When pneumonia strikes, it can take a heavy toll on your bottom line. Pneumonia is one of the most common and costly health issues in both beef and dairy operations. In fact, it’s the second-leading cause of death in calves. Beyond losses from mortality, pneumonia leads to higher treatment costs, reduced weight gain and long-term performance setbacks. 

So, what can you do when traditional management and vaccination programs aren’t enough? Armor Animal Health’s answer: consider an autogenous (custom) vaccine. 

Why Calves Are So Vulnerable 

Calves are born with small lungs relative to their body size, meaning they have less capacity to handle inflammation or infection. Once the lungs are damaged, the effects are often permanent which reduces future growth, feed efficiency and milk production potential. 

Pneumonia most often hits calves after a stressful event such as weaning, dehorning, castration or transport. These stressors suppress the immune system, allowing viruses and bacteria to invade the lungs. Environmental factors like poor ventilation or extreme temperature fluctuations can also make matters worse. 

Management, environment and immunity should all be addressed in order to have a successful prevention plan. 

The Role of Vaccination in Prevention 

Vaccination remains a cornerstone of respiratory disease prevention. There are many commercial vaccines available, including modified-live, killed and intranasal products that protect against major pathogens such as Mannheimia haemolytica, Pasteurella multocida and Histophilus somni. 

However, every herd is unique. Over time, the specific strains of bacteria or viruses on your farm may differ from those covered by standard commercial vaccines. When you’re facing repeat pneumonia outbreaks, even after vaccinating, it may be a sign that the pathogens on your operation are different. 

That’s where custom, or autogenous, vaccines come in. 

What Is an Autogenous Vaccine? 

An autogenous (custom) vaccine is created using the specific bacteria or viruses isolated from your herd or a local herd group. These are the actual organisms causing pneumonia on farms meaning the vaccine is built to target the exact problem you’re facing. 

Here’s how the process works: 

From sample submission to vaccine delivery typically takes 10 to 12 weeks and the finished product generally has a shelf life of about 18 months. 

Armor Animal Health’s autogenous vaccine program can target key bacterial strains associated with pneumonia, including Mycoplasma bovis, Histophilus somni and Bibersteinia trehalose. There are no commercially available vaccines against Bibersteinia trehalose. 

The Advantages of Going Custom 

1. Targeted Protection 
Custom vaccines are designed for your specific herd, so they target the exact strain(s) of pathogens circulating on your farm. This precision can make all the difference when commercial options fall short. 

2. Reduced Disease Pressure 
Operations using autogenous vaccines often report fewer pneumonia cases and improved lung health. In turn, that can lead to fewer treatments, better growth rates and higher overall profitability. 

3. Integrated Herd Health Approach 
Custom vaccines work best as part of a comprehensive herd health program. They don’t replace good management, they enhance it. When combined with stress reduction, proper ventilation and good nutrition, the results can be significant. 

Important Considerations 

Autogenous vaccines aren’t an instant fix. Because they are herd-specific biologics, they must be prescribed and used under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian within a valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR). 

They also take time to develop, so it’s best to start the process before the next outbreak. Work with your veterinarian to identify patterns of respiratory disease, collect samples and determine if a custom vaccine fits into your prevention strategy. 

Remember, a custom vaccine is one tool among many. Good management practices such as minimizing stress, ensuring adequate colostrum intake, maintaining clean, well-ventilated housing and following proper vaccination protocols are all essential components of pneumonia prevention. 

Putting It All Together 

At Armor Animal Health, our veterinarians are ready to help you: 

Ready to Protect Your Herd? 

Don’t wait for pneumonia to strike again. Contact your Armor Animal Health Veterinarian or call your Armor representative today to discuss whether a custom autogenous vaccine is right for your herd. 

Together, we can build a stronger, healthier and more resilient operation. One that breathes easier all year long.