Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) in calves has become the predominant reason for young calves to receive antibiotic treatments. | File photo

Risk factors identified for respiratory disease

Calf health is a major focus for beef cow-calf producers and their veterinarians for good reason. A recent paper in the journal, Translational Animal Science, highlights some of the findings from the western Canadian cow-calf surveillance network focusing on calf health issues. Dr. Cheryl Waldner and colleagues from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine, the […] Read more

The shortage is much greater than just a lack of veterinarians. It extends to veterinary technicians and other staff. It certainly is a challenging time for rural, mixed practices especially. | Getty Images

Veterinarian shortage likely to be long-lived

Staff shortages and being overworked are common themes at veterinary clinics in Western Canada. At the last few conferences I’ve attended, it seems to be the most prevalent topic of conversation. Several factors are cited as causes for the shortage. We have at least anecdotally seen an increase in retirements of the baby-boomer generation of […] Read more

A western Canadian study found an increased risk of cows being open in herds where a bull tested positive for Campylobacter fetus.  |  Paula Larson photo

Sexually transmitted infections can hurt bull performance

Bulls can be long-term carriers of various infectious bacteria and parasites that can potentially cause a loss of fertility in cow-calf herds. Some of these pathogens are transmitted through sexual activity and can lead to early embryonic loss or abortion, which results in a higher percentage of cows being open at pregnancy testing time. I […] Read more


Researchers at the University of Guelph’s Ontario Veterinary College have found that a single iodine navel dip was not effective in preventing umbilical infections in dairy calves. They speculated that the antiseptic protection from a single dip may start to decrease 15 minutes after application and that multiple applications might be necessary.  |  File photo

One iodine navel dip does not prevent umbilical infections

Umbilical infections are a common problem many cow-calf producers will occasionally deal with in young calves. The umbilical cord connects the fetus to the placenta during gestation, allowing the movement of nutrients and water to the fetus, as well as the removal of waste products. The umbilical cord is a complex structure that encompasses two […] Read more

Summer pneumonia can affect calves as young as one to two weeks of age or cause problems later while on pasture, usually at less than three months of age.  |  File photo

Pneumonia outbreaks can affect nursing calves on pasture

Pneumonia is often considered a disease of weaned calves in the feedlot and that is the most common presentation of the disease in cattle. However, in some situations, nursing calves on pasture can be severely affected by pneumonia outbreaks. This disease is sometimes known as summer pneumonia or enzootic pneumonia. It can affect calves as […] Read more


bull broken penis

Penile hematoma is common breeding injury among bulls

It’s that time of year where most of the bulls have been turned out and are hopefully taking care of business this summer. However, a common breeding injury can interfere with the bull’s success during the breeding season. That injury is sometimes known as a “broken penis” but is probably better named a penile hematoma. […] Read more

Studies have shown that a single oral dose of toltrazuril given to young calves can help prevent coccidiosis in beef herds, but other studies also warn about the potential for resistance.  |   Paula Larson photo

Coccidia parasites could develop resistance to toltrazuril

Coccidiosis is a common parasitic disease in western Canadian beef and dairy herds that can cause significant disease outbreaks and economic losses. The primary clinical signs are usually diarrhea, unthriftiness and poor growth rates. It can infect all farm animal species including poultry, pigs, sheep and cattle. However, the parasites that cause coccidiosis are host […] Read more

Surveys have shown that less than 20 percent of cow-calf producers use implants in their suckling calves.  |  File photo

Growth implants can aid development in nursing calves

The use of growth-promotant implants in nursing calves is one of the most cost-effective strategies for improving growth and feed efficiency in the pre-weaning period. Implants have been shown to make a significant increase in weaning weights of calves in many research trials. The weaning weight improvements are often at least 15 to 30 pounds […] Read more


Grass tetany is caused by low magnesium in the blood and is often known as grass staggers or hypomagnesemic tetany. | File photo

Grass tetany can have dramatic consequences for cattle

Earlier this spring we had some desperately needed rain in parts of Western Canada. We still need more moisture in many areas but the rain in some locations will at least give the grass a good start in the pastures. However, after a recent phone conversation with another veterinarian I was reminded of a condition […] Read more

We are approaching the time of year when lead poisoning is commonly seen in beef cattle in Western Canada. | File photo

Lead poisoning often seen when cattle are put on pasture

I was recently working on a herd investigation that involved neurological symptoms in young calves. We are suspecting that the symptoms are caused by some sort of toxin because there is no evidence of infectious disease. At the time that I am writing this column, I still don’t have a definitive diagnosis, but the case […] Read more