Recognizing and Managing Common Health Problems of Replacement

Recognizing and Managing Common Health Problems of Replacement Show Heifers Floron C. Faries, Jr. , DVM, MS Professor and Extension Program Leader Texas Agri. Life Extension Service Texas A&M System College Station, TX 77843 http: //extensionvetmed. tamu. edu

“My heifer’s eyes are cloudy and runny. ” n Pink Eye n bacterial disease n excessive flow of tears n holding the eye partially closed n rubbing the eye n seeking shaded areas

n ulcer develops n cornea becomes cloudy n immediate treatment n isolation of infected cattle

n IBR Virus Eye (Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis) n aerosol transmission of this virus n may develop cloudy cornea n no ulceration n isolation of affected animals n vaccination of the whole herd

n Cancer Eye (Squamous Cell Carcinoma) n smooth plaques on the eyeball n ulcer or horn lesions on the eyelids n excessive flow of tears n heating or freezing therapies n surgical removal n eyeball and eyelids removal

n Photo Eye (Photosensitization) n hypersensitivity to sunlight n cloudiness of the cornea n non-pigmented tissues n sunburned n protection from sunlight

“My heifer has areas of hair loss with skin lesions. ” n Ringworm Fungus (Dermatophytosis) n fungus infection n direct contact to calves n circumscribed grayish lesions n located on the face and neck n calves should be separated and treated

n Warts (Papillomatosis) n papilloma virus n transmitted to calves by direct contact n cauliflower-type growths n calves with warts should be isolated n warts dry and sluff

“During winter my heifer rubs her head, neck and shoulders” n Horn Fly Allergy (Allergic Dermatitis) n skin allergy n itch sensation n cattle rub from December through March n hair coat becomes sparse n reduce the horn fly population

“Occasionally my heifer is crippled on one foot. ” n Foot Crack (Web Tear) n web of skin between the toes deeply cracked n damaged tissue must heal inside out n confined for a few weeks

n Foot Rot (Necrotic Pododermatitis) n draining infection with a foul odor n hot, swollen and painful foot n bacteria in mud mixed with manure n segregated for proper treatment n corrections of the unsanitary conditions

“My heifer coughs, protrudes her tongue and breathes with her mouth open. ” n Infectious Lung Disease (Pneumonia) n fever, coughing and labored breathing n head and neck are outstretched n tongue is protruding n several viruses in concert with various bacteria

n predisposing stress factors n isolated for treatment n vaccination plan for whole herd

n Fog Fever (Pulmonary Emphysema and Edema) n fever is not present n coughing is minimal n respiratory distress is extensive n mouth breathing n extended tongue

n drooling saliva n toxic reaction in the lungs n lush, green grass in spring or fall n handled with caution n cowherd should be moved from the lush pasture

“My heifer has a runny, snotty nose. ” n Runny, Snotty Nose (Sinusitis) n nasal drainage n excess quantities of drainage from inflamed sinuses n extreme hot or cold temperatures n windy conditions n irritants and allergens

n viral and bacterial infections n use of antibiotics is contraindicated n low-grade fever n absence of fever

“My heifer has the staggers, went down and is unable to rise. ” n Polio (Polioencephalomalacia) n cows are thin n low protein, low roughage, and high sulfate diet n confined and fed a grain diet without roughage

n downer cow attempts to stand n ankles remain flexed or knuckled over n immediate treatment

“My heifer suddenly died that before dying was rapidly breathing, weak and feverish. ” n Lepto (Leptospirosis) n five serovars of bacteria n exposures to calves are from urine n fever, rapid and difficult breathing

n kill unborn calves and nursing calves n vaccination of whole herd n vaccine failures may occur

n Blackleg (Clostridial Disease) n bacterial toxins (poisons) n spores from the soil n spores are ingested n go to muscles and remain dormant

n a trigger breaks them out of dormancy n dead calves should be burned 7 -way blackleg vaccine n vaccination of the whole herd n

“My heifer is rapidly breathing, weak, feverish, and scouring. ” n Scours (Enteritis-Colitis Septicemia) n ground becomes heavily contaminated with germs from manure n kill baby calves from scours by dehydration and septicemia n scours are caused by bacteria, viruses, and protozoa in the intestines

n rotovirus and coronovirus n E. coli and C. perfringens B, C, D n cryptosporidia and coccidia n provide clean maternity areas n vaccination program for the whole herd