1. Diseases & Parasites of Beef Cattle
AGRISCIENCE COURSE

2. HERD HEALTH PLAN
Producer needs to develop overall plan for maintaining health of the beef herd
Key to success is the prevention of problems
Awareness of beef cattle diseases and parasites can help farmers plan preventive programs that reduce health problems and increase profits
Develop a good working relationship with a veterinarian

3. CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD HERD HEALTH PLAN INCLUDE:
Working with a veterinarian
Good feeding practices that meet nutritional needs
Keeping good records
Vaccinating at correct time
Follow procedures for handling and storing vaccines
Controlling parasites
Following good reproductive management procedures
Detecting signs of disease, correctly diagnosing, & treating with proper medicines

4. VITAL SIGNS TPR: Temperature, Pulse, and Respiration
Temperature: normal range is degrees F to degrees F
Pulse: normal range is beats per minute
Respiration: normal range is breaths per minute

5. CHECKING VITAL SIGNS
Body temperature is taken in the rectum with a thermometer
Pulse rate is taken by finding the artery on the lower edge of the jaw, the artery along the inside of the foreleg, inside of the hind leg just above the hock, or the artery on the underside of the tail
Respiration is determined by observing the number of times the animal breathes per minute

6. SANITATION It is always better to prevent than to treat!!!
Good sanitation programs are essential in preventing diseases and parasites

7. ANTHRAX
Disease caused by bacteria that may remain in the soil for 40 years or longer
Certain conditions cause the bacteria to become active
Can enter the body through the mouth, nose, & open wounds
Biting insects, such as horseflies, may spread the disease
First sign is typically sudden death
Less acute infections show symptoms of high fever, sudden staggering, hard breathing, trembling, and collapse

8. ANTHRAX CONTINUED…
Death will typically occur within a few hours after symptoms appear
Carcass of an animal should be burned or buried at least 6 feet deep and covered with quicklime
Never bury the carcass near wells or streams
Anthrax can be spread to humans
Annual vaccines can be given against anthrax

9. BOVINE SPONGIFORM ENCEPHALOPATHY (BSE)
Otherwise known as mad cow disease
Chronic degenerative disease that affects the central nervous system
One of a class of brain diseases called transmissible spongiform encephalophathies
Symptoms include nervousness or aggression, muscle twitching, abnormal posture, loss of body weight, decrease in milk production, and difficulty in rising after lying down

10. BSE CONTINUED… No treatment and animals eventually die
Contracted by ingesting protein in feed that came from an animal protein source that was contaminated by a prion (microscopic piece of protein)
No vaccination exists

11. BLACKLEG Caused by bacteria that grow only in the absence of oxygen
Most serious when bacteria lodge in deep wounds
When the bacteria are exposed to air, they form a protective spore (covering), which allows them to live for many years in the soil
Young cattle are more commonly affected than older cattle

12. BLACKLEG CONTINUED…
Symptoms include lameness, swollen muscles, severe depression, and high fever. The animal may be unable to stand.
Calves are vaccinated young and again at weaning
Treatment involves massive doses of antibiotics
Vaccination is vital b/c the spores can live in the soil for 10 years

13. YOUR TURN!
Research and find the cause of the disease, symptoms, treatment, and vaccination.
Foot & Mouth Disease (Hoof & Mouth Disease)
Foot Rot
Johne’s Disease
Lumpy Jaw
Pinkeye
Ringworm
Leptospirosis

14. EXTERNAL PARASITES Include: flies, lice, mange, mites, and ticks
They slow down weight gain and sometimes damage the hides of the animals
Some parasites irritate the animals; others are bloodsuckers
Chemical control methods are the most economical.
A program of parasite control includes sanitation.

15. FLIES Horn Fly Stable Fly Horsefly and Deerfly
Blackfly (Buffalo Gnats)
Mosquitoes
Screwworm Fly
Housefly
Face Fly
Heel Fly (Cattle Grub)

16. LICE
One species of biting lice & 4 species of bloodsucking lice attack beef cattle
Louse eggs are laid on hairs on the animal’s body
Louse population is low during the summer & increases in the fall and winter
Symptoms include cattle rubbing against fences
Bloodsucking lice weaken cattle, which causes them to be more likely infected by other diseases
Control of lice is used by insecticides

17. MITES Cause a condition known as scab, mange, or itch
Mite populations are at their lowest in the summer and increase during the winter
Symptoms include the appearance of small pimply areas on the skin that lose hair
Infected animals rub, scratch, or lick at the infected areas

18. TICKS
Tick bites irritate the animals, causing them to rub and scratch at the infected area
Ticks are flat, oval shaped and dark brown or reddish in color
The spinose ear tick attaches itself deep in the ear of the animal & causes severe irritation, wax buildup, and infection

19. INTERAL PARASITES
Roundworms
Flatworms
Coccidia
Anaplasma

20. NUTRITIONAL HEALTH PROBLEMS
Research the cause, symptoms, treatment, and prevention methods.
Bloat
Fescue Toxicity
Founder
Grass Tetany
Hardware Disease
White Muscle