bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On the farm procedures, anesthesia and analgesia
Authors: Wolfe Cindy
Published: February 2023

Common on-farm small ruminant procedures include usual routine husbandry practices such as docking, disbudding and castration. It seems that more people own pet sheep, goats, and/or camelids than a decade ago. These pets may require additional procedures such as castration of older animals and teeth care. Historically these procedures were performed without attention to anesthesia and analgesia. Roadblocks to implementing better pain mitigation include practicality, cost of treatments, availability of legal-to-use drugs, and determining meat and milk withdrawal times. In order for veterinary practitioners to perform procedures and provide better pain mitigation and potentially teach some of these methods to progressive producers, we need pharmaceutical companies, other agency partners, and regulatory agencies to work with us to overcome current obstacles. Local anesthetics such as lidocaine or mepivicaine are not approved for use in the small ruminant species in the US. Use of these agents would also require a change in the thought process as adding a step to any process requires more time to complete the procedure. Changing peoples’ behavior is challenging unless there are obvious benefits such as improved weight gains or less procedural complications documented.
Taking the mystery out of food animal surgery for the new graduate
Authors: Baird Aubrey N. "Nickie”
Published: February 2023

Throughout veterinary school we are instructed on the ideal technique for a number of surgical procedures. You may even consult some of the many good references that are readily available. Unlike my time in veterinary school, you even have internet videos to watch. All of this will do a lot to help you prepare for life after graduation. However, none of your food animal patients will have sat through lectures, read books or watched those same videos so things may not be exactly as you expect when YOU get on the farm. Our goal in this presentation will be to discuss some common procedures and prepare you to do them uncommonly well, even when it is not exactly like the book. Come prepared with questions and we will make this an interactive session. This is not a presentation on antibiotic use. We must certainly be aware of all the changing regulations on appropriate use of antibiotics and never abuse or overuse antibiotics. However, there is a decrease in post-operative complications in many procedures when peri-operative antibiotics are used. Remember these are most effective when first given pre-operatively to reach blood levels prior to making an incision.
effect of Celmanax™ SCP on fecal pathogen shedding, health, and performance of preweaned Holstein dairy calves
Authors: Raabis S. , Ollivett T. L.
Published: February 2023

Diarrhea in preweaned dairy calves is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Optimizing health in this crucial period without antibiotics is of primary interest. Celmanax™ SCP (CSCP) contains derivatives of Saccharomyces cerevisiae cell wall blended with fermentation products. Mannan oligosaccharides (MOS) are yeast cell wall components with binding sites for Gram negative bacteria that lead to pathogen removal. MOS and β-glucans may produce immunomodulatory effects . Dosing with S. cerevisiae has been shown to prevent clinical signs in calves challenged with Salmonella spp. Additionally, S. cerevisiae lowered fecal scores pre- and postweaning (Alugongo et al, 2016]. Our objective was to investigate the effect of CSCP supplementation in Holstein dairy calves, on fecal pathogen shedding, overall health and average daily gain (ADG) during the preweaning period.
accuracy of field diagnosis and key diagnostic findings in feedlot cattle diagnosed with acute interstitial pneumonia in southwest Kansas at the time of necropsy
Authors: Bennett B. , Schwandt E. F. , Henningson J. N. , Thomson D. U.
Published: February 2023

Acute interstitial pneumonia (AIP) is a non-infectious respiratory disease that affects the beef cattle industry and has been identified as one of the costliest diseases affecting feedlot cattle. Causative agents of AIP have been identified in grazing cattle; however, AIP cases in finishing feedlot cattle needs more research to identify and verify etiology, treatment options, and further define causative agents. The objectives of this study were to determine the accuracy of field diagnosis of AIP, determine the histological and infectious profiles of multiple organs of AIP affected cattle, and to define the production status and physical characteristics of AIP affected cattle.
Quantifying the relationship between calving ease and physiological indicators of trauma in beef calves
Authors: Pearson J. M. , Homerosky E. R. , Caulkett N. A. , Levy M. , Campbell J. R. , Pajor E. A. , Windeyer M. C.
Published: February 2023

Calf survival is crucial to successful cow-calf operations. One major factor that impacts calf health and survival is the amount of difficulty experienced during the birthing process. Assisted calves are often born weak, which can interfere with normal neonatal behaviors such as ingesting colostrum, leading to failed transfer of passive immunity and increased morbidity and mortality before weaning. Few studies have quantified physiological indicators of trauma in calves assisted at birth, nor have the effects of trauma on passive immunity been thoroughly assessed. The objective of this study is to quantify the associations of calving ease, calf vigour, and birth L-lactate, with trauma biomarkers and passive immunity in newborn beef calves.
Prepartum application of internal teat sealant and/or intramammary amoxicillin on dairy heifers
Authors: Machado V. S. , Bicalho R. C.
Published: February 2023

