CATTLE DISEASES: PNEUMONIA

A few weeks ago our bull was sick.  I could tell that he was in a lot of pain and discomfort. He was breathing very shallow and making a loud noise with every breath.  He was also weak and could not walk.  Prior to that, a few days before, he was bleeding from his nose.  We actually thought that he had fought with other bulls and didn’t pay much attention, until the rest of the symptoms appeared.  But thanks to the VET, we managed to give him medication.  These were effective. Had a big scare, this would have been a huge lose.

 Recovery feels good...

VET diagnosis! Pneumonia…

Pneumonia is a lung disease that affects cattle, mostly in the eastern and northern parts of the country.  These affects are throughout the year, when several primary and secondary organisms work together to cause damage to the lungs.  It is also known as ‘lung disease’.

There are several factors that cause pneumonia.  But the critical issue is when the animal is not able to fight off the disease.  Factors that affect the ability of an animal to fight the disease are:

Stress

Stress reduces the animal’s ability to fight the disease by reducing the production of white blood cells.  The white blood cells aid in fighting infections and diseases.  OKB-12-677 was under stress truthfully speaking.  The animal was confined in an enclosed camp together with other bulls were he was being prepared for the market.  He would jump fences constantly, to attempt to get to the cows so he can mate. Raging testosterone levels.

Dust and cold

The colds and dust suppress the activity of the mucous membranes that help keep harmful organisms out of the mucus tract. This could be a cause.  Winter was approaching and it was getting cold.  And in addition, OKB-12-677 was on a supplementary lick programme to try and get him ready for the market.  According to VET, might be that the licks accumulated dust.  Storage of supplementary feeds is very important.  It is also believed that the great differences between day time temperatures and night time temperatures contributes to weakening the animals potential to fight pneumonia.

Nutritional shortages

Shortages of protein especially can have an effect in suppressing animal’s immune system.

Symptoms of pneumonia are,

Coughing

Bleeding from nose

When autopsy conducted, accumulation of fluid in chest cavity occurs.

If you have any suspicions, contact your nearest VET.

Xoxo

BEEF CATTLE DISEASES: ANTHRAX

Anthrax!  I would be devastated if my herd is diagnosed with this disease. 

Anthrax is an acute bacterial disease.  The disease is primarily caused by exposure to spores.  These spores can exist in the environment for decades.  It is believed that alkaline soils are more favorable to the survival of these spores. Only under the right conditions, the dormant spores can germinate and multiply. The disease effects grazing animals such as cattle, sheep, goats and horses.  People can also be affected by anthrax. 

The predominant sign in cattle with anthrax is a progression from a normal appearance to dead just a few hours.  This causes most animals to just be found dead.  This is because the incubation period of the disease is 3 to 7 days.

How does anthrax spread in animals?
Outbreaks of anthrax tent to be associated with particular climatic and weather events.  These events can include heavy rainfall, flooding and drought.  During heavy rainfall seasons, the close grazing of animals on fresh shoots of grass leads to an outbreaks due to ingestion of organisms picked from contaminated soils. Biting flies may also transmit the disease from one animal to the next.

How anthrax spreads from the environment and into cattle.

What are the symptoms of anthrax?
The symptoms vary from signs of weakness, fever, alternation between excitement and depression, difficulty breathing, uncoordinated movements, convulsions, bloody discharges from natural openings on body (mouth, ears, nose and anus).  It is necessary to note that after death, rapid decomposition of carcass occurs.

Bloody discharge from natural openings of an animal is one of the symptoms of anthrax.


What are the treatment/vaccination?
Anthrax can only be controlled through vaccination programs, rapid detection and reporting and quarantine.  Annual vaccination in all grazing animals reduces the disease.  It is encouraged, that vaccinations are done 2-4 weeks before the season when outbreaks are expected. 

It is also very much important to speak to your local VET regarding the vaccination periods and dosage.  When vaccinating against any disease, keep the following in mind.  Always be informed. Ask as may questions as possible.  

• Have the adult animals been previously vaccinated?
• Are the female cattle pregnant?
• Are they heifers?
• Do I vaccinate calves?
• What is the minimum age required for vaccination?
• What operation am I dealing with?  Natural grazing for beef farming, feedlot or diary?

XoXo