Beef Health Topic #3082 Ashlee Gibson

Objectives To identify general health symptoms To understand causes, signs, prevention, and control of different diseases To know ways and location to administer medicine

General Health Information Body Temperature  Range of F to 103 F (101.5 F)  Taken rectally

General Health Information Respiration  Rate of breathing  10 to 30 breaths per minute

General Health Information Heart Rate (Pulse)  Regular throbbing caused in the arteries by the contractions of the heart.  When taking a pulse, count for 15 seconds and then multiply by four to get a full minute reading.  40 to 70 beats per minute

General Signs of Illness Head down Not alert In the corner Will not stand up Coughing Nasal or eye discharge Diarrhea Heavy Breathing Rough coat Change in body temperature

Respiratory Diseases “Shipping Fever”  Cause: Viral or bacterial  Sign: high fever, coughing, weight loss, diarrhea, nasal and eye discharge, could cause abortion  Prevention: Vaccination  Control: Antibiotics Example: IBR, BVD, BRSV, Pasteurella

Clostridial Diseases Blackleg & Malignant Edema  Cause: Organisms in soil that enter through mouth or open sore  Signs: Swelling over heavy muscle areas. Gas bubbles and fluid beneath skin  Prevention: Vaccination  Treatment: Penicillin

Digestive Diseases Caused from incorrect feeding or rations  Bloat  Flounder

Digestive Disease Bloat: Gas build up in rumen  Cause: Rich feeds  Sign: Bulge towards last rib and hip  Treatment: Take away feed, movement, in severe cases stomach tube or puncture is needed

Digestive Disease

Digestive Diseases Flounder- inflammation of hoof wall  Cause: high concentration of feed  Sign: limping  Treatment: Could lead to lameness

External Parasites Flies, Lice, Mites, and Grubs  Annoy and irritate and transmit disease  Sign: Visible, rubbing, hair loss  Control: Face oilers dust bags, ear tags with insecticides, spraying or dipping cattle with insecticides

Internal Parasites Roundworms, Tape worms, and Flukes  Attach to wall of digestive tract  Signs: Poor weight gain, rough hair coat, diarrhea or constipation  Prevention and Treatment: Dewormer

Other Common Diseases Foot rot  Cause: Bacteria enters through cut in hoof  Sign: Limping  Prevention: Keep pasture of feedlot clear of sharp objects and dry pen  Treatment: Antibiotics and/or foot wrap

Other Common Diseases Warts  Cause: Virus  Sign: Growth that looks like a cauliflower  Prevention: Isolation of infected animals  Treatment: Vaccines or manually remove

Other Common Diseases Ringworm  Cause: Fungus  Sign: Loss of hair  Prevention: Isolate and keep pen dry  Treatment: fungicides or sunlight

Other Common Diseases Pink eye  Cause: eye infected by bacteria  Sign: eye discharge, white dot in middle of eye  Prevention: Fly control, keep pen clean  Treatment: Keep in cool, darkened pen, apply antibiotic ointments

Pink Eye

Immunization Pick the type of vaccine for diseases that need to be controlled Some vaccinations prevent more than one disease

Ways to Administer Medicine Intramuscular (IM) Intranasal Intravenous (IV) Oral Subcutaneous (Sub Q) Under the skin

Where to inject? In front of shoulder Not in rear

Conclusion Cattle show general health signs if they don’t “feel good” Specific health problems  Prevented by vaccines  Controlled by antibiotics Specific ways to administer medicines