Intramammary infusion of antimicrobials (IA) and application of an internal teat sealant (ITS) at the end of the lactation is a common strategy to prevent and treat intramammary infections during the dry period. In heifers, pre-calving IA has been reported to improve udder health and milk quality. However, the effect of ITS in heifers housed in free-stall barns is still unknown. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of prepartum application of ITS and/or IA on udder health of dairy heifers.
Association of immediate postpartum calcium concentration with clinical diseases, culling, reproduction and milk production in Holstein cows
Authors: Neves R. C. , Leno B. M. , Curler M. D. , Thomas M. J. , Overton T. R. , McArt J. A. A.
Published: February 2023

The objectives of our study were to determine the association of plasma Ca concentration collected within 12 h of parturition with: 1) the risk of clinical diseases (retained placenta [RP], metritis, displaced abomasum [DA], and clinical mastitis) in the first 60 d in milk (DIM), 2) the risk of culling in the first 60 DIM, 3) the risk of pregnancy to first service, and 4) milk production.
Estrous characteristics of dairy heifers treated at different stages of the estrous cycle with two prostaglandin formulations
Authors: Veronese Anderson , Marques Odinei , Moreira Rafael , Belli Anna , Bilby Todd R. , Chebel Ricardo C.
Published: February 2023

Prostaglandin (PG) F2a is commonly used to synchronize the estrus of dairy heifers, but its effectiveness is dependent on the phase of the estrous cycle (PEC) at treatment. Cloprostenol sodium (CLO) is a synthetic analogue of PGF2a, which may have differential effects on luteolysis and estrus behavior compared with natural PGF2a molecules [i.e. dinoprost tromethamine (DIN)]. We hypothesized that treatment of heifers in early diestrus (ED; 4 to 6 d) with CLO would improve estrous detection rate, shorten the interval from treatment to onset of estrous, and enhance estrous characteristics compared with DIN treatment.
Validation of commercial luminometry swabs for enumeration of total bacteria and coliform counts in colostrum feeding equipment
Authors: Renaud D. L. , Kelton D. F. , LeBlanc S. J. , Haley D. B. , Jalbert A. , Duffield T. F.
Published: February 2023

Colostrum feeding is an integral component of neonatal calf care with many effects on calf health and productivity, yet failure of passive transfer remains common on many dairy farms. A sufficient quantity and quality colostrum must be fed quickly to the newborn calf while minimizing bacterial contamination. Colostrum with a total bacteria count (TBC) >100,000 cfu/ml may impair IgG absorption and contribute to disease. Adenosine triphosphate ATP bioluminescence swabs offer a potential rapid calf-side alternative to traditional bacterial culture. The reagents in the swabs produce a light-generating reaction when in contact with bacterial ade¬ nosine triphosphate, which is quantified in relative light units (RLU) with a luminometer. The objective of this study was to validate the HygienaTM AquaSnap (AS), SuperSnap(SS), PRO-Clean (PC) and MicroSnap (MS) swabs as well as visual hygiene assessment for detection of elevated bacterial counts in or on colostrum-feeding equipment.
Salmonella Heidelberg
Authors: Sockett D. C. , Aulik N. A. , Deering K. M. , Klos R. F. , Valley A. M.
Published: February 2023

Salmonella is endemic in modern dairy operations. Colonization of newborn calves typically occurs at birth although in-utero transmission has been reported. Most of the time when newborn calves are colonized with Salmonella spp., there are no issues with calf health with the caveat that the calves receive an adequate quantity of good quality colostrum within 2 hours of birth, they receive at least 1.5 gallons of milk or its equivalent in milk replacer each day, there is adequate space and heat or cold stress is minimized. However, not all Salmonella behave the same way in newborn calves. This report describes a very dangerous, multi-drug resistant (MDR) strain of Salmonella Heidelberg that can cause high mortality (> 25%) in well managed dairy operations. In addition, this same strain of Salmonella has a high potential to cause illness and hospitalization of calf care workers as well.
Effect of injectable castration administered at feedlot entry on gain performance, behavior, testosterone production, and serum haptoglobin concentration in beef bulls
Authors: Powell J. G. , Ball J. J. , Kegley E. B. , Cox D. R. , Roberts S. L. , Richeson J. T.
Published: February 2023

The USDA estimates 15 million castration procedures are performed on bull calves in the United States annually. These are performed to reduce aggressiveness and sexual activity, facilitate handling, prevent unwanted breeding, and improve the meat quality of steers. Currently, no commercially available injectable sterilization methods exist for beef cattle in the US. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the effect of a zinc solution as an injectable castration method when administered to beef bull calves at feedlot entry on performance, behavior, testosterone production, and serum haptoglobin concentration.
Comparing Neospora caninum serology results with pregnancy success and subsequent congenital infection in a South Dakota commercial cow calf herd
Authors: Daly R. F. , Krueger H. C. , Perry G. A.
Published: February 2023

A 300-cow spring-calving commercial beef herd in northeastern South Dakota experienced an unusually high rate of reproductive failure in a group of home-raised and-bred first-calf heifers during the 2015 spring calving season. In the course of a small-scale case-control investigation, Neospora caninum seropositivity was associated with reproductive loss in individual animals. As a result, the herd embarked upon a prospective serologic monitoring program to better understand the dynamics of Neospora infection in the herd, including incidence rates in replacement heifer groups, correlation with pregnancy, and incidence of congenital infection.
Application of the matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry method to identify Moraxella spp isolated from cattle eyes
Authors: Robbins Kara , Dickey Aaron , Clawson Michael L. , Loy John Dustin
Published: February 2023

Infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis (IBK) is an economically significant disease caused by the Gram-negative bacterium Moraxella bovis. Moraxella bovoculi also secretes virulence factors and is the most frequently isolated species from bovine eyes during IBK outbreaks. Whole genome sequencing has presented extensive genetic differences between M. bovoculi isolated from the eye and nasopharynx (NP) of cattle with and without IBK. At present, distinguishing between Moraxella species in clinical laboratory specimens is time consuming and relies on expensive and complex biochemical testing, of which reactions are not always consistent. Nucleic acid assays (PCR RFLP) can distinguish species, but can be costly and do not work on all strains. Identification of the specific etiologic agent during an IBK outbreak is critical to assist veterinarians implement the proper prevention and treatment strategies. Matrix assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry is an emerging tool in bacterial identification that is rapid, inexpensive, and provides advantages over current identification methods. The overall goal of this study was to determine the accuracy of the MALDITOF MS method as applied to Moraxella spp isolated from bovine eyes and compare it to existing identification methods.
Extended withdrawal time (EWDT) of drugs to prevent residues in food following extra label use
Authors: Sidhu Pritam K. , Gehring Ronnette , Tell Lisa A. , Baynes Ronald E. , Mzyk Danielle A. , Riviere Jim E.
Published: February 2023

Safety of food originated from animals is an emerging global health problem, and ensuring food safety is a challenge for the producers and governments who deal with protecting the food supply chain from contamination with hazardous microbes, chemicals and/or drugs. In the United States (US), the Food Animal Residue Avoidance Databank (FARAD) program is a unique consortium of scientific experts who help maintain a proper balance among animal health, food safety, and regulatory policies. Veterinarians must often use drugs in an extra-label manner to treat food animals due to limited availability of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved drugs. Extra-label drug use (ELDU) is allowable under the Animal Medicinal Drug Use Clarification Act (AMDUCA). Following ELDU, and before products derived from the treated animal can be sold and marketed, an extended withdrawal time (EWDT) needs to be established, based on appropriate scientific data. The objective of this paper is to discuss the scientific basis for determination of EWDT of drugs used in food animals using kinetic modeling approach.
Comparison of ionized calcium concentrations using an Abaxis Vetscan iSTAT with a Horiba LAQUAtwin calcium meter in dairy cows fed low, medium, and high calcium DCAD rations and challenged with EGTA
Authors: Prichard A. P. , Wimmler C. E. , Crump P. M. , Rowson A. D. , Bascom S. S. , Nuzback D. E.
Published: February 2023

Prepartum feeding of a negative dietary cation-anion difference (-DCAD) ration has proved to be an effective method of preventing hypocalcemia. However, the optimum Ca concentration to feed with -DCAD rations has not been determined. We conducted an experiment to assess the implications of feeding a low, medium, and high concentration Ca -DCAD ration on the ability of a cow to respond to an induction of hypocalcemia.
Improved serodiagnosis of CAE and OPP
Authors: Hines S. A. , Johnson A. , Bronowski A. L. , Heiniger T. J.
Published: February 2023

Caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus (CAEV) and ovine progressive pneumonia virus (OPPV) are small ruminant lentiviruses (SRLVs) that persistently infect goats and sheep, causing significant economic loss for producers. An integrative program of serological testing to identify infected animals coupled with appropriate management practices is pivotal for disease control efforts. VMRD’s SRLV cELISA kit is a USDA licensed assay widely used to detect antibodies to CAEV and OPPV in goats and sheep with excellent sensitivity and specificity. This study investigated reports of occasional anomalous positives in individual animals when samples were tested fresh that reverted to negative after the sample was stored. An improved version of the assay was optimized to accommodate for this sporadic issue with some freshly collected samples without sacrificing sensitivity or specificity.
Efficacy of ponazuril in weaned feeder lambs with naturally acquired coccidiosis
Authors: Brooks K. M. Still , Salzbrenner H. M. , Jesudoss-Chelladurai J. , Brewer M. T. , Plummer P. J.
Published: February 2023

Coccidiosis is a common and economically significant parasitic disease that causes diarrhea, weight loss, and death in lambs. Coccidiostats currently labeled in the US for ovine coccidiosis are challenging to administer at effective doses in sick lambs and clinically ineffectual when used late in the disease process. Newer triazinone-class coccidiocidial drugs, such as toltrazuril (Baycox®, Bayer Animal Health) are effective across a greater range of Eimeria's life cycle, resulting in improved clinical response and treatment compliance. Ponazuril (toltrazuril sulfone), an active metabolite of toltrazuril, is labeled in the United States for treatment of equine protozoal myeloencephalitis and is being used extra-label in sheep and goats for treatment of coccidiosis despite a lack of published data regarding its clinical effectiveness in sheep. The objective of this study is to determine the efficacy (fecal oocyst shedding, fecal consistency, and lamb growth performance) of a single low (2.27 mg/lb; 5 mg/kg) or high (9.1 mg/lb; 20 mg/kg) oral dose of ponazuril for treatment of naturally-acquired coccidiosis (Eimeria spp) in commercial feeder lambs.
Characterization of efficacy and animal safety across four caprine disbudding methodologies
Authors: Brooks K. M. Still , Hempstead M. , Millman S. T.
Published: February 2023

