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Author Archives Roy Lewis Dvm

Use the dividers in the trailer to keep groups separate during transportation to the packing plant.
Beef Cattle, Features

Tips for minimizing dark cutters

Practical tips for handlers looking to cut the incidence of this costly problem

By
An extremely frustrating problem when shipping finished feedlot cattle is the incidence of dark cutters — those graded B4 — or, to a lesser degree, bruising or trim losses experienced at the packing plant. I’m sure we don’t know all the causes of dark cutters yet, but this article will explore some of the causes […] Read more
Improved design of handling equipment benefits all aspects of processing cattle.
Beef Cattle, Livestock

Improved design applied to cattle handling equipment

Easier on cattle and people and the job gets done faster

By
For three weeks in December 2018, I filled in at a former practice. There were a few really positive things and improvements in many of the farms I visited previously. Most are progressive operators so improvements are always being made. These improve animal welfare and make it easier on the people involved — including me, […] Read more
An outbreak in anthrax occurs primarily in wet springs followed by a very hot, dry summer or in very dry conditions.
Features, Livestock

Preventing anthrax in cattle

In dry years, livestock graze closer to the ground and may come in contact with spores

By
With the fall 2018 anthrax outbreak in northern B.C., now is an ideal time to review prevention strategies. In 2006 we learned lots about the disease and how to control it with the big outbreak in Western Canada. Cattle are very susceptible, along with a long list of other species including bison and horses. It […] Read more
NSAIDs should be used for major procedures such as C-sections at the time of delivery or at the beginning of surgery.
Cow-Calf, Features, Livestock

Pain medication at calving and in the feedlot

Pain control is simply the right thing to do in some situations

By
Pain medication may come with adjunct treatment such as antibiotics but sometimes this is unnecessary. When veterinarians prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for pain, they may choose based on label claim, past experience in the field, price per treatment or per 100 lbs., duration of activity, ease of administration, advice of associates or slaughter withdrawal. […] Read more
Most cases of scours in calves occur at three days or older, meaning they are most likely viral in origin so electrolytes will do more good than antibiotics.
Cow-Calf, Features

Lessons from a neonatal disease survey

Calving: Measuring the incidence of early calfhood diseases across Western Canada

By
A very comprehensive survey was completed a few years ago by Dr. Cheryl Waldner at the Western Veterinary College in Saskatoon looking at the incidence of early calfhood diseases across Western Canada. Surveys were distributed to veterinary clinics across this region and randomly distributed to their clients. Thanks should go to the participating veterinarians and […] Read more
RFID tags can act as a cross-reference to the dangle tag.
Beef Cattle, Features

Multiple uses for RFID tags

Traceability: There are still many positive uses for the tags

By
RFID tags can be useful to you, the Canadian cattle producers, as well as for traceability and unique animal identification purposes. More uses are emerging all the time. I will be the first to admit there have been problems in the past such as deadline changes, retainability and in rare cases inability to read them […] Read more
Rabies is a rare zoonotic disease
Features, Livestock

Rabies is a rare zoonotic disease

… and it’s almost always fatal to animals

By
We don’t hear about rabies being mentioned very often but when we do there is a scary connotation attached to it. It is virtually always fatal to all mammals and zoonotic to humans with no curative treatment once clinical signs develop. Only prevention through vaccination and prevention from contact by strong surveillance programs have kept […] Read more
If you happen to change vaccines it does not necessarily mean you need to start a vaccine program all over again.
Beef Cattle, News, News Roundup

How and when to change vaccine lines

Animal Health: News Roundup from the September 2018 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

By
There are many difficult decisions to be made when changing the brand or manufacturer of a vaccine line. Hopefully this article will clarify how to go about making the decision and avoiding any gaps or overlaps that could develop if the right combinations are not chosen. The real comparisons can be made when you know […] Read more
If a heavily pregnant cow has prolapsed, your veterinarian should have a clear idea when she is due to calve.
Features, Livestock

A vaginal prolapse is not just a prolapse!

Once diagnosed, it’s critical to treat the medical cause as well as the prolapse

By
This article will focus on only vaginal prolapses. The act of replacing these is the visible part but there are many other aspects veterinarians consider when working on these conditions. The cause, method of replacement, long-term care and expected force of straining afterwards must all be considered when vaginal prolapses are being corrected. As an […] Read more
Degeneration can happen to any bull at any stage of life which is why we semen test before breeding.
Features, Livestock

Watch for testicular degeneration in bulls

Breeding: If you suspect degeneration, it’s wise to have a semen evaluation performed

By
One of the most frustrating conditions to hit our herd sires is testicular degeneration (testicles shrinking up). It often strikes without warning or reason. It causes headaches for both purebred breeders with bulls they have sold and for insurance companies with bulls they have insured. In this article I will go over some known causes […] Read more

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