Download Recognizing and Managing Common Health Problems of Beef Cattle

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

ulcer develops

cornea becomes cloudy

immediate treatment

isolation of infected cattle
 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

predisposing stress factors

isolated for treatment

vaccination plan for whole herd
 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

downer cow attempts to stand

ankles remain flexed or knuckled over

immediate treatment
“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

kill unborn calves and nursing calves

vaccination of whole herd

vaccine failures may occur
 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

rotovirus and coronovirus

E. coli and C. perfringens B, C, D

cryptosporidia and coccidia

provide clean maternity areas

vaccination program for the whole herd