Animal Health Management and Disease Prevention

Mortality

death loss - obvious economic loss

Morbidity

sickness - lower production and higher production costs; even more of an economic loss

Noninfectious disease

results from injury, genetic abnormalities, poor nutrition, etc.

Infectious disease

caused by microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and protozoa

Contagious

if it spreads rapidly from one animal to another

Immunity

process by which particles foreign to the body are identified and destroyed or metabolized

Natural (native) immunity

present at birth (skin, secretions, acidic stomach)

Acquired resistance

activated when body encounters foreign substances, involves lymphocytes

Passive immunity

receive from colostrum

Active immunity

attained when the individual can initiate its own antibody production against specific invasive antigens

Whole herd management

necessary for effective health-related loss prevention

Veterinarian-assisted planning

involves a vet familiar with disease and health problems common in that particular region

Sanitation

can affect severity and susceptibility of diseases

Sound nutritional management

important for maintaining a strong immune system in animals

Record keeping

involves maintaining records of disease incidences, treatment, and health protocols

Physical facilities

can cause physical injury or stress and could spread pathogens

Source of livestock

involves purchasing animals from producers with effective herd health-management programs

Biosecurity

practices to prevent disease transmission between farms

Proper use of biologics and pharmaceuticals

involves administering appropriate health products to livestock

Minimization of stress

important for maintaining animal health and productivity

Personnel training

ensures staff are knowledgeable about health management practices

Biosecurity

Most important when animals are intensively managed OR when a marketing strategy is dependent on requirements.

Swine and poultry

Species particularly emphasized in biosecurity measures.

Verification of sources of animals

Ensures herd health management.

Serological testing

Antibodies test used in health management.

Treatment and vaccination protocols

Guidelines for administering health interventions.

Monitoring incidence of disease

Tracking disease occurrences in a population.

Record keeping

Maintaining documentation of health and management practices.

Isolation facilities

Required when outside animals are brought into an operation.

Biologicals

Used primarily to prevent disease.

Pharmaceuticals

Used mainly to treat disease.

Vaccines

Biologics used to stimulate active immunity.

Passive immunity

Immunity passed from dam to offspring.

Administration methods for biologicals and pharmaceuticals

Includes topical, oral, injection, subcutaneous, intramuscular, intravenous, intramammary, intraperitoneal, intrauterine, and intranasal.

Stress

Any environmental factor causing significant change in the animal's physiological processes.

Prolonged stress

Can impair the immune system and should be minimized.

Personnel training

Must be consistent and ongoing for effective animal management.

Detecting unhealthy animals

Visual detection is usually the first step in identifying health issues.

Vital signs

Include body temperature, respiration rate, heart rate, gut sounds, ease of respiration, capillary refill rates, and coloration of eye.

Quality assurance

Programs designed to help producers improve management practices, record keeping, and personnel training.

Best practices in quality assurance

Include a valid client-patient relationship with a vet, effective herd health plan, responsible use of antimicrobials, and proper feed storage.

Health problems

Evident when one or more vital signs deviate from the normal range.

Mortality and morbidity rates

Minimized in an excellent herd health management program.

Implementation of quality assurance programs

Key to increased profitability and improved consumer confidence in animal agriculture products.