Valley Vet Supply

Preventing Calf Scours

Within the first few hours of life, a calf gets up and is likely to suckle everything within reach as it searches for the udder. In the process, the calf is at risk for picking up various pathogens. As these pathogens make their way to the gut, the calf can quickly develop scours and become dehydrated.

When pregnant cows have been vaccinated against bacterial and viral pathogens like E coli, Rotavirus and Coronavirus, they pass along the protection to calves through their colostrum. It’s important that the calf received adequate colostrum in order to achieve passive transfer of immunity from disease. You may wish to feed a supplemental dose of Colostrum, especially when the weather is poor. Cold, damp, and muddy conditions can increase the pathogen load and weaken a calf’s immune system.

Scour protection Antibiodies may be administered to newborn calves within the first 6 to 12 hours of life. They provide a degree of scour protection until the calf’s immune system is functional. Certain types of scours and pneumonia are caused by bacterial infections and may improve with the use of sulfas and Antibiotics.

Cryptosporidiosis (Crypto) is another possible cause of calf scours, which is resistant to treatment. The organism invades cells in the intestines and can quickly spread through a high percentage of the calf crop. Avoid buying calves to cross-foster, as this is the usual source of the organism.

Clean, dry calving areas also help prevent infection. Keep ‘em warm and dry!

Curious Pets Love Holiday Decorations

Holidays and the traditions that surround them make this time of year especially festive. From decorating a tree to hanging mistletoe, we invest a lot of time and thought into creating the perfect holiday atmosphere. Have you ever wondered if any of your traditions might lead to a holiday pet emergency? A decorated Christmas trees is beautiful, but some ornaments and decorations can pose risks to dogs and cats. Have you ever known a cat who could resist the shiny glass ornaments hanging off of the branches? They are irresistible! A few playful bats and suddenly the festively colored globe shatters on the floor. Glass fragments can cut sensitive paws and noses ,and inevitably end up in our bare feet! Tinsel, ribbons and even lights can be dangerous for cats, and sometimes for dogs too. The string-like consistency of these decorations can be very problematic if a pet swallows the material. The string can lodge in the pet’s intestines and actually generate a saw-like motion, which could lead to perforation and eventually to peritonitis. Veterinarians refer to this as a “linear foreign body” and the outcome can be deadly. It’s not something we’d normally think about, but curious pets often wonder what’s wrapped inside of those gifts under the tree. Presents that contain any sort of food can be sniffed out and irresistible to some pets! Sometimes mere curiosity can lead an enthusiastic pet to eat ribbon, bows or wrapping paper. When giving your pets their presents, be sure to monitor them with their new toys or chews. The excitement of the season can lead to overeating and stomach upset for every member of the family!

Holiday Foods may lead Pets to the ER

There is one simple thing you can do to avoid a trip to the animal ER this holiday season. Avoid the temptation to feed pets from the table! The skin of a holiday turkey, fatty parts of a ham, leftover gravy and other rich foods can all trigger an episode of pancreatitis.

Pancreatitis means inflammation of the pancreas, an organ that provides digestive enzymes and insulin. Under typical circumstances, these powerful chemicals help break down proteins, fats, and carbohydrates so the body can make use of the food.

For some reason, these enzymes are occasionally triggered early and actually start damaging the pancreas itself, causing severe inflammation of the organ and surrounding tissues. This is a very painful condition. It is seen more frequently around the holidays when pets eat too much fatty food from holiday meals. This fat is thought to trigger the disease.

Pet owners first notice that their pets just don’t feel well. Then they may have a painful abdomen that gets worse. Often they can develop diarrhea. The classic symptom is vomiting.

Even though symptoms range from mild to life-threatening, acute pancreatitis is a very painful condition. Pets will whine or cry, and often walk with a hunched up appearance. This is a sure sign of pain that may require veterinary care. Dehydration, heart arrhythmias, or blood clotting issues may occur without quick medical attention.

If you notice a change in your pets eating behavior or stance, or any signs of abdominal pain, especially with vomiting, call your veterinarian for early treatment. This could save your pet’s life. Lori H

Be Prepared to Assist with Calving

Calving season can be unpredictable. You can’t eliminate all of the surprises and late night barn checks, but difficult births are much easier to manage when you’re prepared. First-calf heifers labor longer, tire easily, and are more likely to require assistance. Only a small percentage of calving problems come from seasoned cows.

Before stepping in to help, assess her progress by answering these questions:
Has the cervix dilated?
Has the water sac broken?
Will the calf fit through the pelvis?
Is the calf in normal birthing position?

When the cervix is fully dilated, active delivery begins and contractions become very strong. The calf should be right-side up in forward position with both front legs and the head extending into the birth canal. If the calf presents normally, most births will progress without your assistance. The cow will often lie down at this point and begin to push.

Once her water has broken, it’s important to see progress. When the calf moves from water to air, its first instinct is to take a breath. If the calf doesn’t present normally or progress hasn’t been made in a 30 minute period of laboring, determine whether you can assist or need to call on a veterinarian. Time is crucial. Most calves lost at birth will die from suffocation or from injuries associated with delayed calving.

If you make the decision to assist with the birth, wash and disinfect all equipment, your arms and hands, and the cow’s perineum to prevent bacteria and infection. Use OB gloves and OB lube for lubrication and protection during vaginal exams. If using OB chains, secure them around the calf’s legs and then pull alternately to gradually increase traction. This will help ease the head and shoulders free. A calf puller is a worthy investment for most cow-calf operations. It puts traction on the calf and the counterthrust against the cow for quicker delivery with less effort. Lori H