Caprine disbudding is commonly performed for safety considerations or as a requirement by show organizations. Heat-cautery disbudding is typically performed by producers without adjunct anesthesia or analgesia and is both painful to the animal and aversive to the producer. Although it currently provides the most common compromise between welfare, efficacy, and production constraints, there is demand for a stand-alone disbudding option that improves welfare in the absence of adjunct anesthesia and is both technically straightforward and reliable. The objective of this study was to evaluate efficacy and animal safety for 3 alternative caprine disbudding methods (clove oil injection, 1-hour application of caustic paste, or freezing) against sham-disbudded and heat-cautery controls.
impact of pregnancy toxemia in goats on the survival rate of newborn kids
Authors: Andrade I. M. , Bexiga R. D. , Lamas L. P. , Carolino N. , Lima M. S.
Published: February 2023

The objective of this study was to determine the short-term survival rate of newborn kids born from PT goats following cesarean section and compare it to those from natural delivery. Furthermore, we have measured blood parameters in the immediate post-partum period in order to understand differences between these 2 groups of kids and identify those that can be used as prognostic indicators for survival.
Pain responses associated with four caprine disbudding methodologies
Authors: Brooks K. M. Still , Hempstead M. , Parsons R. , Millman S. T.
Published: February 2023

An overwhelming majority of domestic goats are born with horns and require disbudding either for safety considerations or as a requirement by show organizations and breed registries. Heat-cautery disbudding is typically performed by producers without adjunct anesthesia or analgesia, and is both painful to the animal and aversive to the owner. Although heat-cautery disbudding currently provides a common compromise between welfare, efficacy, and production constraints, there is demand for a stand-alone disbudding option that improves welfare in the absence of adjunct anesthesia, is technically straightforward to perform, and reliable. The objective of this study was to evaluate indications of pain for 3 alternative caprine disbudding methods (clove oil injection, 1-hour application of caustic paste, or freezing) against sham-disbudded and heat-cautery controls.
How to keep beef and dairy producers asking for more
Authors: Hilton W. Mark
Published: February 2023

Progressive, entrepreneurial beef and dairy producers demand a level of service that is well beyond that which is traditionally described on a list of clinical skills common to practicing veterinarians. It is also known that progressive, entrepreneurial, bovine herd health veterinarians desire to offer services to their clients that are more consultative in nature so that they can become an asset to the herd owner. To become a trusted partner to the beef and dairy producer, the veterinarian must know the goals of the owner and how to communicate recommendations for reaching those goals.
Antimicrobial use monitoring
Authors: Apley Michael D. , Godden Sandra , Hope Katie J. , Schrag Nora F. D.
Published: February 2023

Antimicrobial use in livestock is under increasing scrutiny by various regulatory, industry, and consumer groups. It is likely that in the future, production systems will be required to document antimicrobial use in order to have access to some supply chains. Regardless of from what direction this requirement comes, the veterinarian is in a unique position to help guide the formation and the application of this "documentation". There are clearly many ways to define, measure, and document antimicrobial use. This project focuses on differentiating measures that would be useful tools for managing antimicrobial use for infectious disease from those that are suitable only for monitoring macrotrends related to use reduction.
Leading through generations
Authors: Rathje Grant
Published: February 2023

With employees that belong to Generation Y and Generation Z making up over half of the workplace, there is high demand for employers to learn how to communicate and maximize the strengths of these individuals. Each generation has been shaped by the time period they grew up in, which formed distinct values and behaviors that differ from each other. When leveraged using effective management practices, employers can create a synergistic culture where both Baby Boomers and Millennials can thrive.
Practical approach and outlook regarding animal welfare concerns related to beef feedlot production
Authors: Calvo-Lorenzo Michelle S.
Published: February 2023

The topic of animal welfare resonates strongly with the general public today as interest in the quality of life of food animals continues to grow. New tools to address, prevent, and assess animal welfare on farms will likely incorporate novel approaches due to the direct role and influence that livestock caretakers have on animal welfare. Addressing worker welfare as part of animal welfare is a complex subject area that must incorporate multiple components such as occupational psychology, safety and comfort, training and education, and cultural barriers of a diverse immigrant workforce. Addressing these factors also requires acknowledgement that each is interdependent with one another and with animal welfare. Very little metrics are available to quantify feedlot worker performance, comfort, and job satisfaction; however, the need for a skilled, stable, and satisfied workforce in feedlots is increasing. Veterinarians and stockpeople are regarded as the most influential and critical individuals for animal welfare and productivity. Therefore, a unique opportunity exists for feedlot veterinarians and owners/managers to proactively address the needs of feedlot workers and positively influence the feedlot culture for improved work performance and animal welfare outcomes.
Reproductive management of reindeer (Rangifer tarandus)
Authors: Bott N. Isaac
Published: February 2023

North American reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) are seasonally polyestrus short-day breeders. Seasonal ovarian activity begins in late August with an estrous cycle length of 24 ± 3.4 days. Estrous synchronization protocols have been published and are similar to protocols in sheep and goats. Artificial insemination has been met with limited success in North American herds. Further studies are needed to establish methods and protocols that provide acceptable conception rates. Pregnancy status can reliably be determined using ultrasonography and serum detection of pregnancy-specific proteins. Gestational lengths vary greatly with reported ranges of 198 to 240 days. During the rut, male reindeer will often cease eating altogether. They exhibit extreme aggression, and even the most docile males cannot be trusted. Rutting behavior includes a grunting behavior accompanied by hunching and urinating on the hind feet. Semen cryopreservation continues to be a challenge in reindeer, with most frozen-thawed samples having very poor motility.
Rural practice startup
Authors: Mowrer Mary E.
Published: February 2023

A startup rural practice requires time, dedication, resilience, and determination. The confounding factors of practicing lay people and unscrupulous drug and distribu_ tor reps makes starting a veterinary business all the more challenging. Have a clear picture of what you want from your practice and what the area needs. It is necessary to consider the practitioner's strengths and weaknesses and how these correspond to the needs of the area. New owners should strive to keep a low overhead and grow incrementally as their client base increases. Determine what the largest income sources will be and tap into those at the beginning. Follow this with what the area next needs ( education, facilities, advanced services) as your practice grows. Having tenacity and resilience will assist the new owner in maintaining a steady composure throughout the first years. Owners should set themselves up with a network of advisors from throughout the veterinary and local community to contact with business and professional questions.
Effect of season on fertility of dairy cows in four US regions
Authors: Pinedo P. , Santos J. E. P. , Schuenemann G. , Gilbert R. , Galvao K. , Rosa G.
Published: February 2023

In dairy cows, severe environmental conditions, such as heat stress during late gestation and early lactation, have been related to reduced subsequent milk yield and reproductive performance. Although these associations are supported by previous research, studies comparing the effect of season in multiple US regions are scarce. Here we analyze the association among season of calving and multiple indicators of fertility in multiple farms located in 4 US regions.
The 15-membered ring macrolide tulathromycin inhibits plasma endotoxin activity in endotoxemic calves
Authors: Otsuka M. , Nishi Y. , Tsukano K. , Fukuda T. , Tsuchiya M. , Suzuki K.
Published: February 2023

Macrolide antibiotics have not only bacteriostatic effects, but also anti-inflammatory effects via the inhibition of cytokine release. The 15-membered ring macrolide tulathromycin is widely used for cattle with inflammatory pneumonia. However, its anti-inflammatory activity, especially against endotoxin, remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether tulathromycin-containing plasma inhibited endotoxin (ETX) activity in vivo and in vitro.
Sequential changes in NF-kB and STAT-3 mRNA in polymorphonuclear leukocytes and liver samples in endotoxin-challenged calves
Authors: Nishi Y. , Otsuka M. , Tsukano K. , Fukada T. , Tsuchiya M. , Suzuki K.
Published: February 2023

Inflammatory diseases, such as bovine respiratory disease complex (BRD), are the most frequently observed diseases in dairy and feedlot cows, and most common cause of economic loss. Calves are highly sensitive to the component of the gram-negative bacterial envelope known as LPS or endotoxin. The acute-phase response to endotoxin may regulate transcription factors, such as nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB) or STAT-3, and the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), from neutrophils and monocytes/macrophages. Many studies have reported NF-kB transcription factors and signaling pathways to be the central coordinators in immune and inflammatory responses, and STAT-3 was found to regulate the expression ofnumerous genes in response to cellular stimuli. The activation of and interaction between NF-kB and STAT-3 are vital for inflammatory control, but it is unknown how endotoxin affects the NF-kB family and STAT-3 in calves. In this study, we examined sequential changes in mRNA levels of TLR-4, NF-kB 1, NF-kB 2, IL-6, and STAT-3 in polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) and the liver using an endotoxin challenge model.
Development of a novel clinical scoring system for bovine respiratory disease (BRD) in weaned dairy calves
Authors: Maier G. U. , Rowe J. D. , Lehenbauer T. W. , Karle B. M. , Williams D. R. , Champagne J. D. , Aly S. S.
Published: February 2023

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) continues to impact the welfare of dairy calves and the economics of dairy production. As a common cause of morbidity and mortality among dairy calves, BRD was responsible for 46.5% of deaths after weaning and was observed in 11.2% of weaned animals on heifer-raising operations. Costs involved with the disease reach beyond the treatment of clinically ill animals and include reduced growth, reduced milk production, impaired fertility, and premature culling in the first lactation. The prompt and correct diagnosis of BRD is challenging on farms, especially in weaned dairy calves. Weaned dairy calves are typically housed in larger group pens where there is often a lack of restraint and where it is more difficult to monitor them closely. As a result of challenges in correctly diagnosing BRD, cases often become neglected until they are more severe. Several clinical scoring systems to detect BRD in calves have been published. However, available BRD scoring systems for weaned dairy calves are mostly based on data from calves experimentally infected with specific pathogens. The objective of the present study was to develop and validate a scoring system for weaned dairy calves housed in group pens in an on-farm setting that minimizes calf handling.
Investigation of the relationship between bacteria counts and bedding characteristics with udder health and milk quality on U.S. dairy farms
Authors: Patel K. , Godden S. M. , Royster E. E. , Timmerman J. A. , Crooker B. A. , Fox L. K.
Published: February 2023

