Wart Vaccine

[dexterlady]

Has anyone ever used the wart vaccine? Does it work? I have a young bull that is just now breaking out with warts and he is only six months old. I also have a young heifer( she is going to Alabama next month) and I don't want her to break out with warts while being under the stress of moving. Would anyone advise me giving her the shot now to prevent her from getting the warts virus? Thank you in advance for your help. Donna

[kansasdexters]

We routinely use Colorado Serum Wart Vaccine on all our registered breeding stock calves. To be effective at preventing warts, this vaccine is given at 4 months of age and then a booster vaccination is given 4 weeks later, at 5 months of age. Another booster vaccination is given at 12 months of age. So each animal receives 3 vaccinations to be fully protected. Each vaccination is 10 mL of wart vaccine and it's given as two 5 mL injections (one on each side of the neck, subcutaneously). If you vaccinate cattle that are older than 12 months, use 15 mL of wart vaccine and give it as two 7.5 mL injections (one on each side of the neck).

This is a relatively expensive vaccination. Each vial contains only 50 mL and it costs around $20. It works most of the time, and if a calf or yearling does get a wart or two, they usually heal very quickly and don't get very big on a properly vaccinated animal.

Patti

[cjsfarm]

We bought the serum a couple of years ago to treat our calves, after buying we consulted our vet about using it. His suggestion was to throw it out! He claimed there was no guarantee that the warts on our herd would be of the same variety as the serum. He also stated that the colorado serum has introduced other problems into cattle herds. I don't know how it works because we threw it out. A several hundred dollar loss, but I trust my vet.

[kansasdexters]

It's a shame that you threw it away. It does work and it works quite well, when used as a prophylactic treatment (before any warts appear). Here is the tech data on it, note that it is a "killed virus" vaccine, so the only problem that may be associated with it might be the anaphylactic shock reaction (rare) that may occur with almost any vaccination procedure:

WART VACCINE

Colorado Serum

Wart Vaccine, Killed Virus

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

Active Ingredient(s): Wart vaccine, killed virus.

Indications: For use as an aid in the prophylactic treatment of viral warts (papillomas) in cattle only.

Dosage and Administration: The dose for calves is 10 mL injected subcutaneously preferably at two (2) sites along the side of the neck. For older cattle, the dose should be increased to 15 mL. In each instance a repeat dose should be administered in three (3) to five (5) weeks.

Precaution(s): Shake well before using. Store in the dark at 2-7°C.

Caution(s): Anaphylactic reactions sometimes follow administration of products of this nature. If noted, administer adrenaline or an equivalent drug. Use the entire contents when first opened.

For veterinary use only.

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

Presentation: 50 mL vials.

NAC No.: 11010350


Here is a link to the Vet's Corner Article on this product:
www.colorado-serum.com/vets/vol_2/vol2_4.htm

[dexterlady]

Thank you all for your responses. I still don't know if it is too late to vaccinate this heifer before she leaves our ranch. Would it be of any benifit since she is already six months old, almost 7 months and will be leaving the end of next month? I realize they should have three shots, but I won't have time to give them to her. And she won't be going to the vet until next month. So Patty, would you give her a shot now or not? Or is it too late to start thme? Guess I am just not understanding. ( Dense!!LOL) Thanks Donna

[kansasdexters]

Hi Donna,

If she doesn't have warts yet, you still have time to give her the first vaccination and then a booster vaccination in 4 weeks. She may still get a few warts, but it won't be as severe as it would have been without the vaccination. If you only have time to give her one vaccination, then provide the new owner with a vial of the wart vaccine and ask them to give her the booster shot 4 weeks after you give her the initial vaccination. She needs to receive 2 vaccinations, 4 weeks apart, in order for her immune response to develop sufficiently.

We give our yearlings the 2nd booster (their 3rd shot) to help assure a strong immune response to the wart virus when they are most vulnerable to actually having warts (between the age of 12 and 18 months).

Good Luck!

[ctownson]

Based on the discusssion in this thread, we decided to give our younger heifers the wart vaccine this year. So, I have immunized 3 thus far. If you do any shows, the vaccine will be well worth the cost and effort. We had to scratch a couple of our best cows last year for the VA State Fair due to warts. Interestingly, the warts really seem to come on in the time period mentioned - 12 to 18 months of age. It is no problem giving the shots - my biggest gripe is the dose is pretty large and has to be split between two sites on the cow.

[dexterlady]

Thank you all for the valuable information. I will order the wart vaccine tomorrow from Jeffers. I just really hate giving our cows any vaccines but I know they are a neccessary evil. I would worry daily that our cows would come down with some disease if not vaccinated. But I hate all the lumps on their neck. I hate having to give SQ shots for this reason.
Oh one more question . If you give the wart vaccine , will this be a life-long protection or would you have vaccinate yrly? And if they get warts ( if you don't vaccinate) are they immune for life or can they get them again at some point? Thanks again......Donna

[sprucegrovefarm]

This thread already contains excellent information and advice. Here are a couple of good links:

cattletoday.info/warts.htm (very basic but good)

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bovine_papillomavirus (more technical but quite interesting)

John

[gulfcapt]

I got my two dexters yesterday and me and my wife are excited about them... I do have a ? about my cow. She seems to have a cough, and has a white snot that I noticed in her nostrolls or at least I think that is what that is.. They have come from N.C. and are alittle shook up over the ride I think.. shes not hardly eating at all either.. should I call the vet out on Monday? or does anyone have any other remedies for this.. she is 8months old..

[sprucegrovefarm]

Hi gulfcapt,

I sent you a PM, then realized you may not check your messages. I noticed a short while ago that nobody has posted a reply to your message of concern about your heifer, but maybe that's because it is in the Wart Vaccine thread.

There are many breeders with plenty of experience on this board, but I don't know if any are veterinarians. My advice is to call your vet as soon as possible and get his/her advice.

I hope your heifer's problem is a minor stress-related one, not anything arising and going downhill from shipping fever.

John

[midhilldexters]

Gulfcapt,
how is your heifer doing? Better I hope, if not I agreee call the vet asap.

Carol K

[gulfcapt]

Im sorry for posting this on the wart page.. i will look for the other site for colds.. Shes not getting any better and has both nostrolls running with snot (or thats what it looks like) the previous owner who I got up with today said she has had this so called cold for alittle over a month now. I do plan on calling a bovin vet tomarrow.. sorry for posting on this thread

[otf]

gulfcapt, I sent you a private message earlier today...when you log in, look at the top of the page and click on that.

Gale

[gulfcapt]

gale I got your IM and thank you, and genebo and the rest also..Its a learning experience for me and the wife so far.. I spent most of the day looking for a vet since we don't have a bovine vet here in Bay Co. I had to load my girl/hiefer up today and also took a stool sample of my young man/bull and headed north to a vet in chipley.. well she had a high temp, lung worms, worms, and a respirtory infection.... come to find out she nor he never recieved any shots just a worming.. the Vet shot her up with 3 different meds and told me to bring her back on thursday for a follow up shot/shots.. she/vet also said as soon as she gets better we will get both of them up to date with all shots needed