within 3-6 weeks in sheep and in less than 10 weeks in cattle. In a minority of animals they may persist longer.
An abscess may develop commonly.
Skin discolouration at the injection site (which returns to normal as the local reaction resolves) may occur commonly.
Mild hyperthermia may occur commonly.
Localised pain at the injection site for 1-2 days post first vaccination may occur uncommonly.
Anaphylactic reactions were observed in very rare cases in spontaneous pharmacovigilance reports. In such cases appropriate treatment such as adrenaline should be administered without delay.
The frequency of adverse reactions is defined using the following convention:
- very common (more than 1 in 10 animals treated displaying adverse reaction(s))
- common (more than 1 but less than 10 animals in 100 animals treated)
- uncommon (more than 1 but less than 10 animals in 1,000 animals treated)
- rare (more than 1 but less than 10 animals in 10,000 animals treated)
- very rare (less than 1 animal in 10,000 animals treated, including isolated reports).
Use during pregnancy or lactation
Pregnancy:
No side effects other than those described under section ‘Adverse reactions’ were seen when the vaccine was used in sheep and cattle between 8 and 2 weeks prior to parturition. In the absence of specific data, the use of the vaccine is not recommended during the first or second third of pregnancy.
Avoid stress in pregnant ewes and cows.
Interactions
No information is available on the safety and efficacy of this vaccine when used with any other veterinary medicinal product. A decision to use this vaccine before or after any other veterinary medicinal product therefore needs to be made on a case by case basis.
Amounts to be administered and administration route
Subcutaneous use.
Dose
- Sheep: 1 ml – from 2 weeks of age
- Cattle: 2 ml – from 2 weeks of age
Administration
By subcutaneous injection preferably in the loose skin on the side of the neck, observing aseptic precautions.
Shake the bottle thoroughly before use.
Syringes and needles should be sterile before use and the injection should be made through an area of clean, dry skin taking precautions against contamination.
Basic vaccination: Two doses should be administered, 4-6 weeks apart (see section ‘Indications for use’ and ‘Special warnings for each target species’).
Re-vaccination: A single dose should be administered at 6 to 12 month intervals after the basic vaccination (see section ‘Indications for use’.)
Use in pregnancy:
To provide passive protection of the offspring, via the colostrum, a single re-vaccination should be administered between 8 and 2 weeks before parturition, provided that animals have received a full basic vaccination course before pregnancy.
Overdose
In calves and lambs, local reactions may increase slightly if twice the recommended dose is administered (see section ‘Adverse reactions’).
Withdrawal periods
Zero days.