Recognizing and Managing Common Health Problems of Replacement Show Heifers Floron C. Faries, Jr., DVM, MS Professor and Extension Program Leader Texas AgriLife Extension Service Texas A&M System College Station, TX

“My heifer’s eyes are cloudy and runny.” Pink Eye bacterial disease excessive flow of tears holding the eye partially closed rubbing the eye seeking shaded areas

ulcer develops cornea becomes cloudy immediate treatment isolation of infected cattle

IBR Virus Eye (Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis) aerosol transmission of this virus may develop cloudy cornea no ulceration isolation of affected animals vaccination of the whole herd

Cancer Eye (Squamous Cell Carcinoma) smooth plaques on the eyeball ulcer or horn lesions on the eyelids excessive flow of tears heating or freezing therapies surgical removal eyeball and eyelids removal

Photo Eye (Photosensitization) hypersensitivity to sunlight cloudiness of the cornea non-pigmented tissues sunburned protection from sunlight

“My heifer has areas of hair loss with skin lesions.” Ringworm Fungus (Dermatophytosis) fungus infection direct contact to calves circumscribed grayish lesions located on the face and neck calves should be separated and treated

Warts (Papillomatosis) papilloma virus transmitted to calves by direct contact cauliflower-type growths calves with warts should be isolated warts dry and sluff

“During winter my heifer rubs her head, neck and shoulders” Horn Fly Allergy (Allergic Dermatitis) skin allergy itch sensation cattle rub from December through March hair coat becomes sparse reduce the horn fly population

“Occasionally my heifer is crippled on one foot.” Foot Crack (Web Tear) web of skin between the toes deeply cracked damaged tissue must heal inside out confined for a few weeks

Foot Rot (Necrotic Pododermatitis) draining infection with a foul odor hot, swollen and painful foot bacteria in mud mixed with manure segregated for proper treatment corrections of the unsanitary conditions

“My heifer coughs, protrudes her tongue and breathes with her mouth open.” Infectious Lung Disease (Pneumonia) fever, coughing and labored breathing head and neck are outstretched tongue is protruding several viruses in concert with various bacteria

predisposing stress factors isolated for treatment vaccination plan for whole herd

Fog Fever (Pulmonary Emphysema and Edema) fever is not present coughing is minimal respiratory distress is extensive mouth breathing extended tongue

drooling saliva toxic reaction in the lungs lush, green grass in spring or fall handled with caution cowherd should be moved from the lush pasture

“My heifer has a runny, snotty nose.” Runny, Snotty Nose (Sinusitis) nasal drainage excess quantities of drainage from inflamed sinuses extreme hot or cold temperatures windy conditions irritants and allergens

viral and bacterial infections use of antibiotics is contraindicated low-grade fever absence of fever

“My heifer has the staggers, went down and is unable to rise.” Polio (Polioencephalomalacia) cows are thin low protein, low roughage, and high sulfate diet confined and fed a grain diet without roughage

downer cow attempts to stand ankles remain flexed or knuckled over immediate treatment

“My heifer suddenly died that before dying was rapidly breathing, weak and feverish.” Lepto (Leptospirosis) five serovars of bacteria exposures to calves are from urine fever, rapid and difficult breathing

kill unborn calves and nursing calves vaccination of whole herd vaccine failures may occur

Blackleg (Clostridial Disease) bacterial toxins (poisons) spores from the soil spores are ingested go to muscles and remain dormant

a trigger breaks them out of dormancy dead calves should be burned 7-way blackleg vaccine vaccination of the whole herd

“My heifer is rapidly breathing, weak, feverish, and scouring.” Scours (Enteritis-Colitis Septicemia) ground becomes heavily contaminated with germs from manure kill baby calves from scours by dehydration and septicemia scours are caused by bacteria, viruses, and protozoa in the intestines

rotovirus and coronovirus E. coli and C. perfringens B, C, D cryptosporidia and coccidia provide clean maternity areas vaccination program for the whole herd