Swelling and yellow pus is visible in the vocal cords.

Dealing with diphtheria in calves

Animal Health: The condition is serious enough that swelling can restrict breathing to the point of suffocation

Diphtheria is an upper respiratory problem in cattle characterized by an infection or inflammation of the vocal folds. It can be serious if swelling restricts the airway and makes breathing difficult. Dr. Steve Hendrick of Coaldale Veterinary Clinic at Coaldale, Alta., sees quite a few cases of diphtheria in cow-calf operations and in feedlots. “It’s […] Read more

NSAIDs should be used for major procedures such as C-sections at the time of delivery or at the beginning of surgery.

Pain medication at calving and in the feedlot

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

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


A producer places syringe guns in a cooler to regulate the vaccine’s temperature.

Cleaning and reusing medical equipment for cattle

Submitted by Drs. Mark and Dana Bergen

Submitted by Drs. Mark and Dana Bergen

(This article originally ran in Beef in B.C. It is reprinted here with permission.) Having a well-managed cattle herd inevitably involves giving them veterinary medical care from time to time. This includes preventative measures such as vaccination and deworming as well as treating sick animals. Most cattle producers through experience, training, and input from their […] Read more

Canadian Veterinary Medical Association launches online platform

Canadian Veterinary Medical Association launches online platform

Health: News Roundup from the January 2019 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) has created a new online platform for Canada’s veterinarians to aid their decisions on antimicrobial use in animals. The CVMA Guidelines for Veterinary Antimicrobial Use is accessible from a range of devices such as smartphones and laptops. It is searchable and gives vets quick access to information on antimicrobial […] Read more


(t-lorien/Getty Images)

African swine fever – watch and learn

Vet Advice with Dr. Ron Clarke

Many human infectious diseases travel at the speed of the fastest airplane. It’s critical for those involved in the animal protein business — be it beef, poultry or pork anywhere on the globe — to remain vigilant of what’s happening with international neighbours struggling with highly infectious diseases in animals, and learn. No one in […] Read more

The Sask Stock Growers Association is calling for non-dwarf cereal varieties better suited to drought, a satellite-based forage insurance program, as well as other measures to enable producers to manage drought risks and make challenging business decisions.

Does antibiotic resistance move through the environment?

Research on the Record with Reynold Bergen

Recent columns have talked about antibiotic use in Canadian cow-calf and feedlot operations. Contrary to common misperceptions, antibiotic-resistant bacteria are very unlikely to transfer from cattle to beef, evade food safety interventions in the processing plant, survive cooking, and cause an antibiotic-resistant infection in a person. But can antibiotic-resistant bacteria be transmitted from cattle, through […] Read more


Researchers decode liver fluke behaviour with 3D modelling

Researchers decode liver fluke behaviour with 3D modelling

Research: News Roundup from the December 2018 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

[UPDATED: Dec. 17, 2018] Thanks to 3D modelling, scientists have a better idea of how a liver fluke infests livestock. Dicrocoelium dendriticum, commonly known as a lancet fluke or lesser liver fluke, can cause liver disease in cattle, sheep and goats. The Merck Veterinary Manual notes that livestock don’t seem to have any immunity to […] Read more

W.A. Ranches’ gift to veterinary medicine and bovine health

W.A. Ranches’ gift to veterinary medicine and bovine health

The ranch will be home to the University of Calgary’s beef research and extension programs

Students at the University of Calgary’s faculty of veterinary medicine receive hands-on experience at various beef operations. In many ways it’s been a successful approach — after only 10 years, the University of Calgary vet college is ranked among the top 50 vet schools globally. But conducting research at partnering cow-calf operations poses challenges for […] Read more


Amplimune receives organic stamp of approval

Amplimune receives organic stamp of approval

Health: News Roundup from the November 2018 issue of Canadian Cattlemen

Amplimune, an immunotherapy for calf scours, has received an Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) listing in Canada. This means calves treated with Amplimune are in compliance with Canada’s Organic Regime regulations. Amplimune, produced by Nova Vive Inc., is an immunomodulator that reduces the clinical signs and mortality associated with E. coli K99 diarrhea in neonatal […] Read more

Are you ready for December 1, 2018?

Are you ready for December 1, 2018?

Nutrition with John McKinnon

December 1, 2018, is an important date that all Canadian beef producers should be aware of. It marks the end of the phase-in period, after which Health Canada will enforce new regulations as to how medically important antimicrobials (MIA) that were previously sold over the counter without veterinary prescription are regulated, dispensed and used within […] Read more