AUDIO: Reproductive diseases in cattle

AUDIO: Reproductive diseases in cattle

This episode in the Herd Health series looks at how to prevent and manage reproductive diseases in your cattle herd.

Reproductive diseases that cause abortions or leave cows open can take a big chunk out of your bottom line. It’s something Dr. Cheryl Waldner has spent a lot of time looking into. Waldner is chair of One Health and production-limiting diseases at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine, and in this interview, she discusses everything […] Read more

Vet Advice: Vibriosis

Vet Advice: Vibriosis

Vibriosis is an important venereal disease of cattle caused by the organism Campylobacter fetus. Some refer to the disease as campylobacteriosis. In sheep, it may be referred to as enzootic abortion, not associated with venereal transmission as much as ingestion of contaminated water and feed. Typically, the disease causes female infertility, with an increased number […] Read more


Stock photo of Corriente cattle. Whether buying roping steers or breeding stock, basic biosecurity is a must. Photo: flariv/iStock/Getty Images Plus

Cheap steers bring more than bargained for

Veterinary Case Study: An effective biosecurity plan is essential to prevent infectious diseases from entering your herd

Jim visited the office one morning and asked if we could talk. He looked worried, a bit like a child that had gotten into the Halloween candy early. Two years ago, Jim had started team roping with a local club. Good crops and strong cattle prices allowed Jim to build his own small arena. His […] Read more

Vaccination is far less costly than even a few more open cows or a few more abortions, and much less costly than a reproductive disaster.

Vaccines are cheap insurance — don’t let your premiums lapse

Research on the Record with Reynold Bergen

After last summer’s pasture conditions and last winter’s feed costs, it’s safe to say that many cow-calf producers are facing the upcoming grazing season with some anxiety. Some are looking for new grazing arrangements, opportunities to trim input costs or both. No single solution can solve every challenge for every operation, but nearly all decisions […] Read more


A case of acute BVD in a calf. BVD can cause symptoms ranging from nasal discharge to birth defects, as well as diarrhea.  Photo: Supplied by Dr. John Campbell

BVD still a threat to Canadian cattle herds

Even closed herds can be at risk for BVD, making vaccination key to preventing this disease

Bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) can affect cattle in many ways, causing abortion, birth defects, stillborn calves, immune deficiencies in persistently infected animals, and other acute or chronic illness. BVD is also an indirect cause of many other diseases because it has adverse effects on the immune system. An estimate a few years ago suggested that […] Read more

Testing for trichomoniasis.

Keeping trichomoniasis out of cattle herds

Prevention and early detection are vital to managing this disease

Trichomoniasis is a disease that can sneak into a herd without any obvious signs. This sexually transmitted disease is caused by protozoa that inhabit the cow’s reproductive tract and the bull’s sheath. It doesn’t affect a bull’s fertility rate, but a bull can spread the disease to many cows during breeding. An infected cow can […] Read more


The industry needs to be aware that C. jejuni exists within most herds and feedlots.

C. jejuni – an ever-present and often forgotten bacteria

Vet Advice with Dr. Ron Clarke

Campylobacter jejuni (CAMP-EE-LO-BACK-TER JE-JUNE-EYE) is the most common cause of bacterial diarrhea in the North America, causing an estimated 1.5 million human diarrheal illnesses annually. Infections are common in young children, and young adults between the ages of 18 to 29. Asymptomatic human carriers are rare. Most human cases are caused through contact with animals […] Read more

File photo of a cow grazing near Leader, Sask., about 85 km south of Kindersley. (James_Gabbert/iStock/Getty Images)

IBR persists

Infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) is caused by bovine herpesvirus-1 (BHV-1). Other types of herpes viruses affect humans and cause diseases we know as chicken pox, cold sores, and shingles. One of the characteristics of herpes viruses is the ability to infect cells and then lie dormant for long periods before some stressful event lowers the […] Read more