The major objective of this multi-herd observational study was to describe the relationship between BBC and udder health and to identify cutpoints for interpreting bedding culture results. A secondary objective was to identify bedding characteristics and bedding management strategies that are associated with lower BBC and improved udder health. This abstract presents preliminary results describing some of the relationships between bedding bacteria count (BBC), bedding characteristics, and udder health for 4 bedding materials: new sand (NS), reclaimed sand (RS), manure solids (MS), or other organic bedding materials (OB).
Association between hoof lesions and fertility of lactating dairy cows
Authors: Omontese B. O. , Bellet-Elias R. , Molinero A. , Catandi G. D. , Casagrande R. , Rodriguez Z. , Bisinotto R. S. , Cramer G.
Published: February 2023

Lameness is an important welfare issue and a serious challenge in the dairy industry. Prevalence of lameness worldwide range from 8 to 55% and is influenced by genetics, housing type, and herd management. Lame cows have reduced fertility and hoof lesions (HL) are responsible for over 90% of lameness. Hoof lesions can be non-infectious such as sole ulcer, toe ulcer, white line disease, sole hemorrhage, or infectious digital dermatitis and foot rot. Association between HL and fertility is scarce. Furthermore, information about the association between stage of HL development and fertility in dairy cows is limited. Our objective was to evaluate the association between HL and ovarian cyclicity, and pregnancy in dairy cows. Our hypotheses were that cows with pre-existing HL during early lactation have delayed resumption of ovulation post-partum, longer interval to first service and to pregnancy, and smaller pregnancy hazard. Also, cows that develop new HL have longer interval to pregnancy and smaller pregnancy hazard.
Epidemiology of subclinical hypocalcemia in early-lactation Holstein cows
Authors: Neves R. C. , Leno B. M. , Bach K. D. , McArt J. A. A.
Published: February 2023

Hypocalcemia is one of the most common periparturient abnormalities afflicting dairy cows. The disorder is frequently divided into a clinical (i.e., parturient paresis) and a subclinical state, with the latter receiving much recent research attention. For classification purposes, subclinical hypocalcemia (SCH) should be defined as low blood Ca concentrations that are associated with periparturient health disorders, poorer production and reproduction outcomes, or both, without associated signs of postpartum paresis. Our objective was to characterize the epidemiology of SCH in Holstein cows by assessing the temporal associations of plasma Ca concentrations in the first 4 days-in-milk (DIM) with the risk of cows being diagnosed with metritis/and or displaced abomasum in the first 60 DIM and milk production across the first 15 wk of lactation.
Progesterone supplementation improves fertility of lactating Holstein cows without a corpus luteum at initiation of the timed AI protocol
Authors: Omontese B. O. , Diefenbach M. , McSweeney K.
Published: February 2023

Ovulation synchronization and timed AI programs have been adopted in many dairy herds for managing reproduction in cows. Timed AI programs ensure maximum submission rates. However, pregnancy per AI is reduced when cows do not have a functional CL at initiation of the timed AI protocol. Suboptimal progesterone concentrations as observed in cows without a CL at initiation of timed AI negatively affects the quality of ovulatory follicle, oocyte competence, embryo growth, and endometrial functions. Ultrasound evaluation of the ovaries at initiation of the timed AI protocol combined with targeted progesterone supplementation can improve fertility in dairy cows lacking CL initiation of the timed AI protocol. Intravaginal controlled internal drug release (CIDR) devices offer a practical method to increase plasma progesterone concentrations in cows without a CL at initiation of the timed AI protocol. Our objectives were to evaluate the effects of progesterone supplementation using 1 or 2 intravaginal progesterone inserts on fertility of first service lactating dairy cows without a CL at initiation of the timed AI protocol.
Comparison of ante-mortem and post-mortem diagnosis of ovarian follicular dysplasia in Florida beef herds
Authors: Nobre H. , Gard J. , Roberts J. , Wenzel J. , Edmondson M. , Braden T.
Published: February 2023

Studies commissioned by the Florida Cattleman's Association in 2007 and 2016 found ovarian follicular dysplasia (OFD) as a primary cause of infertility in Florida beef cows. Ovarian follicular dysplasia (OFD) is a slowly progressive bilateral abnormal growth and/ or development of ovarian follicles eventually transforming into Sertoli-form Granulosa Cell Tumor. Later stages OFD, grades III and IV, seem to be able to be reliably detected via ultrasound examination of the ovaries using a 7 MHz probe. The objective of this study was to determine the variation in ante-mortem and post-mortem ultrasound examination when compared to histologic findings utilizing a 7 and 8.5 MHz ultrasound probe. Our hypothesis was that a 7 or 8.5 MHz ultrasound could be utilized for detection of earlier stages of OFD.
A shorter on-farm dairy welfare assessment protocol that can provide useful feedback to producers
Authors: Jewell M. T. , Cameron M. , Spears J. , McKenna S. , Cockram M. S. , Sanchez J. , Keefe G. P.
Published: February 2023

