While there are many things to evaluate in cow selection, the importance of udder and teat conformation should not be underestimated. Many a cow is culled later in life because of bad teats. Her calves may have a hard time sucking and getting much-needed colostrum. Getting a calf sucking on big coke-bottle teats can take […] Read more
Select cows for udder conformation
Animal Health with Roy Lewis: Calves start at a disadvantage if they can't nurse properly
Using NSAID painkillers at calving
Animal Health: The treatment can benefit both cows and calves
With pain medication there may be adjunct treatment with antibiotics but sometimes this is unnecessary. If your veterinarian prescribes NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) for pain he/she may choose one for several reasons — label claims, past experience in the field, price per treatment or per 100 pounds, duration of activity, ease of administration, advice of […] Read more
Good treatment options for septic arthritis in cattle
Surgery often gives animal several more productive years
Very often we have a farm call or a cow is brought in with an unrelenting lameness the producer has treated two or three times for “footrot” but to no avail. The cow is often bearing almost no weight on the leg. While simple footrot is blamed the real cause of lameness is septic arthritis. […] Read more
Pay attention to castration procedures in calves
Animal Health: Proper technique, timing and painkillers produce the best results
We now have many tools at our disposal for castration of beef and dairy calves. Newer techniques coupled with use of NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) when used in skilled hands will ensure the procedure is done properly and welfare issues are addressed. Most producers are ahead of the beef code recommendations for castration. Ideally the […] Read more
New December regulation will benefit livestock industry
Animal Health: You’ll need prescriptions for antimicrobials, along with a client/veterinarian relationship
If you raise livestock, use animal health products, and don’t have a solid relationship with a veterinarian, please read this article and pass it on to a producer you know whom seldom uses a veterinarian as they are the main group to benefit greatly from some of the examples in this article. There is apprehension […] Read more
Benefits to direct-shipping cattle
Improved animal health plus reduced costs equal a win-win for seller and buyer
It has long been recognized that stress of transport coupled with commingling of cattle greatly increases stress, shrinkage and the incidence of respiratory diseases. Auction markets for many years now have put on satellite or internet sales as a way to market larger groups of cattle without them leaving the farm. This is pretty much […] Read more
Be watchful for animals overheating
Animal Health: Do your best to prevent it, and be prepared to provide relief on hot days
Every year during the first few hot days of summer we hear many warnings regarding leaving pets or even children unattended in vehicles as the temperature inside closed vehicles on warm days can rise to more than 50 C. We often don’t realize how susceptible livestock are to the same condition. Many farmers and veterinarians […] Read more
Make sure livestock have water
Situation can get serious quickly if a pump fails, or a water hole dries up
Water is the most essential nutrient of life and even though most areas have more than enough water this year, it’s always worth talking about the risk of water deprivation. Insufficient and poor-quality water can reduce weight gain and depending on the water source, there can be other issues such as foot rot and potential […] Read more
Gaps in vaccination programs can be costly
Animal Health: Forgetting to vaccinate or missing booster shots can increase risk of disease
We as veterinarians and producers should constantly review our vaccination protocols to check for lapses in either booster shot administration, missing certain antigens in our vaccines, or keeping current with new or emerging diseases to which vaccines are now available. Cattle transported to other areas where other diseases may be more prevalent have often been […] Read more
Assess lameness problem before rushing to treatment
Animal Health: Don’t just assume a limping animal has foot rot, as several conditions may apply
During summer grazing, lameness is one of the most common ailments encountered in beef cattle. Whether it’s calves, cows, yearlings or purebred or commercial, none are immune from developing some types of lameness. Surprisingly, many cattle really don’t require much treatment, yet many are treated. Producers often use the all-encompassing term of ‘foot rot,’ yet […] Read more
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