Bovine Herd Health Management: Diseases and Parasites This is a presentation from Virginia Tech and has not been edited by the Georgia Curriculum Office.

Objectives Explain importance of herd healthExplain importance of herd health Discuss economic impacts on both diseases and parasitesDiscuss economic impacts on both diseases and parasites Identify diseases/parasitesIdentify diseases/parasites State types of organismsState types of organisms Discuss mode of transmission.Discuss mode of transmission.

Objectives,cont. Discuss common symptoms.Discuss common symptoms. Discuss life Cycle of worm.Discuss life Cycle of worm. Discuss preventative methodsDiscuss preventative methods. Determine the best time of year to treat for diseases/parasites.Determine the best time of year to treat for diseases/parasites.

Economic Losses The beef industry along with the producers lose millions of dollars each year.The beef industry along with the producers lose millions of dollars each year. The most common losses are due to:The most common losses are due to: –infertility and abortion –calf scours –respiratory infections –sudden death

Economic Losses, cont. Parasites also contribute to the loss of millions of dollars annually in the U.S. due to poorly managed cattle. Losses include:  reduced weight gains which increases the amount of feed per pound of gain.  Low milk production

More Losses reduced hide valuereduced hide value additional trim on carcassesadditional trim on carcasses and deathand death

Diseases The common pathogens in bovine diseases are bacterial, viral, and protozoan.The common pathogens in bovine diseases are bacterial, viral, and protozoan. Cattle diseases are transmitted by many different ways. The most common forms of infection are:Cattle diseases are transmitted by many different ways. The most common forms of infection are: –grazing and contact with the soil. –Sexually –casual contact –viruses can be shed in the feces

Diseases The most common diseases that should be treat twice a year are:The most common diseases that should be treat twice a year are: –IBR –PI 3 –BVD –BRSV –Pasteruella –Brucellosis –Clostridial diseases –Leptospirosis –Campylobacter fetus –Trichomoniasis

Diseases IBR (infectious bovine rhinotracheitis):IBR (infectious bovine rhinotracheitis): –organism: virus –symptoms: respiratory infection (“red nose”), abortion. Also called BRD: bovine respiratory disease –vaccination: modified-live PI 3 (Parainfluenza 3):PI 3 (Parainfluenza 3): –organism: virus –symptoms: can lead to a secondary bacterial infection, and abortion. Also called BRD: bovine respiratory disease –vaccination: modified- live

Diseases BVD (bovine virus diarrhea):BVD (bovine virus diarrhea): –organism: virus –symptoms: persistent diarrhea,can lead to a secondary bacterial infection, and abortion. BRD: bovine respiratory disease. –vaccination: modified-live BRSV (bovine respiratory syncytial virus):BRSV (bovine respiratory syncytial virus): –organism: virus –symptoms:can lead to a secondary bacterial infection, and abortion. BRD: bovine respiratory disease. –symptoms: can lead to a secondary bacterial infection, and abortion. BRD: bovine respiratory disease. – vaccination: modified-live

Diseases Pasteurella:Pasteurella: –organism: bacteria –symptoms: pneumonia, “shipping fever” –vaccination: two doses of BRSV 2-4 weeks apart Brucellosis:Brucellosis: –organism: bacteria –symptoms: abortion and infertility –vaccination: calfhood vaccinate heifers < 8months of age.

Diseases Clostridial:Clostridial: –organism: bacteria –symptoms: death- primarily in young animals. –Vaccination: 7-way Leptospirosis:Leptospirosis: –organism: bacteria –symptoms: abortion and kidney failure –vaccination: 5-way vaccine

Diseases Campylobacter fetus:Campylobacter fetus: –organism: bacteria –symptoms: venereal disease, infertility –vaccination: vaccine with oil adjuvant Trichomoniasis:Trichomoniasis: –organism: protozoa –symptoms: abortion; venereal disease spread by bulls –vaccination: none

Prevention VACCINATEVACCINATE –at least 2 times a year

Internal Parasites Internal parasites are present inside the animal.Internal parasites are present inside the animal. The parasites and their eggs are microscopic in size.The parasites and their eggs are microscopic in size. Internal parasites are not easily noticed.Internal parasites are not easily noticed.

