Liver abscesses are associated with episodes of rumen acidosis, which are usually caused by carbohydrate overload. Rumen acidosis damages the rumen wall and allows bacteria to pass into the bloodstream and enter the liver, where they can cause abscesses to form. It is commonly observed in feedlot cattle and dairy cattle that are fed high […] Read more
Stories by John Campbell, DVM, DVSC
California survey provides insight into cattle abortions
An abortion outbreak in a cow herd can be one of the most frustrating issues that veterinarians and cattle producers can experience. Little can be done to change the situation, and it is often difficult to diagnose what is causing the problem to prevent it from occurring in the future. Fetal loss in cow-calf herds […] Read more
Timing of calving plays role in scours prevention
The timing of calving season has dramatically shifted in Western Canada over the last 20 years. Many producers are now calving in April, May and June rather than February, March and April. We can debate the advantages and disadvantages of various times of calving, but there is no doubt that the risk of cold and […] Read more
Bison mortality study focuses on malignant catarrhal fever
The most recent edition of the Canadian Veterinary Journal contains an observational study of bison mortality on 26 bison herds in Saskatchewan. One of the study’s primary objectives was to describe the risk of malignant catarrhal fever in the province’s bison population. MCF is caused by a viral infection from the ovine herpesvirus-2 virus. It […] Read more
Lead toxicity endangers cattle but also food safety issue
Lead toxicity is one of the most common toxicological events that affect beef cattle herds. The Western College of Veterinary Medicine’s disease investigation unit has worked with local veterinarians and producers to investigate these outbreaks. Here is an example of a particularly severe outbreak. A herd of 140 cows was turned out to pasture in […] Read more
Disease early in life has big effect on weaning weights
The income that cow-calf producers work so hard to earn is ultimately based on the weaning weights of their calves. Dr. Liesel Schneider and Dr. David Smith of Mississippi State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine recently presented interesting information about weaning weights at the International Society of Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics conference. The effect of […] Read more
Lesson can be learned from BVD outbreak in Germany
Bovine viral diarrhea virus is a common infection that is often regarded as one of the most important infectious diseases in cattle. An outbreak in Germany was recently described in the journal Heliyon, which highlighted the importance of biosecurity in preventing the spread of this devastating disease. BVD virus is genetically diverse and readily mutates, […] Read more
Jury still out on benefits of NSAIDs for respiratory disease
Bovine respiratory disease continues to be one of the most important production diseases in the cattle industry. Most cases occur in recently weaned calves shortly after arrival in the feedlot. Preventive strategies for respiratory disease include vaccination programs, preconditioning programs and reducing the stress of weaning, mixing and transportation. Metaphylactic antibiotics may be used in […] Read more
Cancer eye affects older cattle; early detection prevents spread
Bovine ocular squamous cell carcinoma, more commonly known as cancer eye, is the most common form of cancer affecting cattle in North America. The prevalence of this condition depends on geography. It is more common where cattle are exposed to higher levels of sunlight, such as in sub-tropical regions or in the southwestern United States. […] Read more
Preventing losses from IBR and BVDV
Infectious bovine viral rhinotracheitis and bovine virus diarrhea virus are two common cattle viruses that can cause infertility, reproductive loss, abortions and other problems within the cow-calf herd. The consequences of these infections in an unvaccinated herd can be devastating to a herd’s productivity. Canadian beef cow herds should be vaccinated for these viruses on […] Read more
