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Arguably the most significant health concern regarding dairy production is that of mastitis. By definition, mastitis is inflammation of the mammary gland of the cow. This inflammation is typically a result of invasion and infection of the mammary gland by bacterial organisms. When considering the strategic treatment and prevention of mastitis, bacterial organisms are commonly divided into two groups: contagious and environmental pathogens.

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Getting young stock off to a good start is critical to the success of any livestock operation. For most livestock species, the successful transfer of maternal immunity from a dam to her offspring is the first step and also the cornerstone of neonatal health. Whether we are discussing foals, calves or goat kids, all rely heavily on the ‘passive transfer’ of immunity by means of the first milk or colostrum to provide protection from disease.

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If you’ve been in the cattle business long you have probably heard of the downer cow syndrome, or chances are, have had a downer cow of your own. This is a very common presentation and vets frequently get called out to examine cows that, for any number of reasons, are down and cannot get up. There is some irony in this condition as the apparent superficial problem is quiet easy to identify – the cow’s inability to rise. However, identifying the underlying cause for her apparent problem can be challenging and complex, hence the term, downer cow ‘syndrome’.

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This time of year, many horse owners take the opportunity to examine their horse’s body condition as winter weather approaches. This is well advised as many horses across the Ozarks spend a significant amount of time outside during the cold, and at times, inclement weather of winter. Age, size, nutrition, hair coat and body condition all play a role. In this issue we will focus on the most common causes of a poor body condition in an otherwise healthy horse and explore ways to improve your horse’s condition.

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One of our readers had requested an article in regards to trichomoniasis. This happens to be a very timely topic as Missouri has seen a recent increase in the diagnosis of this disease and has implemented more rigorous testing requirements for bulls entering the state in an effort to limit its spread.

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In the last issue we introduced the topic of bacterial pneumonia in cattle and discussed the significance of the disease, the basic mechanisms involved that result in pneumonia and effective prevention strategies. In this issue our focus will be on prompt and accurate diagnosis, followed by currently recommended treatment protocols.

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Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is arguably the most economically significant health concern for the beef cattle industry. Shipping Fever, respiratory disease complex and pneumonia are all common synonyms used to describe BRD. Given its significance, there is a wealth of information available regarding the condition. The purpose of this article will be to provide a general overview and a basic understanding of BRD and the diagnostic and treatment tools available to cattle producers as well as currently recommended prevention strategies.

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Most horse owners I know have at least one "easy keeper". These horses seem to require very little in terms of nutrition to maintain their body condition. Often the battle is in keeping them from becoming obese and horse owners go to great lengths, even what seems like near starvation to prevent these "easy keepers" from getting fat. As with all species, unchecked obesity comes with great health risks and for horses, Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) is a condition not too uncommon for the overweight horse.

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Implanting calves with growth promoting implants is one of the most profitable practices for cattle producers. Unfortunately, my experience suggests that many local producers are simply not taking advantage of growth promoting implants in their calves. This could be due in part to a lack of familiarity with implants and their appropriate use or potentially, a deficiency in management strategy necessary to realize benefits.

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This time of the year it is common to see cows standing in the shade and wading in ponds in an effort to find relief from the heat. Unfortunately, the summer sun is not the only factor affecting heat stress on cattle grazing Southwest Missouri pastures.

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