Much work has been done on how to prevent and manage animal disease outbreaks. The Animal Health Emergency Management Project has developed strategies, and Alberta Beef Producers released a handbook in 2018. A foreign animal disease outbreak such as foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) or African swine fever could be particularly devastating. This article will focus on […] Read more
Tag Archives Roy Lewis
More must be done to ensure supply of local anesthetic
We are all experienced with the use of a local anesthetic when a cavity is filled at the dentist. Sensation goes away for the couple hours that we are numb, but the great thing is the pain is totally removed and there is no need for a general anesthetic. As well, many high-end surgeries such […] Read more
It takes a team to protect livestock and producers’ health
Animal Health Week comes around once a year in October (Oct. 1-7 this year), sponsored by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association. The week has a theme and this year it is It Takes a Team. This refers to the entire team at your veterinary clinic, and I would like to explain the benefits of the […] Read more
Salmonella: deadly, reportable and can spread to humans
Salmonella cases are infrequent, but can be devastating and hit without warning. Depending on the type of salmonellosis, it can mimic other diseases and can be hard to diagnose.
Knowing when to treat is crucial when udder edema cases appear
UPDATED: September 26, 2025 – Producers sometimes have trouble recognizing udder edema. It is fluid accumulation within the udder and teats and ahead of the udder as bred cattle (primarily heifers) get close to giving birth. The fluid entrapment can lead to an uncomfortable condition and has the potential to cause mastitis. It could also impair long-term […] Read more
New products help treat horn and face flies in cattle
UPDATED: September 26, 2025 – Producers today have a larger arsenal of products available to combat horn flies and face flies compared to 15 years ago. These insects can cause considerable livestock weight loss and irritation issues. Horn flies are the ones we see on cattle’s backs in summer. They bite through the hide 20 […] Read more
Learn to identify symptoms of scours for early electrolyte treatment
UPDATED: September 8, 2025 – Electrolytes are our best bet when treating scours because it is the dehydration and/or acidosis that kills calves first. It’s important for producers who use this important tool to recognize the severity of the scours, either by how dehydrated or how acidotic (depressed) the calf is. What are the signs? […] Read more
Vitamins solve ringworm problem
UPDATED: August 21, 2025 – Ringworm can be a common condition, especially in young stock during the winter. It is caused by several fungi that are fairly widespread in the environment. Ringworm is usually not a big concern, except for two reasons: Ringworm develops as crusty circular lesions with hair loss, starting primarily on the eyes […] Read more
