Designed to make the Beef Quality Assurance manual more user friendly, new print and digital versions have been developed to make the information more user friendly. The digital guide contains embedded links and videos that allow producers to interact with various BQA elements.” Source: BEEF, July 2020. Link. To learn more visit bqa.org … [Read more...]
BVD tears at dairy profits
Complimentary commercial content from Zoetis Bovine Viral Diarrhea is a disease issue in cattle worldwide. It is like a shadow in herds that robs production and herd health. BVD can be controlled with diligent management steps revolving around testing, culling, vaccination and farm biosecurity. . . . often BVD is a subclinical disease, and its symptoms get lost amid the … [Read more...]
Rabies reported in cattle in 3 states
Considered rare, five rabies cases in cattle have been reported in three states. Rhonda Brooks shares information about historic incidences in cattle, rabies forms and protecting livestock. In the U.S., several distinct rabies virus variants have been identified in terrestrial mammals, including raccoons, skunks and foxes. In addition to these reservoirs, multiple species of … [Read more...]
Intranasal vaccination for dairy, beef calves
One way to reduce the effects of maternal antibody interference is to use intranasal vaccines, writes Jennifer Ryan. Colostrum received by young dairy calves can interfere with injectable vaccines. However, intranasal vaccines tend to work with colostrum. Beef calves are often worked first at branding, a stressful period where cortisol weakens blood cells. Intranasal works here … [Read more...]
Equine herpesviruses, we’re still learning
EHV-1 and EHV-4 are alphaherpesviruses that generally bring to mind respiratory disease, abortion and neurologic disease. Horses are also hosts of EHV-3, an alphaherpesvirus that causes equine coital exanthema. Kate L. Hepworth-Warren, DVM, DACVIM, reminds us of the often forgotten EHV-2 and EHV-5, gammaherpesviruses are quite prevalent in the equine population, as well. … [Read more...]
Recent trending headlines from BEEF
BEEF offers a quick review of trending headlines from the last three weeks. Topics include: Improving returns on calves Dealing with environmental idiots The value of reproduction rates Proper timing is crucial for calfhood vaccinations Let calves grow or not? Source: BEEF, May 11, 2020. Link. Source: BEEF, April 27, 2020. Link. For a laugh see: … [Read more...]
Keep the value of your vaccine dollars
Producers cannot afford to overlook the importance of how they store vaccines and handle them prior to injection, states Glenn Selk, PhD Biological products should be stored under refrigeration at 35⁰F to 45⁰F unless the nature of the product makes storing at a different temperature advisable (APHIS 2007). Producers cannot afford to overlook the importance of how they store … [Read more...]
We don’t know what normalcy will be
No one can say what a return to normalcy will look like, how long it will take to get there or if normal like 2019 is even achievable. New York Times Emily Bazelon moderated a panel discussion to seek answers and weigh morality. Five experts talked about the principles and values that will determine the choices. SOURCE: New York Times, April 10, 2020. Link. In the longer … [Read more...]
Clostridial disease protection important for cows and calves
Clostridial diseases can be lethal for dairy cattle. Stress, injuries and changes in feeding practices increase chances of death. Vaccination and sound management practices can prevent most common clostridial diseases for cows and calves. Source: DAIRYBUSINESS, March 13, 2020. Link. A solid strategy in preventing a clostridial outbreak in calves, prior to their vaccination, … [Read more...]
Rabies vaccinations essential! Lyme, Lepto, FELV situational.
Michael J. Watts, DVM speaks to vaccinations and their essential status during the pandemic. His comments about rabies vaccines are spot on. Backyard pets frequently encounter wildlife, so leptospirosis, Lyme and feline leukemia vaccines may be essential for some pets. Kennel cough vaccines are important to keep current for pets being boarded. Source: Culpeper Star-Exponent, … [Read more...]
Trichomoniasis testing essential
Testing for trichomoniasis, or trich, is essential to help ensure herd health and profitability. The bovine venereal disease lives in the epithelial of the penis and prepuce and is considered a lifelong infection in bulls. Infected bulls transmit trich to most females they service. Cows can clear the disease but will abort calves or become infertile. Trich is easily transmitted … [Read more...]
Puppies!!!!!! Celebrate National Puppy Day any day you want
Last Monday was National Puppy Day. It was created to highlight puppies that need adopting and abuse in puppy mills. Kudos to The Atlantic for capturing the day and making it available for us to enjoy. Take a few minutes, view the photos FULL SCREEN and smile BIG. Source: The Atlantic, March 23, 2020. Link. When so much of the world is focused on stories that can create … [Read more...]
Limit the spread of canine influenza during an outbreak
Jarod M. Hanson, DVM, DACVPM, discusses canine influenza virus outbreaks and methods that help in reduce its spread. The outbreaks were due to multiple virus introductions associated with the importation of rescue dogs from Asia. The use of contact tracing and longitudinal sampling, coupled with a 28-day quarantine period helped reduce the spread. Source: Clinician’s Brief, … [Read more...]
Vaccination key to managing BRD
Multiple factors contribute to bovine respiratory disease and no single management plan works for all operations. History of the cattle, how they are handled, nutrition and vaccination are critical to keep BRD in check. So are testing and parasite management. DVMs Oliver Irons and Daniel Cummings offer a thorough review of how to prevent BRD and how to treat it, if … [Read more...]
Spring checklist for horse owners
Sponsored Content Ben Franklin’s well known axiom, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” describes the checklist for equine enthusiasts eager to participate in first big trail ride, show or clinic of the season. Dee McVicker and Christine Barakat offer five areas for horse owners as a pre-season checklist: Health status Weight Fitness Transport … [Read more...]
