Common Cattle Diseases

Common Cattle Diseases

Bloat

  • Definition: A condition characterized by the abnormal swelling of the rumen due to gas accumulation.

  • Common Causes:

    • Sudden death in cattle.

    • Rumen distension occurs suddenly.

  • Symptoms:

    • Dyspnea (labored breathing)

    • Grunting

    • Mouth breathing

    • Protrusion of the tongue

    • Extended head posture

    • Frequent urination

    • Death may occur 3-4 hours after onset of symptoms.

  • Physical Examination: During physicals, checking for the "PING" sound, which varies:

    • Higher pitched sound indicates secondary or free gas bloat.

    • Lower pitched sound indicates primary or foamy bloat.

Frothy Bloat

  • Description:

    • Gases of fermentation are trapped in a stable foam, making eructation (burping) impossible.

    • The condition is also known as “primary ruminal tympany.”

  • Causes of Foaming:

    • Caused by plant molecules, particularly those in early-season leguminous pastures.

    • Saliva production (which has anti-foaming properties) is reduced in succulent forages.

Treatment of Frothy Bloat

  • Strategies:

    • Restrict access to lush pastures.

    • Administer antifoaming agents via a stomach tube.

    • Use feed additives or drenching with anti-bloat preparations such as vegetable oil.

    • Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) may help prevent acidosis in the rumen.

    • In extreme cases, a rumenotomy (cutting open the rumen) may be necessary to allow froth to escape.

    • Feed dry hay and cracked (but not ground) grain.

Free Gas Bloat

  • Description:

    • Also referred to as secondary ruminal tympany.

    • Can result from ruminal atony (abnormal relaxation) following grain overload.

    • Rumen bacteria may overproduce acidic byproducts.

  • Consequences:

    • Lowers rumen pH, slows or stops rumen movements, and favors acid-producing bacteria to proliferate.

Treatment of Free Gas Bloat

  • Procedure: Passing a tube into the rumen releases trapped gas.

Extreme Treatment for Gassy Bloat

  • Trochar Use:

    • A trochar can be inserted directly into the rumen to allow gas to escape.

Vaginal Prolapse

  • Occurrence:

    • Common before calving due to uterine pressure, loosening of ligaments, age, and body condition.

    • High likelihood of re-prolapse in subsequent pregnancies.

  • Characteristics:

    • Prolapsed vagina is typically smaller in size.

  • Management:

    • vagina must be replaced and secured using Buhner’s stitch.

    • The stitch must be removed once calving starts.

    • There is a genetic component to this condition.

Uterine Prolapse

  • Timing: Occurs post-calving.

  • Mechanism: Involves the uterus inverting through the cervix and protruding out of the cow.

  • Characteristics:

    • Uterus is larger and may display the presence of placentomes (cow-calf connections).

    • Previous vaginal prolapse, low calcium, and difficult delivery can contribute to this.

    • Potential for uterine vessel rupturing, constituting a veterinary emergency.

Treatment of Uterine Prolapse

  • Steps:

    • Clean the uterus and remove any retained placenta.

    • Repair any tears present.

    • Administer epidural anesthetic.

    • Lubricate and return the uterus to its normal position, ensuring that the uterine horns are correctly placed.

    • Application of sugar or hypertonic saline may help reduce edema.

    • Administer IV calcium and oxytocin to stimulate uterine tone.

    • May require a Caslick operation to maintain an opening for urination.

    • Typically, the prolapse is removed 5-7 days post-operation and is more commonplace in horses.

Potential Problems During Treatment

  • Issues can arise from:

    • Time lapsing too long before intervention.

    • Contaminated, lacerated, or necrotic tissues.

  • In severe cases, amputation of the uterus may be necessary.

  • The animal can still raise its calf but may then be culled from the herd.

Mastitis

  • Definition: Inflammation of the mammary gland due to microbe entry via the teat canal, resulting from trauma or infection.

  • Effects:

    • Causes a reduction in milk production and may involve visible abnormalities in the foremilk like blood, flakes, clots, or wateriness.

Clinical Mastitis

  • Symptoms:

    • Detection of visibly abnormal milk - clots, discoloration, or fibrin clots.

    • The udder may appear hot or red.

    • Often affects only one quarter of the udder.

California Mastitis Test

  • Procedure:

    • Measures the amount of white blood cells present in the milk (high WBC indicates infection).

