Hot or Cold

These past few weeks have been grueling for my sinuses. One week it has been cold and the next it is hot! I wish it would make up its mind! For cattle the trend of being hot one day and cold the next, can cause respiratory diseases that can be fatal. Pneumonia a fast acting respiratory infection is common during a period like this. Once a calf has taken to the infection many antibiotics and vitamins will be needed to help boost the animal’s immune system.

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Pneumonia can be a very fast assassin. The animal can be fine one day and the next it could be barely walking. A few signs of pneumonia are downed head, white mucus from the nose or even a dry and pealing nose due to fever, constant coughing, and an un-fresh look about the cow, [2]. If you run across a cow that has the symptoms it is a good idea to gather it up a doctor it ASAP. Meds needed to get the job done are Baytril[2], Banamine, Neuflour, vitamin B-12, each being an antibiotic to fight respiratory disease.

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                Pneumonia is not only hard on the animal but the owner too. If the animal goes through many vaccinations and still does not come through, it will be a big loss for the cattle owner. Between the medicine and what the what the calf is worth the farmer can lose anywhere from $100-$1000 just from one loss. The most vulnerable conditions for a calf to catch pneumonia are poor air, vitamin deficiencies, and castration. 

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When Pneumonia is caught soon enough it is an easy fix and the animal will surely recover, but if caught to late it could be a long-term problem of respiratory problems or even death! Stay on top of things a check your cattle regularly.

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1)      http://blogs.desmoinesregister.com/dmr/index.php/2010/04/09/usda-report-boosts-cattle-prices/

2)      http://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/NewsEvents/CVMUpdates/ucm136815.htm

3)      http://www.ekinos.com.ar/new_ekinos/productos_veterinarios.php?lab=9&prod=262

4)      http://www.planbooktravel.com.au/region-images/NT/central-australia/central-australia-400x272/ooraminna-station-cattle-muster-dusty-setting.jpg/view

5) http://www.sodahead.com/fun/dead-cow-and-the-vet/blog-70571/?link=ibaf&imgurl=http://images.clipartof.com/small/12934-Dead-Cow-Lying-On-Its-Back-Its-Feet-Strait-Up-Clipart-Illustration.jpg&q=dead%2Bcow%2Bfrom%2Bpneumonia