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Insure your reproductive investment with vaccination
Help protect your herd’s future with a comprehensive reproductive vaccination program
Dairy producers focused on improving their reproductive performance shouldn’t overlook their vaccination
programs. A comprehensive herd vaccination protocol can help protect against reproductive diseases that
decrease fertility and increase risk of abortions.
“Often, dairy producers do not connect reproductive issues with infectious diseases,” says Victor Cortese,
DVM, PhD, Dipl. ABVP, Director, Veterinary Specialties Group, Pfizer Animal Health. “A great deal of time,
energy and money is invested to ensure reproductive success. A key cog in that process is establishing a
complete vaccination protocol to limit reproductive issues caused by bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV),
infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) virus and Lepto hardjo-bovis.”
Dr. Cortese provides details on three infectious diseases that can limit reproductive success:

BVD: BVD Types 1 and 2 often can go undetected in a dairy herd and cause reproductive failure
and immune suppression in adult animals. Clinical reproductive issues associated with BVD
include abortion or return to estrus; development of persistently infected calves; and fetal
anomalies or weak calves. Persistent infection (PI) is a result of in utero exposure to BVD. PI
occurs when the virus crosses the placenta before the immune system is developed, and the calf
recognizes the strain of BVD virus as part of itself. Calves may be weak and/or immunologically
frail, and spread BVD infections throughout the herd.

IBR: IBR not only can cause severe respiratory infections, but also reproductive losses, including
mid- to late-term abortions, conception failure, vulvar and vaginal lesions, and early embryonic
death loss. In fact, approximately 20 percent of diagnosed cattle abortions in the United States are
associated with IBR.1

Leptospirosis: Leptospirosis is a significant bacterial disease that can cause abortions, embryonic
death, stillbirths and infertility, as well as loss in milk production. Dr. Cortese advises dairy
producers to protect against the appropriate leptospira species and serovars, including the primary
cause of bovine leptospirosis, Lepto hardjo-bovis, in order to help provide protection against
reproductive complications caused by leptospirosis.
“Dairy producers should work with their veterinarians to implement a vaccination program to appropriately
address diseases that can cause reproductive complications and failure,” Dr. Cortese says. “A vaccine like
Bovi-Shield GOLD FP® 5 L5 HB helps provide comprehensive coverage against five viral pathogens that
can cause both respiratory and reproductive issues — BVD Types 1 and 2 viruses, IBR virus, bovine
respiratory syncytial virus, parainfluenza 3 virus, and 5-way leptospira protection, including Lepto hardjobovis.”
Pfizer Animal Health guarantees that 100 percent of calves born will be BVD PI-free provided that all cows
and heifers have been vaccinated according to label directions at least 30 days prebreeding with the BoviShield GOLD® family of FP vaccines. In addition, Pfizer Animal Health guarantees herds will be free of IBR
abortions if cows and heifers are vaccinated according to label directions at least 30 days prebreeding with
the Pfizer Animal Health family of FP vaccines.*
Pfizer Animal Health, a business of Pfizer Inc., is a world leader in discovering and developing innovative
animal vaccines and prescription medicines, investing an estimated $300 million annually in animal health
product research and development. For more information about how Pfizer Animal Health works to ensure
a safe, sustainable global food supply from healthy livestock, fish and poultry; or helps companion animals
and horses to live longer, healthier lives, visit www.PfizerAH.com.
LABEL INDICATIONS: The Bovi-Shield GOLD line and PregGuard GOLD FP 10 are recommended for
vaccination of healthy cows and heifers approximately one month prior to breeding. These products also
can be administered to pregnant cattle provided they were vaccinated, according to label directions, with
any Bovi-Shield GOLD FP or PregGuard GOLD FP vaccine prior to breeding initially and within 12 months
thereafter. Failure to follow label directions may result in abortions. The Bovi-Shield GOLD line may be
administered to calves nursing pregnant cows, provided their dams were vaccinated within the last 12
months as described above. Consistent with good vaccination practices, heifers should receive at
least two vaccine doses, with the second dose administered approximately 30 days prebreeding.
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For more information, contact:
Laura Pires
Pfizer Animal Health
973-660-5624
[email protected]
Laurie Underwood
Bader Rutter & Associates
262-938-5419
[email protected]
*The Pfizer Animal Health 100% BVD PI-Free Guarantee and the IBR Abortion Guarantee will be
administered through Pfizer Animal Health – VMIPS (Veterinary Medical Information and Product Support)
at 800-366-5288. Proof of purchase is required. Calves born to BVD PI-positive cows or heifers do not
qualify for the guarantee. This guarantee does not apply to, and Pfizer Animal Health shall not be liable for,
any (x) damages caused as a result of the improper handling, misuse or abuse of the vaccines that are the
subject of this guarantee, or the willful misconduct or negligence of any third party, or (y) any indirect,
punitive, special, incidental or consequential damages. Pfizer reserves the right to modify or cancel the
terms and conditions of this guarantee.
1Kahrs
RF. Viral diseases of cattle. Iowa State University Press 1981:91-94.
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