Recognizing and Managing Common Health Problems of Replacement Show Heifers

Floron C. Faries, Jr., DVM, MS

Professor and Extension Program Leader

Texas AgriLife Extension Service

Texas A&M System

College Station, TX 77843

http://extensionvetmed.tamu.edu

“My heifer’s eyes are cloudy and runny.”

Pink Eye

bacterial disease

excessive flow of tears

holding the eye partially closed

rubbing the eye

seeking shaded areas

ulcer develops

cornea becomes cloudy

immediate treatment

isolation of infected cattle

IBR Virus Eye (Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis)

aerosol transmission of this virus

may develop cloudy cornea

no ulceration

isolation of affected animals

vaccination of the whole herd

Cancer Eye (Squamous Cell Carcinoma) smooth plaques on the eyeball

ulcer or horn lesions on the eyelids

excessive flow of tears

heating or freezing therapies

surgical removal

eyeball and eyelids removal

Photo Eye (Photosensitization)

hypersensitivity to sunlight

cloudiness of the cornea

non-pigmented tissues

sunburned

protection from sunlight

“My heifer has areas of hair loss with skin lesions.”

Ringworm Fungus (Dermatophytosis) fungus infection

direct contact to calves

circumscribed grayish lesions

located on the face and neck

calves should be separated and treated

Warts (Papillomatosis)

papilloma virus

transmitted to calves by direct contact

cauliflower-type growths

calves with warts should be isolated

warts dry and sluff

“During winter my heifer rubs her head, neck and shoulders”

Horn Fly Allergy (Allergic Dermatitis)

skin allergy

itch sensation

cattle rub from December through March

hair coat becomes sparse

reduce the horn fly population

“Occasionally my heifer is crippled on one foot.”

Foot Crack (Web Tear)

web of skin between the toes deeply cracked

damaged tissue must heal inside out

confined for a few weeks

Foot Rot (Necrotic Pododermatitis)

draining infection with a foul odor

hot, swollen and painful foot

bacteria in mud mixed with manure

segregated for proper treatment

corrections of the unsanitary conditions

“My heifer coughs, protrudes her tongue and breathes with her mouth open.”

Infectious Lung Disease (Pneumonia)

fever, coughing and labored breathing

head and neck are outstretched

tongue is protruding

several viruses in concert with various bacteria

predisposing stress factors

isolated for treatment

vaccination plan for whole herd

Fog Fever (Pulmonary Emphysema and Edema)

fever is not present

coughing is minimal

respiratory distress is extensive

mouth breathing

extended tongue

drooling saliva

toxic reaction in the lungs

lush, green grass in spring or fall

handled with caution

cowherd should be moved from the lush pasture

“My heifer has a runny, snotty nose.”

Runny, Snotty Nose (Sinusitis)

nasal drainage

excess quantities of drainage from inflamed sinuses

extreme hot or cold temperatures

windy conditions

irritants and allergens

viral and bacterial infections

use of antibiotics is contraindicated

low-grade fever

absence of fever

“My heifer has the staggers, went down and is unable to rise.”

Polio (Polioencephalomalacia)

cows are thin

low protein, low roughage, and high sulfate diet

confined and fed a grain diet without roughage

downer cow attempts to stand

ankles remain flexed or knuckled over

immediate treatment

“My heifer suddenly died that before dying was rapidly breathing, weak and feverish.” Lepto (Leptospirosis)

five serovars of bacteria

exposures to calves are from urine

fever, rapid and difficult breathing

kill unborn calves and nursing calves

vaccination of whole herd

vaccine failures may occur

Blackleg (Clostridial Disease)

bacterial toxins (poisons)

spores from the soil

spores are ingested

go to muscles and remain dormant

a trigger breaks them out of dormancy

dead calves should be burned

7-way blackleg vaccine vaccination of the whole herd

“My heifer is rapidly breathing, weak, feverish, and scouring.”

Scours (Enteritis-Colitis Septicemia)

ground becomes heavily contaminated with germs from manure

kill baby calves from scours by dehydration and septicemia

scours are caused by bacteria, viruses, and protozoa in the intestines

rotovirus and coronovirus

E. coli and C. perfringens B, C, D

cryptosporidia and coccidia

provide clean maternity areas

vaccination program for the whole herd