U.K. scientists develop safer foot-and-mouth vaccine

Reuters / British scientists have developed a new vaccine against foot-and-mouth disease that is safer and easier to manufacture, an advance they believe should greatly increase production capacity and reduce costs. The technology behind the livestock product might also be applied to make improved human vaccines to protect against similar viruses, including polio. The new

Common errors in handling vaccines

In order to achieve the maximum benefit out of vaccines or antibiotics this fall they must be handled properly right up to the time they are administered. You as producers pay good money for these products and the pharmaceutical companies want to ensure you get the maximum benefit. Vaccine failures are not desirable in anyone’s



Tetanus — a nasty disease, but easy to prevent

In our practice, the incidence of tetanus has definitely been increasing in the last several years. This article will review some of the pertinent signs of tetanus and look at the prevention of this deadly disease. Tetanus is caused by the bacterium Clostridium Tetani, which is in the same family of organisms that causes blackleg.

Why Vaccine Administration May Fail

DVM Vaccines cost money and take effort to administer. We must maximize the immune response to get maximum protection of our livestock ensuring protection from disease. This is good from both a biosecurity standpoint as well as an economic one. Clinical disease such as scours, pneumonia outbreaks or abortions all affect our bottom line. This


Hog Producer Hailed For Philanthropy

The Loewen Foundation and the Steinbach Community Foundation have named Ste. Anne-area hog farmer Marg Rempel as their Philanthropist of the Year. According to a newsletter from the Manitoba Pork Council, the award includes a $2,000 donation to an organization of the recipient’s choice, which Rempel has directed to the Bethesda Foundation, supporting Steinbach’s Bethesda

Swine Workers Encouraged To Get H1N1 Flu Shot

“Vaccination of swine workers may reduce the likelihood that H1N1 flu will be introduced into barns.” – DR. WAYNE LEES The Manitoba government is telling people who work directly with pigs to get the H1N1 flu shot. In a recent letter to the Manitoba Pork Council, the province recommended the move, not just to guard

Proper Vaccination Technique Reduces Reactions

roy lewis dvm As many of the pharmaceutical reps will tell us, at least we know the vaccine is working. With more and more vaccines now given subcutaneously and especially with vaccines using oil-based adjuvant, reactions are not uncommon. The adjuvants are designed to protect the vaccine and give a much higher immune response but


Hard Times Have U. S. Hog Producers Seeking Help

“The big driver of losses for this business is the run-up in costs of production.” – STEVE MEYER U. S. hog producers, who have been losing money since late 2007, have asked the U. S. Agriculture Department for $250 million in assistance, of which $150 million would buy pork for federal food programs. Producers also

Updated H1N1 Influenza Advice Sent To Manitoba Schools

School principals and superintendents across the province have received updated H1N1 influenza information about infection prevention, vaccination and absenteeism, along with public health advice for ill children or staff, Health Minister Theresa Oswald and Education, Citizenship and Youth Minister Peter Bjornson announced Aug. 17. “Manitoba’s health-care experts know that parents, students and teachers have questions