Colorado Serum

Clostridium tetani-perfringens Type D-Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis Bacterin-Toxoid

U.S. Vet. Lic. No.: 188

Active Ingredient(s): The product is a combination of three antigenic substances, namely, Clostridium perfringens type D, Cl. tetani and Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis. Contains thimerosal as a preservative.

Indications: The product is a combination of three antigenic substances adequate, when administered to healthy sheep according to label directions, to protect against (1) enterotoxemia caused by Cl. perfringens, type D, (2) toxemia caused by Cl. tetani, and (3) to aid in the prevention and control of caseous lymphadenitis, a disease characterized by localized collections of pus in the tissues of the body caused by C. pseudotuberculosis.

Dosage and Administration: Shake before using so that the adjuvant, which may precipitate to some extent while the product is held in inventory, is well distributed at the time of use. Thereafter inject 2 mL subcutaneously (axillary space). Repeat the full 2 mL dose four (4) weeks later (axillary space opposite to the first dose). A booster dose of 2 mL should be administered annually.

I spoke with Colorado Serum and this is what they told me on vaccination scheduling:

Adults: 4-6 wks before kidding, Booster 30 days later, the following year oin the annual booster 30-35 days prior to kidding.

Kids: 30 days before weaning and again 30 days after weaning- annual booster.

Slight lameness (soreness) in lambs and lethargy in mature sheep may be observed in a percentage of the animals following vaccination. Sheep are inclined to become depressed or will limp when foreign substances are administered or because of the increased exertion and stimulation of vaccination. While noticeable, these symptoms usually disappear within 24-48 hours and can be considered as minor vaccination reactions. If suggested care is taken in preparing the vaccination equipment and in administering the product there should not be abscessation at the site of injection.

Precaution(s): Store in the dark at 2° to 7°C.

Caution(s): Handling of the product, filling of syringes, etc., should be done as aseptically as possible. Care has been taken to ensure the purity of the preparation at the time of release for marketing. Reasonable precautions should be taken in the field to maintain this condition.

Anaphylactic reactions sometime follow the use of products of this nature. Adrenalin, or an equivalent drug, should be immediately available for use in these instances. Delayed treatment could result in an irreversible reaction.

Sterilize needles and syringes by boiling in clean water.

Use the entire contents when the bottle is first opened. For veterinary use only.

Warning(s): Do not vaccinate within 21 days before slaughter.

Discussion: Caseous lymphadenitis is a chronic disease of sheep, goats, and other small ruminants in which clinical signs and lesions may not be observed for several months after the animals become infected. Causative bacteria are likely to be present on the skin of susceptible animals and exposure may occur through wounds resulting from shearing, scratches, splinters or thorns. Abrasions provide access to the organism which thereafter migrates to the lymph nodes of the body. Exposure may also occur by pulmonary transfer so over-crowding of animals should also be avoided. The disease is not usually fatal but condemnations may run as high as 20% when carcasses are inspected following slaughter. Weakness and emaciation may develop in animals that are not held for slaughter, followed by eventual death.

The disease is manifested in two forms: (1) external abscesses in the superficial (mandibular, prescapular, and prefemoral) lymph nodes and (2) internal abscesses in the visceral organs especially in the lung, liver, and kidney and in the mediastinal, bronchial, and lumbar lymph nodes. Both forms may occur simultaneously. The visceral form of the disease is implicated in the thin ewe syndrome and can cause loss of fertility.

Abscesses and lesions formed in caseous lymphadenitis have a cheesy greenish-yellow to off-white odorless pus surrounded by a capsule. These lesions progressively enlarge. In older abscesses the pus becomes somewhat dry and firm and will form concentric layers within the fibrous capsule. C. pseudotuberculosis is easily isolated from such abscesses and is usually the only organism present.

Once the disease has been introduced into a flock of sheep a relatively large percentage of susceptible animals will be affected. The organism is likely to spread by contamination from ruptured or lanced abscesses or at shearing time. Any infected animals should be shorn last and the shearing equipment thereafter sterilized. It is essential, in the control of caseous lymphadenitis, to exercise strict herd management with careful attention to examination, treatment, separation, and culling of the infected animals.

It has been shown that the product will control caseous lymphadenitis when sheep are vaccinated prior to exposure to the disease. It has also been shown that little or no benefit can be expected when animals with visible signs of the disease are vaccinated. Those showing infection should be immediately culled from the flock and disposed of or held away from those animals that appear to be in good health.

Enterotoxemia is most common in younger sheep and goats being fed a high carbohydrate diet which is a general practice in most feedlots. Animals on grass may also become infected but less frequently. Cl. tetani is found in the intestinal tracts of most animals. It is introduced into tissues in much the same manner as the micro-organism that causes caseous lymphadenitis.

Presentation: Packaged in 10 dose (20 mL) and 50 dose (100 mL) bottles.

NAC No.: 11010102