Large Animal Sunday Schedule
Bovine Anaplasmosis: A New Look at an Old Threat
Dr. Isaac Jumper, DVM, PhD, DACVPM, Epidemiology
Bovine anaplasmosis is a well-known threat among cow-calf operations in many parts of the U.S. Caused by the bacteria Anaplasma marginale, bovine anaplasmosis produces disease characterized by anemia. Clinical signs observed in affected cattle may range from mild lethargy and weakness, to abortions, fever, icterus, and death. Infected individuals that survive will become persistently infected, convalescent carriers of A. marginale that serve as a source of transmission to herd mates. These carrier individuals may recrudesce to clinical disease if immunosuppression occurs for any reason (e.g., other disease, poor nutrition, etc.). Transmission of A. marginale within and between herds is achieved through ectoparasites such as ticks and biting flies, as well as iatrogenically through shared needles or other management practices that may move blood from one individual animal to another. Control strategies for bovine anaplasmosis in cow-calf herds have historically relied on a combination of antimicrobial use, vector control strategies, and biosecurity. Challenges to A. marginale control include increasing scrutiny and restrictions on antimicrobial use, movement of cattle between historically endemic and non-endemic areas, and lack of effective vaccine options, among others. This session will provide an overview of relevant biology, pathophysiology, and epidemiology of bovine anaplasmosis, discuss controls strategies for cow-calf herds, and review recent research.
Another Open Cow: Using Herd Data to Improve Cattle Health and Performance
Dr. Isaac Jumper, DVM, PhD, DACVPM, Epidemiology
Cattle health and production records are a useful tool for making evidence-based management decisions in all phases of beef cattle production. On cow-calf operations, cattle health and production records can be of particular use when evaluating reproductive efficiency, and troubleshooting problems with conception rates. Systems of record-keeping on cow-calf operations do not need to be complex to be useful, and practitioners are well-positioned to use the data generated from these records to investigate problems and provide recommendations for cattle health management. Paper records are often the most common form of data collection on cow-calf operations. Although recording events and measurements on paper is easy and convenient, electronic records are more easily summarized and analyzed. This session will provide a review of data management techniques that can be accomplished in spreadsheet software (e.g., setting up the spreadsheet, basic spreadsheet functions, summarizing data in graphs, etc.), as well as discuss useful metrics of reproduction, such as 21-day incidence of conception, that can be derived from data generated on cow-calf operations.
“Doc, We Have a Problem”: Investigating Neurologic Disease in a Cow-Calf Herd
Dr. Isaac Jumper, DVM, PhD, DACVPM, Epidemiology
When working with cattle populations, veterinarians are bound to encounter outbreaks of disease or decreased production. Although these situations can be stressful and time-consuming, they can also provide practitioners with an opportunity to strengthen client relationships through providing disease mitigation interventions and strategies that can have a profound impact on both client wellbeing and profitability. Veterinarians engaged in beef cattle production inherently work with populations, making knowledge of and skills in epidemiologic methods of disease investigation essential for bovine practitioners. In this session, an outbreak of disease in a cow-calf herd will be presented as an illustration of both the process of conducting an investigation of disease or decreased production, as well as common pitfalls to avoid in such investigations. Epidemiologic concepts such as measures of occurrence, association, and impact will be reviewed and applied, and investigation principles such as establishing a case definition and the use of diagnostic tests will be discussed.
Periparturient Disease Management in Small Ruminants
Dr. Caitlyn Mullins, DVM, MS; Resident, Large Animal Internal Medicine
Sheep and goats face unique metabolic challenges, predominantly hyperketonemia, in late gestation, particularly when carrying multiple fetuses. Other predisposing factors for pregnancy toxemia include inappropriate body condition, lack of adequate nutrient intake, and co-morbid conditions. Diagnosis of pregnancy toxemia is best obtained by objective measurement of blood beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) as subjective assessment of ketones in urine is influenced by other factors. While cut-off thresholds for diagnosing pregnancy toxemia vary, concern should arise when BHB > 1.0 mmol/L. Early detection of pregnancy toxemia can substantially improve outcome for both the female and fetuses but requires careful, daily observation of all late gestation animals starting 3-4 weeks pre-parturition for subtle and non-specific clinical signs. In mildly affected females, oral therapy with glucose precursors coupled with improved nutrition may be sufficient, but one should be aware that relapse can occur. If blood BHB is elevated and clinical signs have progressed to recumbency, prognosis for both doe or ewe and fetuses is guarded to poor, and emergent induction of parturition or immediate C-section to terminate the pregnancy is the best chance for saving the dam. Lambs and kids born to severely affected dams have decreased viability.
Restraining Livestock to achieve goals
Dr. Matt Miesner, DVM, MS, DACVIM(LA)
Safely and securely restraining patients to accomplish tasks results in better outcomes. Each situation presents different challenges when deciding on methods and techniques used to restrain the patient. We accept the challenge as part of the job, but relish the thought of not having to hit a moving target while suturing skin or having to dodge the flying hoof like an inside fastball. The ability to focus more on the procedure with an accommodating patient makes the process much more enjoyable. We want to provide the most safe, secure, and pleasant care we can while we’re doing what we need to do.
Practical Field Necropsy: Stepwise Technique and Common Diagnoses
Dr. Brad White, DVM, MS; E.J. Frick Professor, Production Medicine; Director, Beef Cattle Institute
Systematic field necropsy transforms individual mortality events into opportunities for herd health improvement. A consistent, stepwise approach increases efficiency and provides assessment of all major body systems. This session outlines practical necropsy techniques and describes case definitions and common findings for post-weaned cattle. Information gained from necropsy can be used to modify current preventative and therapeutic programs for animal health. Additionally, necropsy provides diagnostic value and can be used to refined live animal diagnostic parameters. This presentation will describe a systematic necropsy technique, outline common findings and discuss how to utilize necropsy findings to improve clinical diagnostic accuracy.