Description

BotVax B by Neogen is a USDA-approved monovalent vaccine for the prevention of equine botulism caused by Clostridium botulinum Type B in healthy horses. USDA APHIS lists BotVax B under the licensed biological product name Clostridium Botulinum Type B Toxoid for equine use.

The vaccine may be administered to healthy adult horses, pregnant mares, and foals beginning at 2 weeks of age. It is designed to provide protection against the major forms of Type B equine botulism, including forage poisoning, toxicoinfectious botulism in foals, commonly called Shaker Foal Syndrome, and wound botulism.

BotVax B is specific to Type B botulism and does not provide protection against other C. botulinum toxin types.

Uses & Benefits

• USDA-approved equine botulism Type B vaccine
• Helps prevent equine botulism caused by Clostridium botulinum Type B
• For use in healthy horses
• May be administered to healthy adult horses
• May be administered to healthy pregnant mares
• May be administered to healthy foals 2 weeks of age and older
• Provides protection against Type B forage-associated botulism
• Provides protection against Type B toxicoinfectious botulism in foals
• Provides protection against Type B wound botulism
• Straightforward 3-dose initial vaccination series
• Requires a single annual booster following the initial series
• USDA-licensed veterinary biological product

How It Works

BotVax B contains purified botulinum Type B toxoid adsorbed onto aluminum phosphate. Vaccination stimulates the horse's immune system to develop an immune response against botulinum Type B toxin.

The initial three-dose series establishes immunity, followed by annual booster vaccination to maintain protection.

Research cited by the manufacturer indicates that pregnant mares vaccinated during the third trimester, with the third dose or booster administered 2–4 weeks before foaling, develop antibodies that become concentrated in colostrum. These antibodies can provide passive antibody protection to normal suckling foals that receive adequate colostrum.

Indications

For the prevention of equine botulism caused by Clostridium botulinum Type B in healthy horses.

This product does not provide protection against other Clostridium botulinum toxin types.

Ingredients

Active Ingredients:

• Purified Botulinum Type B Toxoid
• Aluminum Phosphate Adsorbed

Inactive Ingredients:

• Thimerosal – 0.01%, as preservative
• Formaldehyde – less than 1.85 g/L, as inactivating solution

Directions

Shake well before use.

Administer using aseptic technique.

Inject 2 mL intramuscularly at monthly intervals for a total of 3 doses.

Following completion of the initial series, administer a single 2 mL intramuscular booster annually.

Weight / Dosage

Healthy Horses:

• Initial dose: 2 mL IM
• Second dose: 2 mL IM approximately 1 month later
• Third dose: 2 mL IM approximately 1 month after the second dose
• Annual booster: 2 mL IM once yearly

Pregnant Mares:

The manufacturer reports that pregnant mares immunized during the third trimester, with the third dose or booster administered 2–4 weeks before foaling, develop antibodies that are concentrated in colostrum and can provide passive antibodies to normal suckling foals.

Foals:

May be administered to healthy foals 2 weeks of age and older.

Cautions

• For veterinary use only.
• For animal use only.
• Keep out of reach of children.
• Vaccinate healthy horses only.
• Use aseptic technique.
• Shake well before administration.
• Transient local reactions such as heat and minor swelling may occur at the injection site.
• Anaphylactic or anaphylactoid reactions may occur.
• The manufacturer's technical information identifies epinephrine as antidotal in the event of an anaphylactic reaction.
• Do not vaccinate food-producing animals within 21 days of slaughter.
• Do not freeze.
• Use the entire contents when the vial is first opened.
• Do not store opened vials.

Possible Side Effects

Reported reactions may include:

• Temporary heat at the injection site
• Minor localized swelling
• Anaphylactic or anaphylactoid reactions

Contact a veterinarian promptly if a serious or unexpected reaction occurs following vaccination.

Precautions

• Vaccinate healthy animals only
• Shake well before use
• Administer intramuscularly
• Use appropriate aseptic technique
• Use a new sterile needle and syringe as appropriate
• Follow the complete initial vaccination schedule
• Maintain annual booster vaccination as directed
• Keep refrigerated
• Do not freeze
• Use the entire contents after opening
• Do not store partially used opened vials
• Consult a veterinarian when developing an appropriate vaccination program for an individual horse or herd

Storage

Store unopened vials refrigerated at 2°–8°C (35°–45°F). Do not freeze. Use the entire contents of the container when first opened. Do not store opened vials.

Heartland ships vaccines in cooling packaging and currently requires overnight delivery for vaccines.

Disposal

Dispose of used needles immediately in an approved sharps container. Dispose of empty vaccine containers and unused or expired vaccine according to applicable federal, state, and local requirements.