Method of preventing early
The present invention relates inter alia to the use of a combination of a vaccine against Lawsonia intracellularis and an anti- Lawsonia antibiotic for the prevention or reduction of early, preferably fulminant Lawsonia intracellularis infections. The present invention relates particularly to the use of a live Lawsonia intracellularis vaccine in conjunction with an antibiotic that is effective against Lawsonia intracellularis , for the avoidance or reduction of early Lawsonia intracellularis infections in animals.
1. A method of increasing weight gain and growth of weaned piglets comprising administering a live attenuated Lawsonia intracellularis vaccine when the piglets are about four weeks of age and administering tylosin antibiotic effective against Lawsonia intracellularis for a period of 18 to 21 days starting at day 3 after the administration of the live attenuated Lawsonia intracellularis vaccine.
2. A method of reducing the maximum rearing period of piglets comprising administering a live attenuated Lawsonia intracellularis vaccine when the piglets are about four weeks of age and administering tylosin antibiotic effective against Lawsonia intracellularis for a period of 18 to 21 days starting at day 3 after the administration of the live attenuated Lawsonia intracellularis vaccine.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein said tylosin antibiotic is administered in an amount of 10 to 50 mg/kg of body weight of the piglets.
4. The method of claim 2 , wherein said tylosin antibiotic is administered in an amount of 10 to 50 mg/kg of body weight of the piglets.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the live attenuated Lawsonia intracellularis vaccine induces Lawsonia intracellularis -specific antibodies in the piglets.
6. The method of claim 2 , wherein the live attenuated Lawsonia intracellularis vaccine induces Lawsonia intracellularis -specific antibodies in the piglets.