Ruminants

Handling tools

should be considered an extension of your arm

minimize use of electric prods

do not whip, hit or kick or prod cattle with sharp or solid obects

Abuse of cattle is not acceptable under any conditions

Routine procedures

Vaccination

Deworming

Castration

Fly, Lice and tick control

How to recongize disease

know or learn what normal is

Normal cattle temp + adnormal temp areas

100.5-102.5

Possible area for > 104: Lungs (Pneumonia), udder (mastitis) and uterus (metritis)

Pneumonia signs

Depression

Appetite

Respiratory Index

Temperature

Blackleg

Infectious non-contagious disease of cattle and sheep characterized by muscle necrosis

Cause: Clostridium chauvoei

Source of infection: Soil + manure

Can be prevented through vaccination in the neck (infront of the shoulder)

Bovine viral diarrhea

Clincal: Fever, respiratory, Diahhrea, Death, abortion, fertility

Subclinical: Mild ilness, affect pregnancy

Testing for BVD

Ear notching

G.I diseases

Scours (diarrhea)

Parasites

Enterotoxemia

Bloat

Acidosis

Scours prevention

Remove source of infection

• surface water

• calving barns/sheds/hay bale feeder

• people

Rotate feeding areas

goal is clean teats for calf to nurse

can vaccinate

Tetanus

• found down not dead

• can be prevented with vaccination, need 2 weeks to have some immuntiy

Animal disorder on pasture

Bloat

Nitrate Toxicity

Cyanid/prussic acid toxicity

poisonous plants

Clostridial Diseases

over eating disease

most crtiical for farms which feed alot of grain

not as effective in goats

Vaccination programs for Kids/Lambs

1. Vaccinate at approzimaely 8 weeks of age

2. Booster at 12 weeks

3. Vaccinate earlier if dams were not vaccinated

4. Use Tetanus antitozin at the time of castration or disbudding if dam was not vaccinated

Vaccination programs for Does + Ewes and Bucks, Rams and wethers

Does + Ewes: vaccinate 1-2 motnhs prior to kidding. 2 doses are nessessary the first time an animal is vaccinated

Bucks, Rams and wethers: vaccinate annualy

Site of administration for goats

Close to neck for quality assurance

Under front legs for show or purebred

Procedures for sheep + goats

Castration:

Disbudding: No horns

Shearing:

Crutching: Decrease fecal contamination of udder

Tail docking in lambs: Approraite length should cover anus

Goats + Sheep diet

Goats are browsers

Sheep are grazers

Famacha CPPR

Cover the eye with lid

Push eye gently inward

Pull down lower the eyelid

Read: Assess color of mucous membrane of lower eyelid using chart

Urinary Calculi classic and mild signs

Classic signs: Straining, Vocalizing, Urine dribbling

less ovbious signs: depression, off-feed, mild bloat

Prevention of Urolithiasis

Roughage-based diet (avoid alfalfa)

Limited to no concentrates

Alternative food or treats

Genetics

Which bacteria cause blackleg in cattle and sheep?

Clostridium chauvoei

Which disease in small ruminants is caused by Clostridium perfringens types C and D?

Enterotoxemia (Overeating disease)

What is the normal rectal temperature range for cattle?

100.5–102.5°F

Which zoonotic disease is mainly transmitted through birthing fluids?

Q fever (Coxiella burnetii)

Which of the following is primarily responsible for causing scours in young calves at 1–2 weeks of age?

Rotavirus

Which of the following is a zoonotic pathogen that can be transmitted through unpasteurized milk?

Listeria

What should be administered during band castration of goats if the dam was not vaccinated?

Tetanus antitoxin

Which mineral deficiency in ruminants can cause white muscle disease?

Selenium

Which parasite is most commonly associated with severe anemia in sheep and goats?

Haemonchus contortus

Why are goats more prone to urinary calculi when fed high-concentrate diets?

Excess phosphorus contributes to the formation of struvite crystals

How does flight zone behavior benefit cattle handling?

Reduces stress and promotes safety

Why are goats considered browsers while sheep are grazers?

Goats prefer shrubs and trees; sheep prefer grasses

Why should producers isolate new goats or sheep for 30 days before mixing them with the herd?

To prevent disease introduction

Which vaccine is considered core for small ruminant flocks?

CD-T

What is the typical clinical sign of urinary calculi in male goats?

Straining and urine dribbling

You are called to a farm with sudden deaths in 6-month-old calves with muscle necrosis and gas bubbles—what is your immediate action plan?

Vaccinate the herd with a 7-way Clostridial vaccine

A goat breeder wants to minimize the risk of urinary stones—what diet should you advise?

High roughage-based diets and limit concentrates