This last week I have had two calls about cattlemen losing animals. This is not that uncommon, but when an animal dies, you have lost all chance of profit from that animal.
The first case was about cows slipping late term fetuses. This is a late term abortion. There are a lot of reasons for a cow to abort, problems from infectious to traumatic, to genetic. When we have good samples, the fetus, the placenta and blood from the mother, our labs still only find a definitive cause for about 40 percent of the cases turned in. This is not very good odds. What really helps is a detailed history and records for the herd.
In this case, the cows were aborting late term calves. Most of them had eye lashes and/or part of their hair. If a calf is aborted at six months of gestation, they will be hairless, but have eye lashes. They get their hair in the last trimester.
After visiting with the owners, I asked what vaccines were being used and when were they given last. The answer was no vaccinations have ever been given. This information leads me to two different diseases, Brucellosis or Leptosporosis. By knowing the cattle I ruled out Brucellosis, that and also knowing that Arkansas is a class-free state for Brucellosis. This leaves Lepto as the No. 1 option.
The aborted fetuses had already been disposed of, so with no chance for any samples, I have to go with my No. 1, Leptosporosis. When in a situation like this, the only thing to do is to vaccinate the herd. I choose to vaccinate the herd with a killed vaccine for virals, IBR, BVD, PI3, and BRSV. This vaccine also has a 5-way lepto bacterin with lepto Hardjo. Lepto Hardjo is the main variety of lepto causing problems in the United States. I also vaccinated every animal with a 7-way Blackleg with Pinkeye in it. This herd will have to booster the virals and lepto vaccine in two to four weeks to confer immunity that will last for longer than six to eight weeks. From now on, this herd will need vaccinations every six months.
The other case was a post-mortem examination on a 350 to 400 pound heifer calf. The results showed Blackleg. The owner admitted that he hadn’t gotten them vaccinated yet. I recommended him getting them vaccinated at least for Blackleg this weekend. And if he used any Blackleg vaccine besides the one I recommend they would need a booster in two to four weeks. There are two Blackleg vaccines on the market that do not have to be boostered in two to four weeks. Please, read the fine print on your Blackleg bottle.
Both of these cases are very unfortunate, but they can be avoided by vaccination. As far as cost, if one calf costs $500, how many head can you vaccinate for that price?
Dr. Tim O'Neill owns Country Veterinary Clinic in Farmington, Ark.
