Beef Health
Topic #3082
Ashlee Gibson
Objectives
To identify general health symptoms
 To understand causes, signs, prevention,
and control of different diseases
 To know ways and location to administer
medicine

General Health Information

Body Temperature
 Range
of 100.5 F to 103 F (101.5 F)
 Taken rectally
General Health Information

Respiration
 Rate
of breathing
 10 to 30 breaths per minute
General Health Information

Heart Rate (Pulse)
 Regular
throbbing caused in the arteries by
the contractions of the heart.
 When taking a pulse, count for 15 seconds
and then multiply by four to get a full minute
reading.
 40 to 70 beats per minute
General Signs of Illness

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Head down
Not alert
In the corner
Will not stand up
Coughing
Nasal or eye discharge
Diarrhea
Heavy Breathing
Rough coat
Change in body temperature
http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/graphics/photos/jul00/k8930-2i.jpg
Respiratory Diseases

“Shipping Fever”
 Cause:
Viral or bacterial
 Sign: high fever, coughing, weight loss,
diarrhea, nasal and eye discharge, could
cause abortion
 Prevention: Vaccination
 Control: Antibiotics

Example: IBR, BVD, BRSV, Pasteurella
Clostridial Diseases

Blackleg & Malignant Edema
 Cause:
Organisms in soil that enter through
mouth or open sore
 Signs: Swelling over heavy muscle areas.
Gas bubbles and fluid beneath skin
 Prevention: Vaccination
 Treatment: Penicillin
Digestive Diseases

Caused from incorrect feeding or rations
 Bloat
 Flounder
Digestive Disease

Bloat: Gas build up in rumen
 Cause:
Rich feeds
 Sign: Bulge towards last rib and hip
 Treatment: Take away feed, movement, in
severe cases stomach tube or puncture is
needed
Digestive Disease
http://agnews.tamu.edu/dailynews/stories/ANSC/photos/Mar1605a-lr.jpg
Digestive Diseases

Flounder- inflammation of hoof wall
 Cause:
high concentration of feed
 Sign: limping
 Treatment: Could lead to lameness
External Parasites

Flies, Lice, Mites, and Grubs
 Annoy
and irritate and transmit disease
 Sign: Visible, rubbing, hair loss
 Control: Face oilers dust bags, ear tags with
insecticides, spraying or dipping cattle with
insecticides
http://www.jefferslivestock.com/ssc/assets/product_images/Livestock/CattleRubPW.C1.jpg
Internal Parasites

Roundworms, Tape worms, and Flukes
 Attach
to wall of digestive tract
 Signs: Poor weight gain, rough hair coat,
diarrhea or constipation
 Prevention and Treatment: Dewormer
http://www.valleyvet.com/ct_search_results.html?start=81
Other Common Diseases

Foot rot
 Cause:
Bacteria enters through cut in hoof
 Sign: Limping
 Prevention: Keep pasture of feedlot clear of
sharp objects and dry pen
 Treatment: Antibiotics and/or foot wrap
Other Common Diseases

Warts
 Cause:
Virus
 Sign: Growth that looks
like a cauliflower
 Prevention: Isolation of
infected animals
 Treatment: Vaccines or
manually remove
http://www2.dpi.qld.gov.au/images/2757.jpg
Other Common Diseases

Ringworm
 Cause:
Fungus
 Sign: Loss of hair
 Prevention: Isolate
and keep pen dry
 Treatment: fungicides
or sunlight
http://www.vetmed.wisc.edu/pbs/zoonoses/Systemic%20mycoses/ringwormcow.html
Other Common Diseases

Pink eye
 Cause:
eye infected by
bacteria
 Sign: eye discharge, white
dot in middle of eye
 Prevention: Fly control, keep
pen clean
 Treatment: Keep in cool,
darkened pen, apply
antibiotic ointments
Pink Eye
http://www.flycontrol.novartis.com/includes/teasers/images/en/cow_fly.gif
http://www.flycontrol.novartis.com/includes/teasers/images/en/cow_fly.gif
Immunization


Pick the type of vaccine for diseases that need
to be controlled
Some vaccinations prevent more than one
disease
http://www.westernranchsupply.com/pic/smkc8p5s.jpg
Ways to Administer Medicine
Intramuscular (IM)
 Intranasal
 Intravenous (IV)
 Oral
 Subcutaneous (Sub Q) Under the skin

Where to inject?
In front of shoulder
 Not in rear
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http://www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/bqa/images/bqa-5.gif
Conclusion
Cattle show general health signs if they
don’t “feel good”
 Specific health problems

 Prevented
by vaccines
 Controlled by antibiotics

Specific ways to administer medicines