Homologous passive protection of lambs against various clostridial diseases — Part 2

Abstract

Extract

In a previous paper (Wallace, 1963) it was pointed out that, in lambs born from ewes immunized with a highly antigenic multi-component clostridial vaccinef, passive protection by way of the colostrum or first milk against the major clostridial diseases could be achieved for the first 12 to 16 weeks of life. In the past, the duration of such homologous passive protection had been put at some 6 to 8 weeks only and the extension of this period to 12 to 16 weeks caused much discussion and not a little controversy. The greater duration of immunity undoubtedly reflects the improvement in present-day multiple vaccines as compared even with single vaccines of the past, making it possible for the first time to take lambs through to slaughter without vaccination or serum treatment.