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Serum Antibody Products
Michael D. Piontkowski,
DVM
Senior Staff Veterinarian
Technical Service
Serum antibody products
are as the name implies, derived from serum, the fraction of
whole blood that contains the disease-fighting proteins known
as antibodies. Antibodies are produced by normal animals in
response to an antigen (in our case, bacteria or bacterial
toxins) and are very specific for that antigen. An antigen, in
the presence of its specific antibodies is destroyed or
neutralized. The end result is an animal immune to that
antigen. One way to produce antibodies (immunity) is to
vaccinate, but that takes time. An alternate method to produce
immunity is to provide the actual antibodies in a ready-to-use
format, or a serum antibody product.
Like the cavalry unit that storms over the hill to save the
day, a serum antibody product provides immediate treatment or
prevention of a specific threat, like bacteria or a toxin
capable of causing disease in the animal. This type of
immunity is known as passive immunity. Colostrum is another
example of passive immunity as opposed to active immunity
produced by vaccines that require a minimum of two to four
weeks to produce an effective immunity. Active immunity is
like the soldiers holding the fort and always ready to
mobilize against an enemy threat.
Advantages of a serum antibody product are of course its
immediate response. It can be used for treatment or prevention
(vaccines are for prevention). Bacterial resistance is not an
issue and there are no drug residues. It will not interfere
with antibiotic therapy. Derived from live animals, it is a
natural product (thimerosol and phenol are added as
preservatives).
Serum antibody products can be used as an immediate, but
temporary prevention of a disease or as a treatment of a
current disease. It can be used to supplement inadequate
consumption or quality of colostrums. A producer can
supplement or support an antibiotic treatment or treat animals
that are not responding to treatment. They can also be used in
the face of an epizootic (animal version of an outbreak).
Remember the protection will be short-term, lasting only about
ten to fourteen days. For long-term protection, vaccination
should follow about two to three weeks after the use of a
serum antibody product.
As always, read and follow the label directions.
At Colorado Serum Company, we provide six serum antibody
products.
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BOVI-SERA Serum
Antibody
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CLOSTRIDIUM
PERFRINGENS C&D Antitoxin
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NORMAL SERUM, Equine
Origin
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TETANUS ANTITOXIN –
Equine origin
RESPIRAGEN Serum
Antibodies
WEST NILE VIRUS Antibody, Equine
Origin
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