    • 1-2 streams of milk from each quarter are placed onto different areas of a paddle.

    • A reagent is added, and the paddle is swirled; a gel-like consistency indicates a stronger infection; liquid consistency means the cow is negative for mastitis.

Technological Detection of Mastitis

  • Robotic Milkers:

    • Utilize electrical conductivity to measure changes in the ionic composition of milk, along with light emissions and pH meters to detect changes in milk pH; however, they don't specify pathogens.

Treatment of Mastitis

  • Preventive Measures:

    • The best approach is maintaining a clean environment and equipment.

  • Interventions:

    • For mild mastitis in a single quarter, intramammary antibiotics can be used.

    • Systemic antibiotics or combinations may be necessary for more than one affected quarter or for cows that are evidently ill with noticeable udder changes.

    • Organic treatment options may include whey-based products, vitamin supplementation, etc.

Milk Fever (Hypocalcemia)

  • Definition: A metabolic disorder stemming from insufficient calcium in the blood.

  • Incidence:

    • The demand for calcium significantly increases with the onset of lactation.

    • Commonly occurs around the calving time.

  • Consequences:

    • Leads to loss of muscle strength, twitching, and head bobbing; especially frequent in high-lactation cows, notably Jerseys and Guernseys.

    • Can result in mortality if not treated.

Treatment of Milk Fever

  • Options:

    • For standing cows, oral calcium can be administered.

    • For recumbent cows, IV calcium infusion is recommended.

    • Response to treatment is usually rapid, but it is important to watch for possible relapses within the first 24 hours.

Ketosis

  • Definition: A metabolic disorder occurring early in the lactation period; often correlated with milk fever.

  • Evaluation:

    • Diagnosed through urine or blood tests.

  • Symptoms:

    • Arises from a lack of sufficient energy to balance the energy output related to milk production.

    • Impacts rumen function as sufficient glucose production is inadequate.

  • Management Strategies:

    • Provide excellent roughage to meet energy requirements, monitor cows’ body conditions to avoid excessive fat, and implement gradual feed changes.

    • Interventions include IV and oral glucose therapy.

Hairy Heel Warts (Digital Dermatitis)

  • Description: A highly contagious foot disease characterized initially by a red, raw, oval ulcer on the back of the heel; can also occur between toes and may develop hair-like projections.

  • Treatment: Involves the use of antibiotics, footbaths, and topical sprays.

Split Hooves

  • Causes: Typically occurs when cattle slip on unstable ground, causing limbs to move in opposite directions.

  • Prevention: Hobbles can provide security and help prevent repeat injuries.

Brucellosis (Bangs)

  • Description: A bacterial infection that manifests as weight loss, infertility, lameness, decreased milk production, abortions, and may result in stillborn or weak calves.

  • Public Health Risks: Can be transmitted to humans via unpasteurized dairy products, causing symptoms like fevers, joint pains, fatigue, and headaches.

    • In cattle, it has no obvious outward signs but can affect bison (2-20% prevalence).

  • Transmission:

    • Primarily through direct contact, raw milk consumption, or discharge from reproductive tracts.

  • Preventive Measures: A vaccine is available to mitigate the risks.

Pneumonia

  • Causes: Various factors including bacterial and viral infections, stress, dietary changes, environmental dust, and poor ventilation.

  • Symptoms:

    • Nasal and oral discharge, lethargy, loss of body condition, droopy ears, elevated temperature, and increased respiratory rates.

    • Cows may exhibit open-mouth breathing and a soft cough.

  • Treatment: Utilizes non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications.

Displaced Abomasum

  • Symptoms: Results in anorexia and decreased milk production; more frequently associated with high production dairy cattle.

  • Intervention:

    • Medical treatment may help realign the abomasum if the left side is affected; however, the right side presents significant danger due to a high risk of volvulus (twist in the intestine).

Diagnosis

  • Typically diagnosed through the characteristic sound known as “pings.”

Hardware Disease

  • Cause: Occurs when cows ingest materials indiscriminately, which may include metal shavings, nails, or wire.

  • Mechanism: Wire may puncture the reticulum, leading to infections that can affect the heart sac.

  • Symptoms: The pinch test along the cow's withers will elicit a hunching reaction due to pain.

Final Note

  • Conclusion: Maintaining the health and happiness of cows is essential for ensuring productive livestock management. All mentioned diseases highlight the necessity for preventive care and early intervention to mitigate welfare and economic impacts.