Effective water vaccination: the importance of water quality

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Good vaccination schemes are an important part of good farm management. Vaccination prevents diseases (and secondary bacterial infections) and thus antibiotic use. Many live vaccines can be administered via the drinking water, whereas some need to be injected. Drinking water vaccination is very practical, but the efficacy is highly influenced by the water quality/composition. These important points concerning the drinking water should be kept in mind at all times:

Use water of high quality! Unwanted components can interfere with the vaccine. Unpalatable water can be detrimental because of lower water uptake. Check the DISARM Best Practice Guide for water quality for more information on how to evaluate and remediate water quality.

At least 48h before vaccination: cease all water treatments. In case of live bacterial vaccines (e.g., Salmonella, Mycoplasma): stop antibiotic treatments at least 7 days before AND after vaccination.

Flush the pipes thoroughly to remove all residues of cleaning and disinfection products. This is essential to avoid inactivation of the vaccine.

Add a water stabilizer that binds substances such as chlorine in tap water to avoid vaccine inactivation.

Check the DISARM best practice guide for vaccination protocols for more information on effective vaccination practices.

Source: N. Sleeckx, Drinkwatermedicatie, Proefbedrijf pluimveehouderij vzw, 2014.

501 No zinc and no antibiotics in pig management (Industry Innovation)

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Industry Innovation

No zinc and no antibiotics in pig management by Peter McKenzie

In Significant Impact Group(s): Feed / gut health; Feed additives and supplements

Species targeted: Pigs;
Age: Young;
Outcome Parameter(s): more good live pigs; more heavier pigs 4 weeks post weaning

Summary: In this paper McKenzie shares his journey with the impact of E.coli on pig management – eventually without antibiotic and zinc oxide use.

After years of veterinary practice, he came to the following regime that results in more good live pigs and heavier pigs at 4 weeks post weaning with minimal or zero injectable antibiotic and no need for zinc oxide:

  • Attention to detail
  • All-in-all-out and hygiene
  • Quality weaner diet consisting of
    o Less than 18.5% protein;
    o European programme of coated butyric, formic and citric acid and Baccilus PB6
    o Korean programme of Algal immune stimulant.

The programme is usually cheaper than Zinc plus some antibiotics. Some farmers have been on the programme for over a year with success. Remove ZnO gently – if management is not as good as expected, and you have a very pathogenic E. coli, then E.coli may triumph over lack of ZnO.

Country: AU (Australia)

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Antibiotics alternatives: Plant extracts, spices and essential oils

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The use of extracts of plants, phytobiotics and essential oils is mainly due to their effect on the intestinal function since among the therapeutic properties that they can have, the following stand out: antiseptic, bactericidal, expectorant, anti-inflammatory, carminative, euphotic.

One of the most interesting functions is the bactericide. Although in practice satisfactory results are obtained, its mechanism of action is still not completely known, although it could be due to the pressure, they exert on the cell membrane of the bacteria, giving rise to imbalances that compromise the osmotic balance and can eventually destroy the bacteria.

One of the characteristics of plant oils and extracts is the synergy with other organic products commonly used in animal feed. On the other hand, research is being carried out on their positive effect on improving digestive secretions and enzyme functioning at the intestinal level and hepatic.

Most of these combinations of phytobiotics and essential oils are marketed for their organoleptic properties in the functional group of ‘flavourings’ defined by Regulation (EC) No 831/2003 for use in animal nutrition as ‘substances whose addition to feed increases flavour or palatability’.

These products are not yet authorised for health or zootechnical purposes as further research is needed into their mechanism of action, optimal use rate, efficacy, repeatability of results and safety. In the case of use at inadequate doses they can present toxicity, although the toxicity is lower than natural extracts and essential oils if they are not purified.

Preventing and treating diarrhoea (caused by rotavirus/coronavirus/cryptosporidium) in pre-weaned calves

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‘Prevention is better than cure’ for diarrhoea. This involves ensuring optimal hygiene at calving and in calf accommodation, regularly removing soiled bedding and steam cleaning, disinfecting and leaving calf pens empty, dry and in sunlight to rest between individuals/batches of calves. It is also important to clean feeding equipment with hot water and detergent between each feed. Depending on the bugs present on a farm, it is worth considering vaccination in adult cows to prevent the transmission of diseases like rotavirus to calves. 

When calves have diarrhoea, it is crucial to keep them hydrated and fed, as demonstrated in this video Optimising calf health – Managing Cryptosporidosis  

 

This farmer continues to feed milk as this provides the calf with energy, which supports their immune system in fighting disease. They also emphasize the importance of providing oral rehydration solutions to prevent dehydration, which can be purchased or a homemade solution can be used. This farmer combines glucose, salt, bicarbonate of soda, and a small amount of potassium chloride in a solution to provide calves with the necessary electrolytes when dehydrated. The imbalance in electrolytes caused by fluid loss from diarrhoea also causes acidosis, so the farmer provides a couple of tablespoons of bicarbonate of soda in the milk feeds to help combat this. 

Use of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAID) helps to reduce fever and symptoms caused by inflammation so that calves feel better and continue to drink. Taking faecal samples to test for what is causing the diarrhoea so that the most effective treatment can be selected is key. These principles have led to this farmer reducing their calf mortality from 8% to zero and only using antimicrobials occasionally. 

Guidelines for antimicrobial resistance from the dairy sector

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Dairy farmers can set up biosecurity measures to prevent introduction of diseases and bacteria onto the farm; implement an effective herd health management programme, as well as for chronically infected cows; set up cleaning and disinfection strategies to prevent spread of diseases. Farmers need to ensure that the use of antimicrobials is based on adequate diagnostic and only used as directed, as well as avoid their preventive use. Withdrawal times must be respected and supported with a strategic residue testing of milk. Milking routines should not injure the animals or introduce contaminants into milk. Farmers should avoid feeding milk-containing residues to calves or other animals on the farm. Animal feed and water must be of suitable quantity and quality.  

Veterinary professionals ensure reliable diagnosis, prevention of diseases and consider alternatives to antimicrobial treatment. They should avoid treatment of incurable animals as well as self-curing diseases with antimicrobials, give clear advice on the appropriate use of an antimicrobial product, including the dose, rates and length of treatment, withholding periods, and recording. Veterinarians should declare and register to your national authorities all drugs prescribed on farm.  

The use of antimicrobials is only part of an animal health management programme that aims to limit disease in animals and improve animal welfare. Early detection of disease allows early intervention, and this minimises the need to use antimicrobials. Improved infection prevention and control measures limit disease spread and progressively reduce the usage of antimicrobial agents.