Vets back use of Mycoplasma Bovisa vaccine

Vets back use of Mycoplasma Bovisa vaccine

A new vaccine against Mycoplasma Bovisa – a bacterial disease found in dairy and beef cattle – has been backed by vets following a successful two-year study in Scotland.

The vaccine, which has been used in the US for several years, has now undergone a four-farm case study in Scotland by Graeme Fowlie at Meadows Vets, with the help of Dutch pharmaceutical firm Kernfarm.

More than 56 veterinary firms across the UK used the vaccine under the VMD’s Special Import Scheme, with 95% recommending using it where the disease is present.

Alan Wilson at North Vets, Orkney, said: “Mycoplasma Bovis is a very difficult infection to treat once it is established, The vaccine reduced infection rates and the need for antibiotics.”

‘Far better efficacy’

Ruth Fraser at Strathspey Vets, Grantown-on-Spey, Highlands, added: “Compared to autogenous vaccines available in the UK I perceive the efficacy to be far better with fewer side effects.

“However, it should not be considered a magic bullet; if other respiratory pathogens are implicated these also need to be dealt with in addition to environmental factors.”