At Plasvacc, we provide veterinary biological products that help animals live longer, healthier lives. We started Plasvacc out of a passion for horses, dogs, and healthy, happy animals of all kinds. From our facility in beautiful Kalbar, Queensland and our sister ranch in Templeton, California, we collect and process Caniplas® and Equiplas® hyperimmunised plasma for the treatment of a variety of canine and equine conditions.
What is Hyperimmunised Plasma?
Plasma is the liquid, cell-free component of mammalian blood. Hyperimmunised plasma contains an increased level of antibodies (immunoglobulin) over untreated plasma. These increased antibodies have been shown to provide greater protection from infections, as well as promote faster healing and recovery times. Plasma supports the animal’s natural immune system, so there are fewer side effects and drug interactions.
Hyperimmunised plasma is used for the prevention and treatment of conditions such as Failure of Passive Transfer (FPT) in foals and Rhodococcus equi infections. Additionally, it can shorten recovery times from other diseases and injuries. Scientific details about the effects of hyperimmune equine plasma can be found here:
Plasvacc’s 100% traceable, single source, cell-free plasma is collected exclusively from our donor animals. All Plasvacc’s products are rigorously tested and APVMA (Australian Pesticide and Veterinary Medicines Authority) or NZFSA (New Zealand Food Safety Authority) approved.
Canine Donors
Hyperimmunised plasma can only come from donor animals who adhere to a regimen of testing, vaccinations, and monitoring. Before being accepted into the closed donor group, animals are quarantined and screened for suitability as plasma and red cell donors by outside experts.
Our canine donors have retired from racing and enjoy their days in groups or pairs in our spacious exercising yards in Kalbar, where they are meticulously cared for and donate plasma about once a month.
Our equine donors also reside at our facility in Kalbar, and like their canine counterparts, are screened, tested, and hyperimmunised for a variety of specific diseases, such as Rhodococcus equi. Every Plasvacc donor animal is tended to by veterinary professionals who love what they do.
Collection Process
Plasma is collected by Plasvacc’s Pheresis Technicians, who know and care for each donor animal. During collection, each donor also receives replacement IV fluids so they are ready to rejoin the pack without feeling sick or dehydrated. Plasvacc’s plasma products are then quality control tested immediately after collection, and only sold once the product meets all specifications and approval from Plasvacc’s Quality Team is received.
Benefits and Results
Hyperimmunised plasma has shown efficacy for a variety of illnesses and injuries. In dogs, Caniplas plasma can help minimise treatment times, shorten hospital stays, and require fewer medications. Canine Parvovirus cases have seen faster recovery times with plasma treatments because they supplement the dog’s natural immune response, allowing the animal more time to fight the infection.
In horses, hyperimmunised plasma has several applications. Since foals are born with few antibodies, they need the benefits of IgG provided by the mother’s colostrum. When antibodies cannot be passed through the colostrum, the foal can suffer from Failure of Passive Transfer (FPT), which can be fatal. Equiplas provides the necessary IgG antibodies to help every foal reach its full potential.
Complete failure of passive transfer in foals is defined as an IgG level of less than 400 mg/dL, and partial failure is an IgG level of between 400-800 mg/dL, 24 hours after birth. Administering one unit of plasma at birth can provide the foal with a strong, healthy immune system to give it the best start in life.
In addition to FPT treatment in foals, Equiplas R has been used to prevent Rhodococcus equi, and other serious infections. Read more about how plasma therapy can benefit horses here.
“Years ago, we would see the clinic full of cases of Rhodococcus, foals one right after another … and now most of the farms in the area use [Equiplas], and we just don’t see it anymore.”
– Ed Hamer, DVM.
To learn more about hyperimmunised plasma, Equiplas Caniplas, please visit the Scientific Papers section of the website. For more information on any of our products or if you have any questions, feel free to contact us.
