This spring think of meconium as an early warning sign of many things
As a veterinarian over the past 35 years I’ve been called many times to assist with difficult calvings or malpresentations that resulted in meconium (first manure) stained calves. The jury is still out on what causes this and what we should do about it. Veterinarians have many opinions on this topic, as it is a […] Read more
Recognizing when it's happening is your first step
One of the hardest calving dilemmas you or your veterinarian face, is improper cervical dilation. Before expulsion of the fetus the cervix normally relaxes, softens and opens up essentially as wide as the vagina to allow the fetus to enter the vaginal vault. When this does not happen normally, or is delayed, the health of […] Read more
Calving/Equipment with Roy Lewis, DVM
Just as a good mechanic has specific tools for specific jobs you too need specialized equipment during calving season. Each piece should be clean, disinfected and accessible when calving, and a little practice with this equipment beforehand is always beneficial. You may not need these particular tools often, but when you do they can save […] Read more
The livestock industry has made great strides in addressing the topic of antimicrobial usage and indirectly lessening the opportunity for the formation of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. From veterinarians setting treatment protocols to cow-calf and feedlot producers implementing effective coping strategies, progress is being made in minimizing the incidence of disease and thus reducing the need for […] Read more
Animal Health with Roy Lewis, Dvm
A few years ago cattle from an American feedlot went down during transport to a packing plant and others developed severe lameness. This condition was eventually labelled fatigued cattle syndrome and became a huge animal welfare issue due to the appearance of severely lame, non-ambulatory cattle. Initially beta-agonists were incriminated but numerous studies have essentially […] Read more
There are both economic and health benefits for your cattle operation
Many commercial or purebred producers and auction markets are realizing the benefits of palpating heifers pre-breeding. This can also be done at pregnancy checking and involve a more thorough exam than simply a determination of whether they are pregnant or not. I will try and highlight some of these and explain how this may economically […] Read more
There are a lot of factors at play and all of them need to be considered in every case where antibiotics are an option
Although a few very effective antibiotics have been removed from the marketplace over the years, the choice has never been greater. The challenge is there are so many factors hinging on the outcome, so deciding which antibiotic to use — or if one is necessary at all — can be a very difficult decision. Also […] Read more
Perhaps because a uterine torsion is a very rare type of malpresentation it is often difficult for producers to recognize. If we can recognize them, and quickly get help, the majority of these calves can be saved. It’s important that you don’t make the mistake of attempting to pull these calves yourself. I have never […] Read more
Some recent research has revealed a test that easily predicts which calves should receive supplemental colostrum at only a few minutes old. It was the result of some work by Dr. Elizabeth Homerosky, a veterinarian at the faculty of veterinary medicine at the University of Calgary, as she was comparing various testing procedures to determine […] Read more
Cattle grubs have pretty much been forgotten by Canadian cattlemen over the past 20-plus years. Most of our young producers may not even know what I am talking about but those in their 50s will remember the vast amount of hide and internal damage caused by warble larvae migrating close to the spine or the […] Read more
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