[Alpacasite] Re: Adverse reactions in cria to CDT shot

Laura,

You ask an excellent question. The answer gets a little involved, but
here is my quick take on it.

First, what do I mean by "reaction". Obviously, the whole point of
giving a vaccine is to get an immunologic reaction. Part and parcel
of that immunologic reaction may be that the alpaca may feel a little
punk (now there's a word I haven't used in a while ;-) after the shot.

Second, lets look at "reaction" meaning adverse reaction. Most of us
have had tetanus shots. Most of us have had a minor ache in the arm
getting the shot the next day. A few of us have had a really sore arm
after a tetanus shot...........this would be an adverse reaction.
Further, a small number of us have had a very sore arm with swelling
and pain..........this would be a severe adverse reaction. In passing
I mention that the reactions I am using as an example are
inflamatory, not allergic reactions, which is a different and more
involved discussion.

With the above definitions, let me give you examples of what kinds of
reactions (meaning adverse reaction in this case) have led me to
withhold CD&T shots in my own herd. In adult alpaca I have had
animals limp for the next day or two. I had one female cush most of
the time for a 2 day period. She would get up and walk normally if I
prompted her, but otherwise cushed in the barn.

One cria last spring, after being given his first CD&T shot acted a
bit aggitated, sneezed a few times, and then cushed for the next hour
or so. Yes, we did watch him very closely during this time for signs
of breathing difficulty.........none thank goodness.

I would consider all of these adverse reactions, worthy of special
consideration.

Now, going back to another point that many of us have stressed in the
past, giving any type of shot involves a risk vs benefit evaluation.
If I thought that the risk of disease was high I would still give
vaccines to prevent disease despite these adverse reactions. In this
particular case, given my experience with the diseases that CD&T
covers in central Maryland and my own stocking ratios, husbandry
practices and other factors, I have concluded that (again, in my herd
only) the risk of giving CD&T is not worth the risk of the adverse
reactions I am seeing (and the more severe reactions that may be
coming if I continue giving shots to these animals).

So, to finally answer your question, as defined above I don't mind a
reaction, but an adverse reaction to CD&T in my herd means that
alpaca is not going to get that vaccine again.

Hopefully more clear this time.........

Neil
A Paca Fun Farm
Mt. Airy, Maryland
Sugarloaf Mountain, Maryland
www.apacafunfarm.com

--- In Alpacasite@yahoogroups.com, Laura Coussens <kcalpaca@p...>
wrote:
>
> Hi Neil,
>
> Is a reaction simply acting a little slow for a day or two after
being
> vaccinated?
> Or. is it something more severe?
> Occasionally, I'll have an animal act a little tired, but I think
that's
> fairly normal, isn't it?
>
> Laura Coussens
> Kissin' Coussens Alpacas
>
> mpcpneilp wrote:
>
> >Cathy
> >
> >The short answer to why a cria is given a CD&T shot so young is
that
> >even though the cria's immune system can't produce significant
> >amounts of antibodies it can still learn to recognize "not self".
> >Think of early CD&T shots as priming the pump.
> >
> >Reactions to vaccines can happen at any age. In our own herd when
an
> >alpaca (at any age) has a reaction to a vaccine, it the last shot
of
> >that vaccine that the alpaca gets.
> >
> >Neil
> >A Paca Fun Farm
> >Mt. Airy, Maryland
> >Sugarloaf Mountain, Maryland
> >www.apacafunfarm.com
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>

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