Vetlexicon Bovis from Vetlexicon | Definitive Veterinary Intelligence

Introduction

One of the techniques included in this article involves the use of formalin/formaldehyde. It is essential to check local rules and ensure that the use of formalin in a veterinary medicine is permitted in your locality. Rules may vary between countries and the responsibility to comply with local rules rests with the individual veterinary surgeon.

Therapeutic vaccination of cattle with papillomatous lesions Papillomatosis to induce a humoral and cell mediated immune response against a specific bovine papilloma virus (BPV) Papilloma virus resulting in regression of the warty lesion.
Prophylactic vaccination of cattle (as young as 4-6 weeks of age).

Uses

Advantages

The preparation of an autogenous bovine papillomavirus vaccine can be carried out in-house and does not require specialist equipment.
The autogenous vaccine is specific to the bovine papillomavirus causing the lesion in the animal it was taken from.
In cases of extensive papillomatous lesions, vaccination is less invasive than surgical removal.

Disadvantages

May be unnecessary for some bovine patients as spontaneous regression is common.
The response to the bovine papillomavirus vaccine is variable.
Repeated injections of the autogenous vaccine may be required.
Refrigeration facilities are required.
If formaldehyde is used, then appropriate safety protocols should be followed, and local rules adhered to.

The use of formaldehyde must caution a health and safety warning, for example, in the UK the Health and Safety Executive has produced guidance on Formaldehyde and its safe use in the non-veterinary workplace (see references below). In particular, goggles, PVC gloves and aprons must be worn, and work must take place in a well-ventilated area.

Most autogenous vaccines are made with an antimicrobial agent (antimicrobial stewardship concerns).
In the UK, the manufacturing premises and the method of production must be the subject of a valid Autogenous Vaccination Authorization (AVA) from the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD). This is needed for autogenous vaccines manufactured from pathogens or antigens obtained from an animal/s and used for the treatment of that animal and/or other animals within the same epidemiological unit or in the same rearing chain. More information in the references below.