Vaccination Schedule for Cattle and Buffaloes in Pakistan (FMD, HS, BQ, LSD)

Most of the serious disease losses on Pakistani dairy farms come from a handful of infections that vaccines prevent well. A simple yearly plan, written on the wall and recorded for every animal, protects milk income far more cheaply than treatment.

The main diseases to vaccinate against

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD, "moonh khur")

FMD spreads fast between farms and causes painful blisters, lameness and a heavy drop in milk. It is endemic in Pakistan, so routine vaccination is the norm.

• Usually given twice a year, about six months apart (many farms vaccinate before the spring and autumn seasons).
• Young stock typically get a first dose from about 3–4 months of age with a booster a few weeks later — check the product.

Haemorrhagic septicaemia (HS, "gal ghotu")

HS strikes suddenly, especially buffaloes, often around the monsoon. Animals can die within a day.

• Vaccinate before the monsoon (commonly May–June); some areas give a second dose before winter.

Black quarter (BQ, "chhar chhari")

A fast-moving clostridial disease mostly seen in young, well-fed cattle.

• Usually given once a year before the rainy season, often combined with the HS vaccine.

Lumpy skin disease (LSD)

LSD caused heavy losses in Pakistan in 2022. It is spread mainly by biting flies, mosquitoes and ticks.

• Vaccinate as advised by the livestock department, typically once a year ahead of the vector season.
• Control flies and ticks and isolate animals with skin nodules.

Brucellosis

Brucellosis causes abortions and infertility, and it can infect people through raw milk and handling of birth fluids.

• Female calves are commonly vaccinated once between about 4 and 8 months of age, under veterinary supervision.
• Never handle aborted material with bare hands; boil milk before drinking.

Other routine protection

• Deworming: young stock especially; follow a vet's plan rather than dosing blindly, as resistance is growing.
• Tick control: ticks spread blood parasites (theileriosis, babesiosis, anaplasmosis), which are a major cause of fever and milk loss in summer.
• Anthrax and rabies: vaccinate where your vet advises (anthrax in known endemic areas; rabies after dog bites or where risk is high).

Make vaccination work

1. Vaccinate healthy animals; postpone animals with fever.
2. Keep vaccines cold from purchase to injection — a warm vaccine may not protect.
3. Use a clean needle per animal (or at least per group) to avoid spreading blood parasites.
4. Record the date, vaccine, batch number and next due date for every animal.
5. Vaccinate new purchases or keep them separate for 2–3 weeks before mixing.

Tracking due dates is where most farms slip. A simple record — on paper or in MTK Dairy's health module — that shows which animals are due next month removes the guesswork.