Effectiveness of an immunoprophylactic program for prevention of most common diseases in dairy cattle herd

Intensive dairy cattle production has a negative impact on the welfare, affecting their health status, resistance, and production. The increased of disease and difficulties with treatment the polyetiological diseases, as well as restrictions of use of antibiotics due to widespread drug resistance among microorganisms, necessitate the implementation of measures to improve parameters of immunity and welfare. The aim of study was to assess the effectiveness of an immunoprophylaxis program developed by authors for all categories of dairy cattle. The research was conducted during the years 2019-2024 on two dairy farms in Lublin Voivodeship. All categories of cattle: cows, heifers, and calves, were included in an obligatory detailed program of vaccinations, deworming, and preventive measures to improve their welfare. It should be noted that, prior to the implementation of the immunization program in the herds, not all animals were subject to mandatory vaccination-this applies, among others, to calves and cows. The implemented program significantly enhanced the animals' health and productive parameters, in calves, cows and heifers. In calves, the mortality was reduced to 7%, omphalitis to 0.5%, diarrhea to 15%, and respiratory disease to 0.1%. In cows, there was a significant reduction in mastitis, metritis or lameness. In addition, to immunoprophylaxis, efficient herd management also influenced the prevalence of placental retention, subclinical ketosis and left displaced abomasum. Another effect was an improvement in the quality of colostrum. In more than 98.5% of heifers, the first insemination took place at the age of 12-13 months, which can be considered a relatively high percentage. To sum up, the immunoprophylaxis program increased the natural condition in all categories of cattle, which translated into improved health parameters in calves and dairy cows.