The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: Fishyhaddock on March 07, 2011, 06:26:02 pm

Title: Once opened how long do you keep Heptavac for?
Post by: Fishyhaddock on March 07, 2011, 06:26:02 pm

I thought that once the seal was broken it lasts for just 10 hours - however a colleague mentioned that you can keep it in the fridge for about 6 months given the seal is only punctured by the needle. Your views?

We injected our sheep just over a few weeks ago and if this is the case it looks like that I have disposed of some Heptavac that would have been okay for the lambs - when born and old enough.
Fishy

Title: Re: Once opened how long do you keep Heptavac for?
Post by: shep53 on March 07, 2011, 08:14:58 pm

Please look back well dicused JAN 26 TH page 5

Title: Re: Once opened how long do you keep Heptavac for?
Post by: robert waddell on March 07, 2011, 08:28:25 pm

we were in the same predicament 2 ewes 3 lambs
our vet recommended using the multishot injector (used for bvd injection)
fit the bottle on the gun use place in fridge then reuse for second dose then discard
when we used it for the second time we purged the vaccine that was in the cylinder
hope this helps if not clear enough just ask

Title: Re: Once opened how long do you keep Heptavac for?
Post by: lachlanandmarcus on March 08, 2011, 08:44:47 am

Gosh wish I had read this before I bought 2 x 25 dose bottles...:-) we have a multi injector too...

Title: Re: Once opened how long do you keep Heptavac for?
Post by: Rosemary on March 08, 2011, 09:46:39 am

We don't have a multi injector but I use a clean needle to draw off the vaccine and leave it in the bottle till we're finished then keep the bottle in the fridge until next time. I wouldn't keep it from say the second lamb dose in May until the boosters in February, but I'd keep it between February and May, if you see what I mean.

Title: Re: Once opened how long do you keep Heptavac for?
Post by: Fishyhaddock on March 08, 2011, 05:07:31 pm

Thanks all - will look into multi injector - this is a new one to me and will look back at previous posts. I'm right in thinking that the new lambs get their first jab about 3 months folowed by 5 weeks later?

Title: Re: Once opened how long do you keep Heptavac for?
Post by: Fishyhaddock on March 08, 2011, 05:21:43 pm

Found the 25th Jan thread - brilliant info. Fishy

Title: Re: Once opened how long do you keep Heptavac for?
Post by: Southfields on March 17, 2011, 08:26:56 pm

We had the same dilemma, spoke to a great non pushy rep from Intervet today and he said it must be discarded after 10 hours as after that the vaccine will not work as they are not allowed under EC regs to put preservatives in.

Find a few people in the same area and share the vaccine so it works out cheaper.

Title: Re: Once opened how long do you keep Heptavac for?
Post by: Rosemary on March 18, 2011, 09:59:17 am

It we're all using dud vaccine and the sheep are fine, do we really need to use it at all? ???

Title: Re: Once opened how long do you keep Heptavac for?
Post by: SallyintNorth on March 18, 2011, 11:12:27 am

Quote from: Rosemary on March 18, 2011, 09:59:17 am

It we're all using dud vaccine and the sheep are fine, do we really need to use it at all? ???

 :D :D :D :D

Title: Re: Once opened how long do you keep Heptavac for?
Post by: robert waddell on March 18, 2011, 11:41:37 am

with the multi injector the bottle is sealed once fitted   rosemary we used to do the same as you do to prevent contamination but i think once you see the multi shot and how it works you will be a convert as to the non pushy rep monsanto used to have them aswell would you take there advice???     now there is a question for the rep if we are using dud vacine???? :wave: :wave: