How to actually handle 4 common summer cattle diseases

It is never good when your cattle suffer from diseases. They can reduce your performance and increase your expenses.

Many health problems can be effectively managed if detected early. This not only helps prevent or minimize losses but also empowers you, the cattle owner, to take proactive steps to prevent their recurrence or spread. Remember, your vigilance and prompt action are crucial. Always consult your veterinarian if you suspect a health issue in your cattle.

Though sickness can occur at any time of the year, here are four that tend to happen during summer. I’ve included some signs to look for and steps you can take to minimize its effects.

Pink eye diseases

Although this cattle disease can occur any time of the year, it is common during summer. It is caused by bacteria that get into either one or both eyes. As the bacteria responsible for the disease spreads via face flies, preventing the fly population is a suitable means of controlling the disease.

This disease can begin very suddenly. Generally, it starts with excessive tears in the infected eye. The animal will hold the eye partially closed while rubbing the eye, and it will seek a shaded area. An ulcer will develop in the middle region of the cornea, and a ring will form around the ulcer; usually, within a couple of days, the entire cornea of the eye will become cloudy,

After this occurs, the linings of the eyelids become red with mucus and pus. The ulcer deepens and then wholly covers the cornea. If left untreated, the eye will rupture, lose fluid, and collapse. This rupture can lead to blindness.

If you suspect one or more of your cows have pink eye, it’s essential to isolate the infected animals immediately. This not only prevents the infection from spreading but also gives you a sense of control over the situation. Remember, early isolation and treatment by a veterinarian are vital to eliminating the disease.

How to Treat Pinkeye Diseases

Treating cattle with pinkeye early enough is essential in preventing it from spreading. The signs will determine what treatment is needed, depending on the stage.

 Stage 1

Treating the infected cattle with a long-acting tetracycline such as Bio-mycin 200 or LA200 will be very effective at this stage. The recommended dose is 4.5cc per 100 lbs of body weight given subcutaneously or under the fold of the skin. A second dose given within 48 to 72 hours may increase the percentage of responding to treatment.

It is also recommended that you put a patch over the infected eye. The patch will prevent other irritants from getting in there, worsening the problem. It will also help with the cow’s increased sensitivity to sunlight.

Commercially available patches will work well for covering the eye. If you do not want to do that, 5″x6″ blue jean patches cut to size with glue on three sides, leaving the bottom open, will also work. To ensure that the patch stays on, use cattle backtag cement to glue it in place, making sure not to get any glue in the eye.

 Stage 2

Treatment with tetracycline at the same dose as stage 1 will do the trick here. A bulbar injection with either penicillin or dexamethasone in the white portion of the eye will work just as well.

 Stage 3

In this stage, tetracycline and a bulbar conjunctival injection will need to be given; you will also need to place an eyepatch. Also, suturing the third eyelid of the cow over the eye and closing it shut will be required.

Suturing the third eyelid over the eye will prevent debris or other irritants from getting in. It will also make their eye more comfortable, reducing excessive tearing and possibly shedding bacteria.

Another advantage of suturing the eyelid shut is that it will support a fragile cornea, helping prevent corneal rupture.

Disclaimer: Any suturing should be done by a veterinarian or someone who has been adequately trained to do that to avoid damaging the cow’s eye.

Warts disease

These are fibrous tumors of the skin and mucus membranes of cattle. Several strains of the papillomavirus are responsible for causing them. This virus is generally transmitted to cattle by direct contact with infected animals. In addition to using contaminated instruments, it can spread through biting flies, such as stable flies or horn flies.

The wart usually occurs on the head, neck, and shoulders. The fungus can also grow in the mouth or on specific reproductive organs of cattle.

To prevent warts from spreading, you need to isolate those with them. Isolation will also keep the other cattle from getting it. You will need to keep them separate for 3 to 12 months. This separation will give the cow time to build immunity to the virus. Warts will dry and fall off once the immune system kills the virus.

Grass tetany

Tetany typically occurs during years when we receive a good amount of rain in the spring. With abundant rainfall, grasses will proliferate and be lush and green. With the sudden growth, forages will be lacking in Magnesium, and the shortage of this mineral will cause grass tetany.

Usually, the cows affected by this are thin and graze on lush green pastures high in nitrogen and potassium. In addition to extreme weather conditions, calving, and nursing, unnecessary stress can also cause this condition.

The most common sign of this disease is that the animal will be staggering around. In addition, the animal may also toss its head around, start to bellow a lot, and then gallop around before going to the ground with convulsions.

If you believe that one of your animals is affected, call your vet immediately so they can begin raising the magnesium level in your cow’s blood.

One problem with this disease is that it can occur so rapidly that you may not even know they are having it until you find a dead cow. Prevention is the best course of action when dealing with this. In a previous post, “Keep an eye out for grass tetany,” I discuss this in more detail.

How to treat the disease

It can be difficult to treat grass tetany quickly because the cow’s death can occur relatively quickly. One day, the cow may look fine, but then the next, she will be dead.

The blood’s Magnesium levels must be promptly corrected to prevent grass tetany from worsening in your herd. There are a few different ways to do that.

If grass tetany is detected in your herd, rest assured that treatment options are available. Your veterinarian can administer an intravenous injection of Magnesium and Calcium solution to remedy this problem. This solution can work effectively, especially during the early stages of the disease, providing you with a sense of relief and confidence in managing the health of your cattle.

Suppose the problem is severe, and you must act quickly. In that case, the producer can inject the Magnesium/Calcium solution under the skin.

Some oral options are available to the producer. These options are generally to prevent any of your cows from relapsing. These oral sources of Magnesium are:

•  A Magnesium oxide powder for putting onto either feed or on the pasture
• Magnesium lick blocks
• Slow-release capsules
• Add soluble magnesium chloride or magnesium sulfate to hay or silage
• Adding Magnesium to concentrates

You can purchase these products from your veterinarian or local feed store.

Sudden calf death diseases

Nothing is more heartbreaking for a cattle producer than seeing a dead calf. It is especially heart-wrenching when it happens so suddenly.

The problem with the sudden death of a calf is that many things can cause the symptoms of heavy breathing, a fever, and, ultimately, sudden death. If this happens, you must have your vet perform a necropsy on the calf to determine what caused this.

Two of the most common culprits are Blackleg and Lepto, which are bacteria from the surrounding area that cause these infections. It is good to know that both of these diseases are preventable with proper vaccination. Your local vet can tell you if either of these diseases is expected in your area and what measures you can take to control them.

Though I only mentioned 4 of them here, many different types of diseases can affect your cattle herd. The Texas AgriLife Extension office in Bexar County has a paper discussing more of the ones you can come across throughout the year. It includes some symptoms as well as some management methods you can follow.