Using the Diagnostic Lab in Summer Pneumonia Cases Part 2: Nasal Swabs and Other Methods
Russ Daly, DVM, DACVPMProfessor, SDSU Extension Veterinarian, State Public Health Veterinarian, SDSU Veterinary & Biomedical Sciences Department
Pneumonia in pre-weaned calves is frustrating for cattle producers and veterinarians. A previous iGrow article introduced the concept of using the diagnostic lab to better understand these occurrences. In some cases, diagnostic testing can help veterinarians in guiding treatment and future preventive practices; it’s good for cattle producers to understand these methods. Lung tissue is a common post-mortem sample for the identification of specific pneumonia germs. But what about outbreaks where no calves have died? What samples, if any, might be useful from a diagnostic standpoint?
Nasal Swabs
A calf’s nose is the entry route for germs into the respiratory tract. Sampling the nasal passages is relatively easy. However, the germs present in the nostrils may not be the same as those causing the infection in the lower lungs, due to clearance mechanisms that keep them from descending deeper into the lungs. This complicates the interpretation of nasal swabs.
Management, Health, and Nutritional Considerations for Weaning Calves … and Potentially Making You More Money
By Karla H. Jenkins, Dee Griffin, Aaron Stalker- Nebraska-Lincoln Extension August 06, 2015 | 11:43 am EDT
Weaning time can be a stressful time for calves. Weaning calves at home and selling after the seasonal price pressure subsides can increase profitability. Reducing separation and handling stress, providing proper nutrition, and preconditioning against disease increases the value of the calves and improves their performance when they enter the growing and finishing period.
CALF HEALTH & OTHER PROCEDURES AT WEANING
Using low-stress handling techniques to ease calves away from their mothers boosts the vaccinations calves were given before bull turnout. Vaccines should include: Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD) virals including IBR (Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis), BVD (Bovine Virus Diarrhea), and BRSV (Bovine Respiratory Syncytial Virus); a BRD bacterial vaccine (examples include; Presponse, Pulmo-Guard, One-Shot, etc.) and a Clostridial such as a 7-Way Blackleg. Calves are very susceptible to parasites and an effective dewormer should be given as well. A growth implant approved for weaning calves will improve growth during the next 45 to 60 days post weaning for cattle not intended for replacement breeding stock.
The Building Fund is closer than ever to reaching it's initial goal of $600,000. In order to begin construction, the organization needs to raise $175,000. Every donation counts, there is no such thing as a donation that is too small or too large.
If you haven't had a chance to look into our Building Fund Cattle Program, you should go take a look! The program has an amazing list packages featuring some outstanding bulls.
If you would rather make a cattle or semen package donation, please visit
12 Steps to Getting Your Bull A.I. Certified
by Rick Fritsche, TLBAA Registrar
The A.I. Herd Sire Certification process is really a simple process of parentage verification, but can be confusing, time consuming, costly and frustrating if you don't follow TLBAA's recommended steps. Should you want to A.I. Herd Certify your bull, please call Rick at the TLBAA office first so he can explain the process to you, before you drop the bull off at the vet to be collected... or even more confusing, to have a DNA test done on him other than at the TLBAA authorized test site, Veterinary Genetics Lab (VGL), UC Davis, California without going through TLBAA. The DNA process is so that the parents can be DNA verified (Parent Verification) that they are indeed sire and dam of the bull for certification. The steps we recommend are:
1) Contact the TLBAA Registration Department to receive the "A.I. Herd Sire Certification Starter Paperwork/Forms"
2) These completed forms must be received back at the TLBAA Office with payment ($150.00 per certification).
3) If either Sire or Dam has not been DNA tested, they must also be tested. Their testing costs are included in the $150.00.
4) If either Sire or Dam has not been tested and either not owned by you or not at your location, you must contact the person who has them/owns them and request that they pull the hairs and mail them to UC Davis when they receive the DNA Forms.
5) If a Sire or Dam has not been tested and is deceased, a post mortum test can be done (at an additional $250.00 cost) if at least two of their larger teeth (preferred) are available (like from a head mount) or a waiver of the test must be requested of the board of directors at their next meeting and substantiated with any proof available (photos, owner statements, registration records, etc).
6) Once the bull, sire, and dam's information has been verified, TLBAA staff generate, through the UC Davis computerized system, DNA Test Forms that include the animal's to be tested information, a temporary case number, and bar codes.
7) These DNA Test Forms with instruction sheet are then sent to the respected owners of the animals to be tested as appropriate and applicable.
8) The Breeding Soundness and Health Evaluation Form (sent in your "Starter Kit"… #1 above) and appropriate tests should be started at this time at your local vet.
9) At least 20 tail hairs, plus hair bulbs, must be pulled and taped to the form and mailed to UC Davis California as per the instruction sheet (do not place in plastic baggie).
10) Once the tests have been completed by UC Davis (usually two to three weeks from receipt of tail hairs) a DNA marker report is email to TLBAA with results of whether it is probable or not that the sire and dam are the parents
11) If the parents are verified by the DNA tests, then the only further waiting is for the TLBAA office to receive the results of the Breeding Soundness and Health Evaluation tests and forms
12) Once the Health papers have been received by the TLBAA office and all is in order, tests negative, the bull is then "certified", assigned an AI Herd Sire Certification number and a certificate is mailed to the owner
Email or call Rick at (817) 625-6241 if you need more information!
August Transfer Special
50% off of ALL transfers
Cow Calf Corner
In Cow-Calf Corner, Glenn Selk talks about stockpiling bermudagrass for winter feed.
