On-Call / Vet

The news has been full of information regarding influenza virus in recent months whether discussing the shortage of flu vaccines available for people, the spread of H1N1 or the more recent discussion of canine influenza. In this article, we are diverting a bit from livestock medicine to more of a companion animal topic, but I suspect that this topic may be of interest to most of our readers. In response to the recent media coverage I have begun to get questions regarding canine influenza, the signs of infection and need for vaccination.

Pneumonia is one of the most common respiratory problems encountered by sheep and goat producers. While pneumonia may be much less common a problem than other health concerns such as internal parasites, it can still cause significant losses in production and occasional death loss within any given herd. Occasionally, producers may experience an outbreak of disease that leads to numerous animals affected and severe losses. My experience suggests that summertime represents an increased number of cases in southwest Missouri.

I recently made a trip to the Missouri Humane Society farm in Union, Mo., to attend a continuing education course on equine dentistry. Veterinarians are becoming more knowledgeable on the subject of dentistry in horses and are developing more advanced equipment and techniques for the proper care of the teeth and oral cavity of the horse.

In the previous issue, we began a series on mastitis with a focus on contagious pathogens. In this issue, our focus will switch to the environmental pathogens and their identification, treatment and control.

Many times horse owners think that only old horses have teeth issues and eating problems are the only signs telling them that their horse has a problem. Over several years of looking at horse’s mouth I can only think of a hand full that did not need some type of dental maintenance.

As I begin writing this, the weather report is showing continued cold weather and some possibility for frozen precipitation. Winter season is upon us. By the time you read this, you have already turned bulls out to breed your fall herd, your spring calves are either already sold or waiting January markets, and your family is getting prepared for Christmas celebrations. But there are several things that livestock owners have to consider to maintain animal health during this time of year.

This is the time of year many area farmers are calving. Usually this time of year is not as cold as it has been this year. The weather definitely presents difficulties we don’t have when we calve in later spring and fall.

Someone I know recently became very sick with diarrhea, and was diagnosed with cryptosporidiosis. Cryptosporidiosis is caused by a protozoal parasite similar to coccidia.  This parasite causes diarrhea in calves that leads to untold millions in lost production in both the dairy and beef industries. Since this disease has zoonotic potential, that is, it can be transmitted from animals to people, I think a discussion of the disease and control measures is needed.

Watch for acorn toxicosis this fall.

It is the time of year when cattle are seen rubbing on trees, fence post, feeders or anything they can. They will rub until the skin becomes raw, thick and irritated and often the cause for this is lice. It costs cattle producers millions of dollars in losses each year. They are biting the lice, which live on their skin and hair. These are a sucking lice. Sucking lice tend to cause anemia, which will cause the immune system to become weaker leading to other illnesses. The lice will cause a decrease in weight gain and in milk production, and this will lead to an increase in feed costs and cause you to treat other issues resulting in less profit.