On-farm dairy welfare assessments are important tools for the dairy industry. There are several existing assessment protocols; however, these can be quite time-consuming to complete on-farm. The aim of our study was to modify an existing Canadian assessment protocol, the basis for the Dairy Farmers of Canada animal assessment program, to reduce the amount of time needed to complete an assessment on-farm. The original assessment required 2 separate visits to the farm, which took on average 8 to 9 hours and 4 hours to complete, respectively. The goal for the modified assessment protocol was to complete an assessment in a single 6 to 8 hour visit.
Diarrhea outbreak associated with corona virus in adult goats
Authors: Smith Fauna Leah , Pusterla Nicola , Crossley Beate M. , Clothier Kristin A. , Anderson Mark L. , Barnum Samantha S. , Heller Meera C. , Rowe Joan Dean
Published: February 2023

Coronaviruses have been demonstrated to infect a wide a variety of hosts and have an affinity for the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts. Adult diarrheal outbreaks in cattle and horses have been associated with coronaviruses. Coronavirus has not been previously reported as a significant pathogen in goats. The purpose of this study was to describe the demographics, clinical and fecal PCR results of an outbreak of diarrhea in adult goats associated with a coronavirus (CoV).
Diagnosed primary causes of death in domestic sheep of all ages in the Intermountain West
Authors: Wilson David J. , Baldwin Thomas J. , Kelly E. Jane
Published: February 2023

The 5.2 million domestic sheep in the U.S. resulted in $360 million in sales during 2016. Causes of sheep death were last summarized 25 years ago. The objective of this descriptive case series study was to summarize the diagnoses at necropsy of primary cause of death in 246 sheep including aborted fetuses from the Intermountain West over a 7-year period.
Pros and cons of mentoring
Authors: Miles Delbert G.
Published: February 2023

Mentoring is a situation where both parties can win. While teaching another individual, it is amazing how much the mentor learns. The mentee will bring new information, and should challenge the paradigms of the mentor, resulting in both individuals growing in knowledge.
Treating scouring beef and dairy calves
Authors: Smith Geof W.
Published: February 2023

Diarrhea is the leading cause of calf mortality prior to weaning in both beef and dairy calves. Therefore, both veterinarians and producers should put some effort into designing rational and efficacious protocols for both prevention and treatment of diarrhea. The primary goals of treating calf diarrhea are to 1) correct free water and electrolyte abnormalities; 2) correct acid-base deficits (acidemia); 3) provide nutritional support; and 4) eliminate and/or pre¬ vent E. coli bacteremia. This presentation will focus on both oral electrolyte and intravenous fluid therapy in calves with diarrhea. Practical approaches to correcting dehydration and metabolic acidosis on-farm will be emphasized.
You got it wrong!
Authors: Grooms Daniel L. , Juelsgaard Stephen G.
Published: February 2023

Success can be defined in so many different ways. If you don’t believe me, just Google “What Does Success Look Like” and see how many different opinions you get.

In my humble opinion, success ultimately comes down to how you define it in your own mind. It may be based on financial targets, career progression, work-life balance, family, health, your golf game score, or a combination of any of these plus many more variables that we don’t have time to explore.
Basics of genetic variation and the use of genomic technologies in cattle
Authors: Osterstock Jason B.
Published: February 2023

Genetic variation is an important factor in determining phenotypic variation in cattle. This variation arises in large part from differences in the genetic composition among animals. Genomic technologies can help to describe this variation and expected phenotypic impacts in part associated with differences in coding regions of the genome affecting protein structure and function, and by characterizing similarities among animals at the molecular level that can help inform prediction of genetic merit among genomically similar animals. When applied in this manner, genomic technologies help to provide more accurate estimation of genetic merit for more traits than can often be effectively measured phenotypically much earlier in life. This improves and accelerates decision making, thus optimizing production efficiency.
Enterotoxemia in small ruminants
Authors: Bowen Joan S.
Published: February 2023

Enterotoxemia due to toxin production from Clostridium perfringens type C and D is reported to be the most common cause of unnatural death in small ruminants. This session addresses clinical signs, diagnostic challenges, treatment, and vaccination strategies to prevent further cases.
Utilizing relationships with pharmaceutical companies to maximize benefit to you and your clients
Authors: Goehl Daniel R.
Published: February 2023

Ethics influence decisions we make every day. As health professionals, our decisions have consequences that can be far-reaching and are under high scrutiny. As entrepreneurs, it is our responsibility to our employees and our family to run a profitable enterprise. It is important to recognize any potential conflict of interest and manage it appropriately. We often are brought information by employees of pharmaceutical companies that have an inherent conflict of interest when they approach us. It is up to us to utilize this data to the best of our abilities to educate our clients. It is also our responsibility to maximize these relationships to maximize profit for our business and the businesses of our clients.
Contract negotiation and evaluating modern contracts
Authors: Middleton Gabe E.
Published: February 2023