AAFP recently updated feline retrovirus guidelines
The guidelines panel determined there was a need to improve compliance with testing and vaccination recommendations in cats. The 2020 guidelines < link > are first official update to the document in 12 years. One objective was to ensure the new guidelines enabled practical use for all veterinarians. The 32-page illustrated document offers new information about feline … [Read more...]
Needle technology advancing quickly
Alternatives to traditional hypodermic needles are improving rapidly, says Mark Wilson. He shares some of the advancements being developed for the human marketplace. These will interest some animal health pros. Now if the world of science could just do something about people’s irrational fear of vaccines, we’d really have something.” – Mark Wilson Source: Fast Company, … [Read more...]
PRRS made swine industry better
PRRS remains the number-one cause of economic impact in the U.S. swine industry. First described in the U.S. in the late 1980s < link >, PRRS has challenged swine veterinarians and producers to improvement all management practices. In addition to biosecurity advancements, PRRS made the swine industry better in five ways: Improved communication Fostered … [Read more...]
Delaying on-arrival vaccination may reduce morbidity, mortality
Vaccine labels all contain verbiage like, “. . . is indicated for vaccination of healthy cattle as an aid in the prevention of disease caused by . . .” For years veterinarians have recommended vaccination against respiratory viruses during initial processing of high-risk cattle on arrival to the feedlot or background operation. New research indicates it may be better to … [Read more...]
The dog park is no place to socialize a puppy
Dog parks may seem like great additions to the community, but they’re rife with problems for you, and for your dog writes Sassafras Lowrey. She offers things to know and consider before heading to the dog park. Dog parks are not a safe place to socialize a puppy under 6-12 months old.” Nik Hof Source: New York Times, February 6, 2020. Link. Having your dog in a dog park … [Read more...]
Best hiking dog breeds and activities to share
Media advertising and images consistently weave in images of pets. Articles from an outdoor company share information about dog breeds suited for hiking and ideas about where to go play together. We noted there was no reference to disease protection or injury prevention in either article. Source: Best Dog Breeds for Hiking, The Outdoor Wear, December 11, 2019. … [Read more...]
Why do some vaccinated horses still get sick? (podcast)
Elizabeth Davis, DVM, explains how vaccines prime the immune system and why some horses might still get sick. The idea of vaccination is intended to provide, in a very safe way and at a small level of exposure to the immune system, so that on future exposure to the immune system at the time of disease challenge, that the horse is is protected. Source: The Horse, October 22, … [Read more...]
Favorite equine posts
A horse is a horse, of course, of course, And no one can talk to a horse of course That is, of course, unless the horse is the famous Mr. Ed < link >. A lot has changed since Mr. Ed, the TV program about the talking horse, ran in the 1950s and 1960s. < … [Read more...]
BRSV still relevant and compromising
A good preventive care plan includes vaccinating both cows and calves for bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) because it is endemic in the United States. While rarely fatal on its own, BRSV weakens the immune system, often allowing for a secondary bacterial infection that results in pneumonia. BRSV is a factor considered part of bovine respiratory disease (BRD). The … [Read more...]
24 years, 25 million cattle prove what affects prices
The biggest value-added protocol in calf health is weaning, not vaccination. This, according to 24 years of big data generated from 25,000 million cattle by Superior Livestock Auction. Ken Odde, Kansas State University animal science professor, revealed which calf health programs, premiums and genetic breeds have on prices during the recent National Red Angus Conference. . . . … [Read more...]
Leptospirosis continuing education
Most mammals are susceptible to infection, writes Ashley DiPrete, RVT, VTS, (SAIM). As humans expand their environmental footprint, encroachment on wildlife becomes a greater issue, and people, pets and wild animal reservoir hosts cross one another’s paths more frequently. The importance of leptospirosis sp. is underscored by its status as the most prevalent zoonotic disease … [Read more...]
Turning the corner on FIP (podcast)
Niels Pedersen, BS, DVM, PhD, has made solving feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) a career goal. Steve Dale spoke with Pedersen recently on Dale's Pet World radio show. They discuss the latest about FIP. Source: Steve Dale Pet World, October 18, 2019. Link. Pedersen shares how departing from vaccine research to take advantage of anti-viral drugs has resulted in promising … [Read more...]
PRRS season is here
Porcine Respiratory and Reproductive Syndrome (PRRS) virus has a reputation for infecting swine herds more frequently during the fall, winter and spring, writes Adam Schelkopf, DVM. He discusses two primary benefits of using a modified-live virus PRRS vaccine: Growing pig performance Controlling viral spread in a neighborhood Source: PORK, October 21, 2019. Link. … [Read more...]
More vaccine options create more confusion
As we learn more about diseases, vaccine technology continues to evolve. Subunit vaccines, recombinant vectored vaccines and DNA vaccines are examples of new DIVA (differentiating infected from vaccinated animals) vaccines. JoAnna Pendergrass, DVM, shares an update on vaccinology from a presentation by Laurel Gershwin, DVM, PhD, DACVM. Gershwin covered the following topics: … [Read more...]
Pinkeye in cattle poses challenges more than 100 years after arrival
Pinkeye was first identified in the U.S. in the 1890s. Face flies, sometimes thought to cause it, entered this country from Nova Scotia in 1952. “M. bovis tends to be just in the conjunctiva in the lubricating fluid. Unless there is trauma to the eye, the bacteria can’t bind to the cornea,” says Annette O’Connor, DVM. Some of the things suspected of causing trauma include … [Read more...]