Miscellaneous Non-Infectious Diseases
Common Core Standards Addressed!
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CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.9-10.6 Compare the point of view of two or more
authors for how they treat the same or similar topics, including which details
they include and emphasize in their respective accounts.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.11-12.3 Evaluate various explanations for actions or
events and determine which explanation best accords with textual
evidence, acknowledging where the text leaves matters uncertain.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.11-12.7 Integrate and evaluate multiple sources of
information presented in diverse formats and media (e.g., visually,
quantitatively, as well as in words) in order to address a question or solve a
problem.
Bell Work!
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Describe three causes of infertility in cows.
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What is dystocia?
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Why do you think that a heifer calf born twin to a bull
would be infertile?
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Describe three factors that could cause a female
animal to have an abortion.
Terms:
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Adhesion
Diagnosis
Epidemiology
Estrous cycle
Gestation
Hyperthermia
Hypothermia
Infertililty
Infertility problems
The value of a breeding animal is based on its ability to
reproduce.
 Infertility refers to an animals inability to produce offspring.
Infertility is both a male and female problem.
 Some animals such as dairy cows may develops cystic ovaries.
This produces a condition where the female will not become
pregnant. The animal will exhibit signs of heat but will remain
infertile until the cyst is ruptured by hormone treatment or
manual rupture of the cyst during palpation.
 Scar tissue know as adhesions in the female tract can limit
movement of the ova and sperm preventing fertilization.
 Heifers may have normal cycles but fail to breed as a result of
hereditary defects.
 A heifer born twin to a bull is known as a “freemartin” heifer and
is seldom fertile.
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Reproductive Info.
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Mares are seasonal breeders and infertile
except during the breeding season stimulated
by increased day light, generally in March.
The main reason for infertility in the male is
poor semen quality.
Poor semen quality may be the result of heat
stress, poor nutrition, or diseases of and
damage to the testicles.
Lameness also inhibits the males ability to
breed.
When purchasing male breeding stock always
have your veterinarian collect a semen
sample for testing.
Pregnancy Problems
Termination of the pregnancy prior to full
term birth is known as an “abortion”.
 Pregnancy problems are often the result of
an infection of some type.
 Nutritional deficiencies may be a problem
in stage 1 of the pregnancy.
 Embryonic and fetal death may be caused
by stress, chemical, drugs or by native
plants.
 Dystocia is the term for difficult or impossible
birth. Dystocia could be the result of a small
birth canal in young females.
 Abnormal position of the fetus could also
be a problem.
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Hyperthermia
Animals subjected to severe heat
stress may suffer from “hyperthermia”.
(increased body temperature)
 Inadequate heat loss may affect
body functions.
 Heat stroke and heat exertion can
occur in animals, just as it does in
man.
 Cerebral edema may occur following
a body temp. of 110 degrees.
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Hypothermia:
“Hypothermia” may result if an animal exposed to extreme cold
temperatures for a long period of time.
 If an animals body temperature falls below 90 degrees
symptoms of hypothermia occur. If the body temperature falls
below 50 degrees it is generally terminal.
 Newborn animals are in danger because they will be unable to
stand and nurse.
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Disease Prevention:
Poor nutrition can make animals susceptible disease.
 Rules for nutrition management programs would include the
following;
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◦ Provide feed with adequate protein, carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins
and fats.
◦ Provide adequate high quality forage
◦ Sufficient clean water
◦ Prevent overgrazing
◦ Ensure that newborn animals receive colostrum milk as soon after birth as
possible.
◦ Provide shelter with space and ventilation.
◦ Provide shelter from temperature extremes.
Prevention of disease transmission:
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To prevent disease transmission and infection of animals follow
these guidelines;
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If possible raise replacement animals.
Purchase clean, tested animals.
Test purchased stock before arriving at your facility.
Isolate purchased replacements for six weeks.
Isolate diseased animals.
Control parasites
Prevent animal contact.
Dispose of diseased and dead animals by burying the carcass.
Disinfect tools used for branding, castration , dehorning and vaccination.
Vaccinations:
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To increase the level of immunity of your stock follow these
guidelines;
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Vaccinate breeding stock against venereal diseases.
Vaccinate pregnant dams so that new born animals will be resistant to postnatal disease.
Vaccinate nursing animals.
Vaccinate young animals.
Provide booster shots when possible.
The End!