Contract negotiation is a critical part of the relationship between the associate veterinarian and practice owner. Considerations for employment go far beyond simply discussing salary. Benefits, employee compatibility with the practice, and agreeing upon a contract that is mutually beneficial are essential to a positive working relationship. Utilizing negotiation tactics and understanding generational differences make the process of contract negotiation a fruitful experience for both parties.
Medical ultrasound of the bovine abdomen
Authors: Streeter Robert N.
Published: February 2023

Ultrasonography of the bovine abdomen can provide details about the form and function of many areas of the gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary systems otherwise undetectable without exploratory laparotomy. This discussion will review the application of ultrasonography to the diagnosis of disorders of the abdominal viscera in cattle.
Surgical eye procedures
Authors: Jones Meredyth L.
Published: February 2023

Membrana nictitans excision, H-plasty, and exenteration are common surgical procedures used in cattle as part of the management of ocular squamous cell carcinoma, trauma, and infectious diseases of the eye. These procedures may be performed using local anesthesia in field settings and can result in full resection of primary tumors, extending the productive life and protecting the welfare of the animal.
Bovine neurologic examination
Authors: Nagy Dusty W.
Published: February 2023

Physical examination is the cornerstone of the diagnosis of neurologic disease. Cattle with neurologic disease can be dangerous to themselves and others. However, failure to adequately examine the patient is a direct path to empirical treatment. Examination at a distance followed by a cranial nerve examination, postural reactions, spinal reflexes, and palpation can provide the information necessary to determine a gross anatomical diagnosis.
Prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility of bovine respiratory disease pathogen isolates submitted to the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory
Authors: Holschbach C. L. , Poulsen K. P. , Aulik N. A. , Ollivett T. L.
Published: February 2023

Respiratory disease negatively impacts growth, reproductive performance, milk production, and longevity of adult cattle. Most calves diagnosed with clinical respiratory disease on dairy farms are treated with antibiotics. Treatment failure is not uncommon and although management factors likely contribute to these treatment failures, the role of antimicrobial resistance cannot be ruled out. Therefore, the objective of this study was to describe pathogen prevalence and antimicrobial resistance patterns for pathogens associated with respiratory disease isolated from samples submitted to the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory between 2008-2017.
Understanding bovine mammary gland niches for staphylococci using different milk sampling techniques
Authors: Rivero Luis A. , Witzke Monica , Adkins Pamela , Middleton John
Published: February 2023

Mastitis is usually caused by a bacterial intramammary infection (IMI) with Staphylococcus being the most commonly isolated genus. The standard method for diagnosing an IMI is to aseptically prepare the teat end and collect milk via the teat orifice into a sterile vial for bacterial culture. While this method has been advocated for decades, there has been debate about the importance of some bacteria isolated from such samples when the milk somatic cell count (SCC) in the mammary quarter is < 200,000 cells/ml (threshold for a healthy mammary gland). Recently, Hiitio et al. (2016) showed that milk samples collected directly from the gland cistern were less likely to contain staphylococcal DNA when using a commercial PCR diagnostic test kit than milk samples that were collected via the teat orifice. Unfortunately, the PCR only differentiated staphylococci into Staphylococcus spp. and Staphylococcus aureus, and so it is unknown which of the nonaureus staphylococcal (NAS) species may be more likely to inhabit the teat canal than those that cause a true IMI. These data provide preliminary evidence that some staphylococci in milk may be teat canal inhabitants and not intramammary pathogens that cause mastitis. The objective of this study was to determine if some species of staphylococci isolated from milk are only isolated when the sample is collected through the teat orifice and absent in cisternal milk collected using the method described by Hiitio et al. (2016).
Effect of storage time and temperature on total calcium concentrations in bovine blood
Authors: Bach K. D. , Neves R. C. , Stokol T. , McArt J. A. A.
Published: February 2023

Subclinical hypocalcemia (SCH), a reduction in blood calcium concentrations without apparent clinical signs of milk fever, occurs in 25 to 50 % of early-postpartum dairy cows. Compared to their normocalcemic counterparts, these cows have an increased risk of subsequent disease developments, reduced milk production, and poorer reproductive performance. Due to the absence of an economical and accurate on-farm test, the mainstay of individual cow testing and herd-level monitoring is done through total calcium (tCa) analysis performed at regional laboratories or veterinary clinics. Due to practicality reasons, this often results refrigeration of whole blood for various lengths of time prior to centrifugation or prolonged storage of frozen plasma or serum. In order to provide bovine practitioners and researchers with the optimal method of handling samples for tCa testing, our objective was to examine the effect of storage time and temperature on tCa concentrations in bovine blood.
Transient vs persistent subclinical hypocalcemia
Authors: McArt J. A. A. , Neves R. C.
Published: February 2023

Decreased blood calcium (Ca) concentration in the early postpartum period, often diagnosed as subclinical hypocalcemia (SCH), is a common occurrence in Holstein cows. Our objectives were to evaluate the association of SCH duration with the risk of early lactation negative events and milk production.