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DISEASES AFFECTING FEEDLOT CATTLE
MUHAMMAD JAMSHED KHAN Bahauddin
Zakariya University Multan
DISEASES AFFECTING FEEDLOT CATTLE
MUHAMMAD JAMSHED KHAN
Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan
Feedlots are the open ranges or pastures which are developed for the rearing of livestock. For this purpose
cattle are purchased and put into paddocks with improved pasture and supplemented with grain from bins.
This slowly introduces the cattle to the grain over a 2-3 week period before being put into the feedlot pens.
Once in the feedlot pens they are fed mainly grain with sorghum rolls as roughage.
Criteria for selecting cattle for Feedlots
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Animals should be healthy
Disease free
Horns should be removed (to prevent goring)
Of same age and size
Males should be castrated
With no notable injuries
Preferably quiet/easy to handle
Breeds that gain weight easily
Different diseases are more prevalent in feedlot cattle. Due to these diseases, the performance of the animals
is affected adversely. These diseases are;
1. ACIDOSIS (grain poisoning-feed related)
Animals suffering from Acidosis show signs of the following:
Grinding of teeth, Off their food, Obvious discomfort/pain, Disinclined to move about, Bloating (not all
cases) + sometimes laminitis, Kicking at the belly and Scouring (usually a light colored smelly faeces)
Death can occur in 12-72 hours unless treated. Acidosis is caused by too much grain being eaten too quickly.
This causes a build up of lactic acid in the rumen. Introduction to new rations (grain) should be done in a
slow process of usually 7 days. Grain & roughage that is too finely milled can also cause Acidosis, and if
the animal is suffering from cold weather or stress this can compound the poisoning. Treatment for mild
cases of Acidosis is commonly to drench the animal with Sodium Bicarbonate (110g followed by 60 g every
8-10 hours for 24 hours). 0.5 litres of Paraffin or Vegetable Oil should be given an hour after the first
Sodium Bicarbonate treatment. If scouring hasn’t begun a purgative drench (E.G. 230g Epsom Salts) may be
administered. Disadvantages of using Sodium Bicarbonate is that too much can be administered causing the
Rumen to show a high PH level. Electrolyte treatment can be used to restore the balance in the rumen
during the recovery stage.
2. FOOTROT
Footrot is a contagious disease caused by the bacteria Dichelobactor nodosus. The disease thrives in warm,
moist conditions and will multiply rapidly. The bacteria can only survive away from the foot for 7 days and
will die quickly in drier conditions. Spread of the disease is mainly from foot to foot although vehicles,
goats and other cattle can act as carriers. Properties with moist pastures, laneways & muddy yards are prone
to footrot and spreading of the disease. Antibiotic treatment by a veterinarian can be used for treatment of
infected animals however prevention in a feedlot situation is the best solution. Feedlot yards should be kept
dry and clean where possible, with boggy or rough areas removed. Concrete areas should be kept excrement
free and hosed down with a high grade disinfectant on a regular basis if possible.
3. BOVINE RESPIRATORY DISEASE (unrelated to feed).
Symptoms of Bovine Respiratory Disease can vary in severity. Some cattle show mild signs whereas others
are just found dead. The following are some symptoms of BRD but not always are all present:
Animal is off their food
Nasal discharge
Fever
Depression
Coughing
Laboured breathing
Stress is also a significant contributing factor and cattle susceptible to BRD will show signs within the first 4
weeks of being introduced to a feedlot and new feed. Other diseases such as Infectious Bovine
Rhinotracheitis Virus (IBR) and Pestivirus as well as bacteria such as Pasteurella & Haemophilus can
contribute to BRD. Because a virus is usually followed by a viral infection a broad-spectrum antibiotic such
as Tetracyclines should be administered. With BRD all animals that have been treated will need to have
their treatment recorded for future sales. Also the withholding period will need to be adhered to for
slaughter. There are currently vaccines to prevent the outbreak & prevention of IBR & Pestivirus.