pre-Calving Vaccinations
For Heifers

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6 - 8 Weeks Prior to Calving:

  • E. coli vaccine for toxic mastitis (J5, J-Vac, Endovac-bovi, Mastiguard).
  • Scour vaccine (Scourguard 4K/C, Guardian, Scourbos).

3 weeks Prior to Calving:

  • Booster E. coli vaccine against toxic mastitis.
  • Booster Scour vaccine.

At Calving:

  • Remove calf from cow ASAP.
  • Dip naval with a strong iodine (Tri-iodine).
  • Give 3-4 quarts of colostrums within the first 2 hours of life (Jersey/Jersey crosses should be given at least 3 quarts and Holsteins 4 quarts).  The calf may or may not want more colostrum in 12 hours.  If they do not drink that is okay, they will at the next feeding.  The most important meal of their life is the first colostrum consumption within the first 2 hours of life.
  • Have adequate pen space for calves to be kept (i.e. once a group is put together no new calves should enter the group!).

3 Weeks Post Fresh (Prior to Breeding):

  • Modified live virus vaccine containing IBR, BVD, PI-3, BRSV (Bovishield Gold FP L5, Pyramid 10, Preguard 10) and lepto.
  • If you use the J5 or Mastiguard vaccines, they will need to be boostered at this time as well.




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MU Extension - CA Program
For comments or questions concerning these pages, please contact:
Scott Poock  Dairy Veterinarian