The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Goats => Topic started by: Christian on April 04, 2023, 07:08:02 pm

Title: Lambivac & heptavac shortage
Post by: Christian on April 04, 2023, 07:08:02 pm

Hi Folks,

is it just me? I am trying to source a wee bottle of Lambivac - there's none. Heptavac? Nope. Is that all sitting in a queue in Dover? Vet suggested Covexin..... sigh.....

Christian

Title: Re: Lambivac & heptavac shortage
Post by: ZacB on April 05, 2023, 06:24:26 am

We lamb in December, had issues due to shortages of heptavac back then - finally got some just by luck really.

Title: Re: Lambivac & heptavac shortage
Post by: steve_pr on April 06, 2023, 03:46:47 pm

There always seems to be a shortage of Heptavac (and even more so Lambivac) in the smaller bottles. Our local store only has 500ml bottles left now!!!  Fortunately I bought as much as I needed in the smaller sizes back in the summer when it forst came available. Felt bad about grabbing the stock but after last year it was a no-brainer.


We couldn't get Heptavac and turn to Bravoxin which seemed agood deal (small pack sizes and 1ml doses). I think Covexin is much the same thing. The trouble is neither of them cover Pasteurella. Come last autumn we had lambs dropping like flies just when they should have been ready for market - all down to pneumonia. Never again!


We have both sheep and goats (Angoras) and although there is much debate about which vaccine to use for goats we have always used Heptavac P Plus on them as well as the sheep and never had any issues. We have spoken to a few of the top Angora breeders who are also vets and they don't see a major issue.

Title: Re: Lambivac & heptavac shortage
Post by: Christian on April 06, 2023, 05:47:44 pm

Thanks Steve_pr and ZacB - always good to know it's not just me.... I've finally found some lambivac (100ml) not too far away (a cool 80 miles round trip....)(Anke, if you need some, there'll be oodles left). Might have a word with the distributer - there must be a good reason for the shortage....

Happy Easter, folks!

Title: Re: Lambivac & heptavac shortage
Post by: Backinwellies on April 10, 2023, 12:04:05 pm

I understood it was a shortage of small bottles that was the issue ......  well that was what I was told last year ..... but cant see how that could still be the case

Title: Re: Lambivac & heptavac shortage
Post by: Womble on April 11, 2023, 10:38:25 am

Everybody out of stock in Central Scotland too.

If this continues, can anybody explain what we'd be missing by using Ovivac instead? Also if we go down that route, I take it we can still switch back to Heptavac by double-dosing hoggs next year?

Title: Re: Lambivac & heptavac shortage
Post by: Womble on May 03, 2023, 11:25:29 am

Our local farm store is now saying no Heptavac available before June. So what's everybody doing instead? Ovivac, or something else?