On-Call / Vet

Most horse owners I know have at least one "easy keeper". These horses seem to require very little in terms of nutrition to maintain their body condition. Often the battle is in keeping them from becoming obese and horse owners go to great lengths, even what seems like near starvation to prevent these "easy keepers" from getting fat. As with all species, unchecked obesity comes with great health risks and for horses, Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) is a condition not too uncommon for the overweight horse.

While dealing with the ice and cold weather I have noticed our nutrition gurus are looking more and moiré into balancing rations of essential amino acids instead of protein. I ask the question “Is their requirement of protein for animals in their diet?” Actually “NO.” Animals must have the 10 essential amino acids and cats require 11 amino acids.

Recently in southwest Missouri we have seen an increase in number of herds affected with Trichomoniasis. This disease is a reproductive nightmare. It can be devastating to the owner. Reducing the calf crop and eliminating any significant income for that herd.

Recently the West Nile virus has been in the news. This year has provided excellent conditions for the virus to be seen. Thirty-two states have reported human cases. Most of the cases are occurring through Texas, Mississippi and Louisiana. Missouri has had 2 cases occurring in horses.  

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.

In the last issue we discussed pinkeye as a major cause of disease in cattle during the summer months. Another problem that frequently presents itself in my chute during the summer is foot rot. I have seen numerous cases of foot rot in cattle this summer already. The disease is caused primarily by a bacterium called Fusobacterium necrophorum and is a significant cause of lameness in cattle – beef and dairy alike. Like pinkeye, mortality from the disease is generally absent but morbidity can get high with up to 25 percent of the herd affected in severe outbreaks. Foot rot can be a significant source of lost production. Cows that are lame from foot rot tend to lie around, eat less and produce less milk. Whether that milk is going into the bulk tank or into the calf, less milk means less money to the producer. Additionally, treatment costs and the occasional animal with unresolving lameness represent further economic loss due to the disease.

We are currently seeing an increase in rabies cases in our state. For several years we have been told by health officials that we should expect an increase in rabies cases as the virus moves north from Mexico. Since there is a significant health risk to humans, we need to be aware of what is happening. Rabies in humans is close to 100 percent fatal.

Arguably the most significant health concern regarding dairy production is that of mastitis. By definition, mastitis is inflammation of the mammary gland of the cow. This inflammation is typically a result of invasion and infection of the mammary gland by bacterial organisms. When considering the strategic treatment and prevention of mastitis, bacterial organisms are commonly divided into two groups: contagious and environmental pathogens.

While driving cross country in between calls I have noticed from the road a few cattle beginning to show evidence of lice infestation. Cattle, horses, sheep, goats and swine are all susceptible to parasitism from lice. Interestingly enough, lice are species specific meaning that there is a particular species of louse that prefers feeding on a specific species of livestock. Furthermore, in each species of livestock there are two types of lice that may be observed. Biting lice feed on dead skin cells and other debris from the surface of the skin. Sucking lice feed off of the blood. All species and types of lice cause skin irritation and in rare instances sucking lice may cause significant anemia.

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.