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Dr William Morland
Dr. William Morland graduated from Kansas State University in 1970 with a doctorate in veterinary medicine. He and his wife, Dr. Laura Morland, founded the hospital in 1974. Dr. Morland is a large-animal practitioner. He also owns the Flying M Ranch. He enjoys working with his own cattle and back grounding calves. His pets other than his cattle include two Cairn terrier named Bandit and Dandy.
Veterinary
2011-06-01 12:22:00
Vaccinations for calves
Answer: Newborn calves as they ingest colostrum, gain temporary immunity from diseases. This “first milk” contains maternal antibodies which only last for a few weeks and then the calves must build their own immunities. Vaccinating calves at the proper time can help protect them until weaning age. Usually, you can get a good response to vaccinations by about 3 months old but it depends greatly on how much protection the calf received at birth. The quality and quantity of the colostrum will protect 70 to 80 percent of the calves. When developing calf vaccination programs, it is important to know what disease problems are going on in the herd. There are many different vaccines both for viruses and bacteria, and your local veterinarian will be the best source for which ones to use. Vaccination at some point during the first three months of life can be extremely beneficial and can reduce stress at weaning. The calves are already accustomed to going through the facilities and you will get a better response to weaning-time vaccine which will act as a booster. It is beneficial to vaccinate the calves while they are still on the cow. They are not as stressed and will build better immunity. If you don’t do early vaccinations, it is recommended to vaccinate two to four weeks prior to weaning. Then the calves will get boosters at the day of weaning. Don’t forget to ask your veterinarian about the timing of other procedures such as castration, implanting and protection against external and internal parasites.
 
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