Glanvac 6 B12 Zoetis**

Glanvac 6B12Â

Glanvac 6B12 is a vaccine for sheep and goats, made by Zoetis

It is the same as  Glanvac 6 except for the addition of B12 – please refer to the information for Glanvac 6 (scroll below here), as it is all relevant, plus info on B12 below

The vaccine contains a small amount of B12 which lasts for up to 3 months in a non-deficient sheep.

It is really important to remember that the exact response to any injectable B12 will be varied, and is based on the sheep’s current B12 status.

Their current statis will be influenced by dietary cobalt intake, and stage of production which may or may not have outstripped their own natural production of B12.

Pyramid Hill and surrounding areas are not traditionally known to be deficient in cobalt.

B12 is made naturally by the animal from dietary cobalt which is converted to B12 in the rumen (largest stomach). B12 is then used, stored in the liver, and any excess is excreted via the urine.

If a sheep is sufficient in B12 at the time of injection, the B12 will be excreted.

If they have some B12 stored in their liver then the injection will “top them up”

If they have low levels of B12 stored they will gain a response in growth or production due to sufficient B12 helping with energy production.

Is it worth vaccinating if I am not in a deficient area?

As the area around Pyramid Hill isn’t a considered a cobalt deficient area, there are sometimes questions raised as to whether it is worth using B12 vaccines. Unless you know the plasma concentration of Vitamin B12 in your sheep, it is very difficult to tell if there will be increased growth rates from using B12 – sometimes the benefit can be small enough to pay for itself, however not noticeable enough in every sheep. The increase is often only 50-100g, therefore not shown by normal weighing equipment, therefore hard to actually measure. Comments from producers over time, often talk about “lifting the tail of the mob” as these even small increases in weight combined with an increase in appetite and overall energy, often lead to less of a “tail”.

Eg;

Let’s pretend that three glasses are our sheep, who have varying levels of currently available B12:

 Cup 1 (empty)- will benefit from a vaccination of B12 and you will see increased growth and production rates from this animal.

Cup 2- the vaccine will top this animal up and anything it doesn’t need it will excrete- mid range growth rates.

Cup 3- Only needs a little bit, will probably excrete most of it, we might not see any changes.

Across a farm there will be varying levels of “full or empty cups”. An injection of Vitamin B12 is like giving sheep Berocca- it helps top up their energy during stressful times and when the demand for energy is at its greatest, i.e, Pre-lambing, marking and weaning.

Pulpy Kidney.  Change of feed (high risk), will need to vaccinate if last dose was more than three months ago.  Ideally wait 14 days before introducing new feed.

Glanvac 6Â

Glanvac 6 is a vaccine for sheep and goats, made by Zoetis

Glanvac 6 comes in 100ml, 250ml or 500ml

There is no ESI on vaccine

Refridgerate at 2-8c, do not freeze

When the correct dosing schedule is followed, the vaccine provides immunity against the major 5 clostridial diseases (Pulpy Kidney, Tetanus, Malignant Oedema, Blackleg and Blacks disease), plus Cheesy Gland.

It is always a 1ml dose no matter if it is lambs, older sheep, goats or kids being vaccinated

6in1 should be the minimum standard vaccine for breeding ewes and rams being kept on farm for more than 12 months

For goats, both 6in1 and 3in1 are registered for use, however 6in1 comes in a smaller pack (100ml) and is more readily available, so is often chosen. The schedule for goats is a little different though, as they need boosters every 6 months.

It is important to follow the correct two dose protocol.

The initial 2 doses, ideally 4-6 weeks apart but not more than 5 months apart, as a lamb or kid, or initially in any other sheep or goat of unknown history or where previous vaccinations have lapsed well beyond 12 months.

Be aware that protection is not afforded until after the second dose

Annual boosters should be given to sheep to maintain immunity (often this is timed into ewes with pre-lambing treatments)

6 monthly boosters should be given to goats to maintain immunity

Always administer subcutaneously (just under the skin)

18g ¼inch (6mm) needles should always be used

The vaccine should ideally be given down the neck, at least 50mm from the ear, in a spot mid-neck where the flat neck muscle lies – this avoids critical structures of the neck and head.

Never give 6in1 and Gudair on the same side of the neck, as they may mix under the skin and be rendered ineffective.

Safety vaccinators are recommended for administering the vaccine, Glanvac can go through both the Gudair blue sekurus safety vaccinator (wash it out really well after Gudair, or ideally have one for Gudair and one for Glanvac), and it can also go through the orange shrouded Zoetis safeshot, as these are designed for Zoetis sheep vaccine with a fixed 1ml dose.

If a producer chooses to use one of the unshrouded small/cheap vaccinators that is their choice – it is fine to use through these simpler cheaper vaccinators, however safety is often compromised due to the needle exposed at the end of the vaccinator.

It is relatively safe to use, however accidental self injection or needlestick injuries should still be cleaned, monitored and checked by a doctor if any sort of pain or swelling is noted (see label or call Zoetis for further information)

Once the vaccine is first used, it can be stored and used for up to 30 days, however it must be stored correctly - in the fridge, upright, disconnected from the draw off tube.