On Call
If you’ve been in the cattle business long you have probably heard of the downer cow syndrome, or chances are, have had a downer cow of your own. This is a very common presentation and vets frequently get called out to examine cows that, for any number of reasons, are down and cannot get up. There is some irony in this condition as the apparent superficial problem is quiet easy to identify – the cow’s inability to rise. However, identifying the underlying cause for her apparent problem can be challenging and complex, hence the term, downer cow ‘syndrome’.
On Call
Calf death and disease in the first couple of months post-calving is a significant source of lost production for many operations. The latest information on the subject suggests that neonatal calf health is by and large an issue of management. I'll discuss three topics of primary importance.
On Call
On Call
It is breeding season once again and we often get the question, “will heat synchronization work in heifers?” Heat synchronization will work, but before we say yes, I like to look at each individual case and see if the producer has the time and facilities to do so. Some producers want to do large numbers, other may only have a few cows, and so each case must be assessed differently.
On Call
On Call
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.
On Call
On Call
Pinkeye is a costly disease to cattle owners and at this time of year, cattlemen seem to see the largest amount of affected animals.
On Call
