Pharmaceuticals, Vaccines, & Biologicals Category Guide
Part of Animal Health and Veterinary
What Are Pharmaceuticals, Vaccines & Biologicals?
This category includes all the medications, vaccines, and biological products used to treat, prevent, or control disease in dairy cattle. This encompasses antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, dewormers, reproductive hormones, vitamins, vaccines, and specialty biologicals—the veterinary medicine cabinet for dairy operations.
Why Proper Medication Matters
Pharmaceuticals are essential tools for treating sick animals and preventing disease outbreaks. However, responsible use is critical—for animal welfare, treatment effectiveness, food safety, and addressing antibiotic resistance concerns. All treatments should follow veterinarian guidance and label requirements.
Key Benefits of Appropriate Use
- Effective treatment: Right drug, right dose, right duration
- Disease prevention: Vaccines reduce illness and spread
- Food safety: Proper withdrawal times ensure safe milk and meat
- Resistance prevention: Judicious use slows resistance development
Major Product Categories
Antibiotics
Treat bacterial infections including mastitis, pneumonia, metritis, and foot rot. Selection should be based on diagnosis, culture results when practical, and veterinary guidance. Withdrawal times must be observed.
Anti-Inflammatories
NSAIDs (flunixin, meloxicam) and corticosteroids reduce inflammation and provide pain relief. Important for mastitis, lameness, and other painful conditions.
Vaccines
Stimulate immunity against viral and bacterial diseases. Core vaccines may include respiratory pathogens (IBR, BVD, PI3, BRSV), clostridial diseases, and E. coli scours. Programs should be designed with your veterinarian.
Dewormers
Control internal parasites, especially important in grazing situations and young stock. Strategic deworming based on risk is more effective than routine treatment.
Reproductive Hormones
Prostaglandins, GnRH, and progesterone products used for estrus synchronization, treating reproductive problems, and managing pregnancy.
Responsible Use Principles
- Veterinary guidance: Work under a valid VCPR with prescription oversight
- Accurate diagnosis: Treat identified problems, not symptoms
- Label compliance: Follow dosing, route, and withdrawal requirements
- Record keeping: Document all treatments completely
- Residue prevention: Never ship treated animals before withdrawal completion
Do You Need a Complete Pharmacy?
Every dairy needs:
- Core vaccines appropriate for your region and risk factors
- Treatment products for common conditions (mastitis, respiratory, lameness)
- Emergency supplies for after-hours situations
- Veterinary protocols for all treatments used
Cost Considerations
Vaccine programs cost $5-15 per animal per year for core protocols. Treatment pharmaceuticals vary widely by product. Bulk purchasing through veterinary or cooperative channels may reduce costs. The value is in preventing losses from disease and treating effectively when illness occurs.