FROM: MICK DOAK
RE: GOAT NEWS
DATE: 25TH APRIL 2002
VACCINATION PROGRAM
If your Goats have not been vaccinated before they will need two doses before you may consider them protected against the particular disease you are trying to control. Vaccination does not give one hundred percent protection as you may get a Goat which for some reason can still have a problem but thankfully this is only an odd occurrence.
The first dose is now usually only 1 ml, which must be given to the animal in a part of the body, which will not blemish the carcass in any way. If you read the instructions on the packet the manufacturers will make suggestions on the best site and the correct amount for their particular product. The first dose is a sensitizing or primary dose and must be followed up four to six weeks latter with another dose, which will then give you a rapid increase in the amount of protection the animal will have. Once you have started the Goats on a program with the initial two doses they will have protection for aprox six months. For some reason it seems that Goats need a booster every six months were as sheep get away with only one booster per year.
The aim of a good vaccination program is to maintain an effective level of immunity in animals for all the time they are at risk from the disease they are being vaccinated against. With Pulpy Kidney and Tetanus that seems to be all the time. Once you have started a program you need to continue as planned or your levels of protection will drop dramatically and you may have to start the program from scratch once again.
Immunity can be passed on from mother to offspring in the first milk or colostrum which is rich in all the antitoxins which the mother has either picked up naturally from the property or had given to her through her vaccination program.
It is usual to revaccinate Does four to six weeks before kidding to stimulate a high level of antibody in the colostrum. The maternal or passive immunity in the kids declines from aprox eight days after being born and disappears by three months of age. Kids can receive their first dose of vaccine when they are six weeks of age. A second dose four to six weeks after will give them enough protection until their first booster six months latter, although you may vaccinate them at the same time as all other animals which will help from a management point of view.
An ideal vaccine for WA conditions is one for the control of Pulpy Kidney, Tetanus and Cheesy Gland. The other problems here in WA of Cobalt and Selenium deficiencies can also be easily controlled cheaply by vaccinating as recommended by the manufacturer.
REMINDER: Allandale Goat field day Saturday 27th April starting at 9.30am.
For further details contact Mick Doak Mb 0428439978 or Ah Ph/Fax 08 93093225
or Email: doakmick@bigpond.com.au