ST. JOSEPH, MO (January 25, 2003) – Boehringer Ingelheim Vetemedica, Inc. (BIVI), received USDA approval for a new, modified-live virus vaccine, Breed-Back™ FP, a vaccine specifically developed to aid in the prevention of persistently infected (PI) calves caused by Bovine Viral Diarrhea (BVD) Types 1 & 2.Incorporate BREED-BACK™ FP into existing heifer and cow vaccination schedules to help protect unborn calves during gestation and herds from the long term impact of PI calves. Breed-Back FP is administered subcutaneously (Sub-Q) and meets Beef Quality Assurance guidelines. It is available in four antigen combinations to fit individual management protocols. These are: BREED-BACK™ FP 5, BREED-BACK ™ FP 5-HS, BREED-BACK ™ FP 10 and BREED-BACK ™ FP 10-HS.
According to Kansas State University, 70 to 90% of the world’s cattle population is seropositive for BVD Types 1 & 2. PI calves are born to heifers and cows exposed to a BVD challenge generally during the first 30 to 120 days of gestation. This challenge can result in the BVD virus crossing the placenta and infecting the fetus.
If the fetus is not aborted or stillborn, a calf is born carrying the BVD virus. This calf's immune system is immunotolerant to the BVD virus.
The resulting BVD-infected calf continually sheds significant amounts of virus to the entire herd according to Carol Rinehart, Ph.D., manager of bovine biological research and development at BIVI. PI calves can be poor doers and highly susceptible to other calfhood diseases or they can be healthy looking and go undetected in the herd. Death rates for a PI calf are greater than 50 percent in the first 12 months of life.
Breed-Back FP can be administered to non-pregnant cattle a minimum of four weeks before artificial insemination or being placed with bulls.
Breed-Back FP is available in 100 mL 50-dose and 20 mL, 10-dose bottles. Some combinations also offer a 10 mL 5-dose bottle.
Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. is a subsidiary of Boehringer Ingelheim Corporation, based in Ridgefield, Connecticut and a member of the Boehringer Ingelheim group of companies. For more information on Boehringer Ingelheim, please see www.boehringer-ingelheim.com.