Livestock Health

Infectious Disease Spread from one animal to another Contagious Caused by bacteria, virus, protozoan, etc.

Non-infectious Disease Not spread from one animal to another Not Contagious Caused by nutrition, environment, etc.

Causes of Disease Bacteria Virus Protozoa External Parasites Internal Parasites Nutrition

Bacterial Diseases Single Celled Organism 3 shape types –Rod (bacilli) –Round (Cocci) –Sprial (sprilli)

Bacterial Diseases Can live individually or in colonies Chain-like colony = Strepto- Cluster-like colony = Staphylo-

Bacterial diseases Some are beneficial, Some are deadly Can be killed by antibiotics Some produce Spores (can live in soil for many years) = Clostridial

Bacterial Diseases Examples Anthrax Blackleg Brucellosis “Bangs” Leptospirosis Mastitis

Viral Diseases Can be serious, highly contagious, and deadly Can only be seen with an electron microscope Living or not??? Cannot be killed by antibiotics Vaccines have been developed for most

Viral Diseases Examples BVD Influenza Sore mouth Warts

Protozoans Single celled organisms Live in water Can be transported by insects Act as parasites

Diseases caused by Protozoans Anaplasmosis Coccidiosis Trichomoniasis

External Parasites Attach themselves and live on the outside of the animal May burrow into the skin Suck blood to obtain nutrients Lay eggs in hide, etc. Killed by using pour-on, sprays, injections Hair loss is a common symptom

Examples of External Parasites Flies Ticks Mites Fleas Grubs Mosquitoes

Internal Parasites Get into digestive tract, muscle tissue, and/or lungs Absorb nutrients from digestive tract or from the blood Cause animals to have poor weight gain Treat with de-wormers (paste, injection, chewing tobacco)

Examples of Internal Parasites Tape worms Round worms Liver Fluke Hook worm Trichina worm

Nutritional Diseases Caused by ingesting something that is toxic to the animal Examples Bloat Founder Grass Tetany Hardware Disease

Livestock Health Livestock Management

Castration Removal of testicles Prevents breeding Stops Testosterone production –tender meat, higher fat –better disposition

Castration - Methods Knife Elastrator Emasculator Burdizzo

Dehorning Removal of horns Reduces meat loss from injury Take up less room in feed lot and feed bunks Prevent injury to self and others

Dehorning - Methods Breeding (Polled animals) Barnes Dehorners Spoons Scoops/Gouge Tube Saw Keystone Chemical

Identification Prevents theft Allows record keeping on individual animals Easy sorting of strays or animals kept on association ranges

Identification - Methods Fire brand Freeze brand Ear tag Ear mark/Dewlap/Waddle Tattoo Neck chain Microchip

Vaccinations Giving Injections Read label for dosage and method of injection Subcutaneous - under the skin Intramuscular - in the muscle Preventing abscesses - use clean, sharp needle, vary injection site

Docking Removal of Tails Prevents cannibalism Promotes hygiene Methods: Knife Elastrator Electric docker

Parasite Control Pour on Spraying Dipping vat Injections Scratch posts Powder bags

Livestock Health How to recognize healthy and Unhealthy Animals

Healthy Animals Contentment Alertness Chewing of cud Sleek coat Bright Eyes Normal feces and urine Normal Temperature Normal Pulse rate Normal Respiration

Unhealthy Animals Loss of appetite Rough hair coat Abnormal feces Dull Eyes High Temperature Discolored urine Ruminants not chewing their cud