Recognizing and Managing Common Health Problems of Replacement Show Heifers
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Transcript of Recognizing and Managing Common Health Problems of Replacement Show Heifers
Recognizing and Managing Common Health Problems of Replacement Show Heifers
Floron C. Faries, Jr., DVM, MS
Professor and Extension Program Leader
Texas AgriLife Extension Service
Texas A&M System
College Station, TX 77843
http://extensionvetmed.tamu.edu
“My heifer’s eyes are cloudy and runny.”
Pink Eye
bacterial disease
excessive flow of tears
holding the eye partially closed
rubbing the eye
seeking shaded areas
IBR Virus Eye (Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis)
aerosol transmission of this virus
may develop cloudy cornea
no ulceration
isolation of affected animals
vaccination of the whole herd
Cancer Eye (Squamous Cell Carcinoma) smooth plaques on the eyeball
ulcer or horn lesions on the eyelids
excessive flow of tears
heating or freezing therapies
surgical removal
eyeball and eyelids removal
Photo Eye (Photosensitization)
hypersensitivity to sunlight
cloudiness of the cornea
non-pigmented tissues
sunburned
protection from sunlight
“My heifer has areas of hair loss with skin lesions.”
Ringworm Fungus (Dermatophytosis) fungus infection
direct contact to calves
circumscribed grayish lesions
located on the face and neck
calves should be separated and treated
Warts (Papillomatosis)
papilloma virus
transmitted to calves by direct contact
cauliflower-type growths
calves with warts should be isolated
warts dry and sluff
“During winter my heifer rubs her head, neck and shoulders”
Horn Fly Allergy (Allergic Dermatitis)
skin allergy
itch sensation
cattle rub from December through March
hair coat becomes sparse
reduce the horn fly population
“Occasionally my heifer is crippled on one foot.”
Foot Crack (Web Tear)
web of skin between the toes deeply cracked
damaged tissue must heal inside out
confined for a few weeks
Foot Rot (Necrotic Pododermatitis)
draining infection with a foul odor
hot, swollen and painful foot
bacteria in mud mixed with manure
segregated for proper treatment
corrections of the unsanitary conditions
“My heifer coughs, protrudes her tongue and breathes with her mouth open.”
Infectious Lung Disease (Pneumonia)
fever, coughing and labored breathing
head and neck are outstretched
tongue is protruding
several viruses in concert with various bacteria
Fog Fever (Pulmonary Emphysema and Edema)
fever is not present
coughing is minimal
respiratory distress is extensive
mouth breathing
extended tongue
drooling saliva
toxic reaction in the lungs
lush, green grass in spring or fall
handled with caution
cowherd should be moved from the lush pasture
“My heifer has a runny, snotty nose.”
Runny, Snotty Nose (Sinusitis)
nasal drainage
excess quantities of drainage from inflamed sinuses
extreme hot or cold temperatures
windy conditions
irritants and allergens
viral and bacterial infections
use of antibiotics is contraindicated
low-grade fever
absence of fever
“My heifer has the staggers, went down and is unable to rise.”
Polio (Polioencephalomalacia)
cows are thin
low protein, low roughage, and high sulfate diet
confined and fed a grain diet without roughage
“My heifer suddenly died that before dying was rapidly breathing, weak and feverish.” Lepto (Leptospirosis)
five serovars of bacteria
exposures to calves are from urine
fever, rapid and difficult breathing
Blackleg (Clostridial Disease)
bacterial toxins (poisons)
spores from the soil
spores are ingested
go to muscles and remain dormant
a trigger breaks them out of dormancy
dead calves should be burned
7-way blackleg vaccine vaccination of the whole herd
“My heifer is rapidly breathing, weak, feverish, and scouring.”
Scours (Enteritis-Colitis Septicemia)
ground becomes heavily contaminated with germs from manure
kill baby calves from scours by dehydration and septicemia
scours are caused by bacteria, viruses, and protozoa in the intestines