On-Call / Vet

Spring calving season is just around the corner. This also means calving problems and the need to intervene and assist in the delivery of the calf. While this may seem a straightforward procedure, many things can make for a more difficult and less successful outcome. Here are several mistakes made before, during and after calving that can lead to problems for the calf and the cow.

While dealing with the ice and cold weather I have noticed our nutrition gurus are looking more and more 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.

Over the past several weeks I have had numerous questions regarding the safety of Johnson grass as a forage or for hay. The extremely, hot and dry summer left many pastures short and several producers feeding hay as we approach fall. Johnson grass is a plant that tends to grow and proliferate during periods of heat and drought when other grasses fail to grow. As a result many pastures have an abundance of Johnson grass this year in comparison to other forages and during periods when feedstuffs are in short supply, producers naturally consider grazing or haying the Johnson grass. However, under the right conditions Johnson grass can accumulate high levels of nitrate and/or prussic acid and become highly toxic to livestock.

Bloat is a condition that occurs when an excess amount of fermentation gasses become trapped within the rumen of an animal. This condition can occur in any ruminant species including beef and dairy cattle, sheep and goats. Bloat can occur very rapidly and can quickly become a life-threatening condition if not treated. There can be many different causes for bloat and the appropriate treatment is based on determining the underlying cause.

Over the past few weeks our clinic has seen a couple of cases of classic anaplasmosis. Anaplasmosis is a clinical condition primarily recognized in cattle caused by the organism anaplasma marginale. This organism acts as a parasite to the red blood cell of the animal resulting in destruction of circulating red blood cells and rapid onset of severe anemia. This condition can produce acute death in cattle and is a complex disease in regards to effective treatment and prevention strategies.

With the first frost of the year right around the corner, fall poses an excellent time of year to discuss the Bot fly, its impact on the horse and best means of control.

Implanting calves with growth promoting implants is one of the most profitable practices for cattle producers. Unfortunately, my experience suggests that many local producers are simply not taking advantage of growth promoting implants in their calves. This could be due in part to a lack of familiarity with implants and their appropriate use or potentially, a deficiency in management strategy necessary to realize benefits.