Modes of Transmission Wet and warm climates favor infestation of internal parasites.Wet and warm climates favor infestation of internal parasites. Transmission takes place through ingestion.Transmission takes place through ingestion. Infection usually takes place in the spring and fall.Infection usually takes place in the spring and fall.

Life Cycle Worms occur in the hosts small intestine.Worms occur in the hosts small intestine. Female produces eggs which are passed in the feces.Female produces eggs which are passed in the feces. Eggs then hatch in to larvaeEggs then hatch in to larvae The larvae are eaten by the host, infecting them.The larvae are eaten by the host, infecting them. Larvae then mature into adults, repeating the cycle.Larvae then mature into adults, repeating the cycle.

Common Classes of Worms Nematodes: (Roundworms)Nematodes: (Roundworms) –Small Stomach worm –Medium Stomach worm –Large Stomach Worm or barber-pole worm –Hookworm –Lungworm

Common Classes of Worms, cont. Cestodes: (Flatworms)Cestodes: (Flatworms) FlatwormFlatworm Trematodes: (Flukes)Trematodes: (Flukes) Liver FlukesLiver Flukes Stomach FlukesStomach Flukes

Symptoms of infestation Normal or increased appetite with no weight gain.Normal or increased appetite with no weight gain. Abnormal weight lossAbnormal weight loss poor growthpoor growth anemiaanemia anorexiaanorexia dull hair coatdull hair coat diarrheadiarrhea weaknessweakness edema in jawedema in jaw

Anthelmintics or ‘wormers’ There are many products on the market that are designed to treat ruminant worms. Some of the most common are:There are many products on the market that are designed to treat ruminant worms. Some of the most common are: –Ivermectin (Ivomec  ) –Eprinomectin (Ivomec Eprinex  ) –Doramectin (Dectromax  ) –Moxidectin (Cydectin  )

Wormers These products can be administered through injection or topically by a ‘pour-on’.These products can be administered through injection or topically by a ‘pour-on’. Treatment should take place in the early spring and fall.Treatment should take place in the early spring and fall. Products should be rotated to prevent parasite resistance.Products should be rotated to prevent parasite resistance.

External Parasites External parasites are a nuisance to man and beast. They can cause a lot of unintended aggravation and pain. Some examples are:External parasites are a nuisance to man and beast. They can cause a lot of unintended aggravation and pain. Some examples are: –Flies: (horn, face, stable,and house flies) -insects that suck blood and are responsible for pinkeye, reduced gains and milk production. Can also cause mastitis. –lice: insects that also suck blood and eat flesh. They will cause rubbing which results in raw spots.

External Parasites Grubs: larvae enter hide and cause large sores along the backs of cattle. Larvae feed on pus caused by its presence.Grubs: larvae enter hide and cause large sores along the backs of cattle. Larvae feed on pus caused by its presence. Ticks: arachnids that feed on blood and is responsible for diseases such as anaplasmosis and ‘blue tongue’Ticks: arachnids that feed on blood and is responsible for diseases such as anaplasmosis and ‘blue tongue’.

Treatment Pour-on treatments will control all these external parasites, but it is a good idea to also have a back-up treatment for longer periods. The pour-on treatments are:Pour-on treatments will control all these external parasites, but it is a good idea to also have a back-up treatment for longer periods. The pour-on treatments are: –Ivermectin (Ivomec  ) –Eprinomectin (Ivomec Eprinex  ) –Doramectin (Dectromax  ) –Moxidectin (Cydectin  )

Treatments They back-up treatments are just added insurance. They may consists of:They back-up treatments are just added insurance. They may consists of: –ear tags –back rubs –boluses –drench –paste –supplemented minerals –sprays –dust

Summary Disease and parasites can cause huge economic losses due to:Disease and parasites can cause huge economic losses due to: –poor wt. Gain –low milk production –carcass loss –infertility and abortion –death

Summary Transmission occurs through internal ingestion, casual contact and sexually.Transmission occurs through internal ingestion, casual contact and sexually. Spring and Fall are the most favorable times of the year for infection.Spring and Fall are the most favorable times of the year for infection. Infective pathogens are bacterial, viral, protozoan, and parasitic (internal and external).Infective pathogens are bacterial, viral, protozoan, and parasitic (internal and external).