Recognizing and Managing
Common Health Problems
of Replacement Show
Heifers
Floron C. Faries, Jr., DVM, MS
Professor and Extension Program Leader
Texas AgriLife Extension Service
Texas A&M System
College Station, TX 77843
http://extensionvetmed.tamu.edu
“My heifer’s eyes are
cloudy and runny.”
 Pink Eye

bacterial disease

excessive flow of tears

holding the eye partially closed

rubbing the eye

seeking shaded areas

ulcer develops

cornea becomes cloudy

immediate treatment

isolation of infected cattle
 IBR Virus Eye (Infectious Bovine
Rhinotracheitis)

aerosol transmission of this virus

may develop cloudy cornea

no ulceration

isolation of affected animals

vaccination of the whole herd
 Cancer Eye (Squamous Cell Carcinoma)

smooth plaques on the eyeball

ulcer or horn lesions on the eyelids

excessive flow of tears

heating or freezing therapies

surgical removal

eyeball and eyelids removal
 Photo Eye (Photosensitization)

hypersensitivity to sunlight

cloudiness of the cornea

non-pigmented tissues

sunburned

protection from sunlight
“My heifer has areas of hair loss
with skin lesions.”
 Ringworm Fungus (Dermatophytosis)

fungus infection

direct contact to calves

circumscribed grayish lesions

located on the face and neck

calves should be separated and treated
 Warts (Papillomatosis)

papilloma virus

transmitted to calves by direct contact

cauliflower-type growths

calves with warts should be isolated

warts dry and sluff
“During winter my heifer rubs her
head, neck and shoulders”
 Horn Fly Allergy (Allergic Dermatitis)

skin allergy

itch sensation

cattle rub from December through March

hair coat becomes sparse

reduce the horn fly population
“Occasionally my heifer is crippled
on one foot.”
 Foot Crack (Web Tear)

web of skin between the toes deeply cracked

damaged tissue must heal inside out

confined for a few weeks
 Foot Rot (Necrotic Pododermatitis)

draining infection with a foul odor

hot, swollen and painful foot

bacteria in mud mixed with manure

segregated for proper treatment

corrections of the unsanitary conditions
“My heifer coughs, protrudes her tongue and
breathes with her mouth open.”
 Infectious Lung Disease (Pneumonia)

fever, coughing and labored breathing

head and neck are outstretched

tongue is protruding

several viruses in concert with various bacteria

predisposing stress factors

isolated for treatment

vaccination plan for whole herd
 Fog Fever (Pulmonary Emphysema and
Edema)

fever is not present

coughing is minimal

respiratory distress is extensive

mouth breathing

extended tongue

drooling saliva

toxic reaction in the lungs

lush, green grass in spring or fall

handled with caution

cowherd should be moved from the lush pasture
“My heifer has a runny, snotty
nose.”
 Runny, Snotty Nose (Sinusitis)

nasal drainage

excess quantities of drainage from inflamed
sinuses

extreme hot or cold temperatures

windy conditions

irritants and allergens

viral and bacterial infections

use of antibiotics is contraindicated

low-grade fever

absence of fever
“My heifer has the staggers, went down and is
unable to rise.”
 Polio (Polioencephalomalacia)

cows are thin

low protein, low roughage, and high sulfate
diet

confined and fed a grain diet without roughage

downer cow attempts to stand

ankles remain flexed or knuckled over

immediate treatment
“My heifer suddenly died that before dying was
rapidly breathing, weak and feverish.”
 Lepto (Leptospirosis)

five serovars of bacteria

exposures to calves are from urine

fever, rapid and difficult breathing

kill unborn calves and nursing calves

vaccination of whole herd

vaccine failures may occur
 Blackleg (Clostridial Disease)

bacterial toxins (poisons)

spores from the soil

spores are ingested

go to muscles and remain dormant

a trigger breaks them out of dormancy

dead calves should be burned

7-way blackleg vaccine
vaccination of the whole herd

“My heifer is rapidly breathing, weak, feverish,
and scouring.”
 Scours (Enteritis-Colitis Septicemia)

ground becomes heavily contaminated with
germs from manure

kill baby calves from scours by dehydration
and septicemia

scours are caused by bacteria, viruses, and
protozoa in the intestines

rotovirus and coronovirus

E. coli and C. perfringens B, C, D

cryptosporidia and coccidia

provide clean maternity areas

vaccination program for the whole herd