bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Utility of an online learning module to teach cautery disbudding technique for dairy calves, including cornual nerve block application
Authors: Winder C. B. , LeBlanc S. J , Haley D. B. , Lissemore K. D. , Godkin M. A. , Duffield T. F.
Published: February 2023

Although disbudding or dehorning dairy heifers is necessary for the safety of humans and other cattle, it has been identified as a key animal welfare issue when done without appropriate analgesia. Three-quarters of all disbudding or dehorning is done by dairy producers or on-farm staff, while the remainder is done by a veterinarian or veterinary technician. Reported use of pain control for these procedures by dairy producers ranges from 15 to 60%. Cautery disbudding is the most commonly used method; best practices include administration of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) as well as local anesthetic given as a cornual nerve block (CNB). While NSAID administration is uncomplicated, CNB application requires technical training, which may limit use. Teaching methods have traditionally focused on one-on-one training with a veterinarian, although online disbudding training videos exist. To our knowledge, neither method has been studied for efficacy. Our objective was to determine if an online, interactive module could teach naive participants cautery disbudding technique, including CNB, as compared to hands-on training.
Duration of recumbency and quality of nursing care of non-ambulatory cows affects the outcome of flotation therapy
Authors: Stojkov J. , Weary D. M. , Von Keyserlingk M. A. G.
Published: February 2023

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of recumbency duration and nursing care provided to nonambulatory cows on the outcome of the flotation therapy, and to assess the physiological responses to stress related to the flotation therapy. Recumbent cows that are unable or unwilling to stand and remain in a lying position for ≥12 h are defined as non-ambulatory cows. Care and management of recumbent cattle is considered a major animal welfare concern, particularly in the dairy sector. Regardless of the primary cause, an extended period of recumbency initiates secondary damage to the muscles and nerve tissue, causing a condition described as secondary recumbency, which greatly hinders cows' ability to recover. Flotation therapy has gained interest as a means to promote recovery in non-ambulatory cows and is based on the concept that by floating the cow in warm water, secondary pressure damage to muscles and nerves will be reduced.
Evaluation of three detection strategies on the odds of lameness cure in dairy cows
Authors: Wynands Erin , Moe David , Cramer Gerard
Published: February 2023

The high prevalence of lameness in US freestall dairy herds is both an animal welfare and an economic concern. To achieve a low prevalence of lameness, strategies to lower incidence need to be combined with methods to decrease duration. This requires rapid and effective methods to detect and treat lameness. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of 3 lameness detection strategies on the odds of cure of lameness.
Associations between preventive hoof trimming, activity and resting behaviors
Authors: Stoddard G. , Cramer G.
Published: February 2023

Hoof trimming (HT) is a common procedure used to prevent and treat lameness, one of the most important economic and animal welfare diseases in the dairy industry. There is a paucity of research on the effects hoof trimming has on the 3 components of animal welfare: biological function, behavior, and affective states. Current behavioral research suggests hoof trimming causes a decrease in activity, an increase in resting time, and conflicting effects on locomotion. Unfortunately, in these studies, lame animals were included, and this limits the conclusion that can be made on the effect routine HT has on non-lame animals. It is important to evaluate lame and non-lame animals separately because lame animals are already displaying abnormal behavior. Determining the effect of routine hoof trimming on non-lame animals will increase animal health and welfare for dairy cattle by guiding future evaluations of routine HT techniques and HT strategies. The objective of this research was to determine the association between HT and activity and resting behaviors for non-lame cows.
Ulcerative penile lesions in beef bulls due to pseudocowpox virus
Authors: Allen Andrew J. , Evermann James , Diaz-Campos Dubraska , McCrea Jessica
Published: February 2023

The testing of this herd over the last 4 years has revealed that exposure to pseudocowpox is widespread in this herd. Ureaplasma and Myca plasma are also present, however, these bacteria are thought to be normal surface inhabitants of the male and female reproductive tract with occasional secondary pathological infections. The herd is deficient in copper, which has been associated with immune dysfunction. There is 1 other reported case of a bull with ulcerative penile lesions thought to be associated with pseudocowpox. It is possible that this is an emerging disease or a disease that has been underreported.
Comparison of treatment history and antimicrobial sensitivity results of common bovine respiratory disease bacterial pathogens from cases submitted to the ISU-VDL from 2013-2015
Authors: Magstadt D. R. , Schuler A. M. , Coetzee J. F. , Krull A. C. , O'Connor A. M. , Cooper V. L. , Engelken T. J.
Published: February 2023

Summarized susceptibility results from diagnostic laboratory cases are often used to evaluate trends in antibiotic resistance. The objective of this retrospective study was to evaluate summarized antimicrobial susceptibility data from bovine respiratory disease cases submitted to the Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory in the context of reported antibiotic treatment history.
randomized, controlled, blinded trial assessing the association between infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis incidence and a commercial Moraxella bovis vaccine in beef calves
Authors: Cullen J. , Engelken T. , Cooper V. , O'Connor A. M.
Published: February 2023

The objectives were to assess the association between a commercially available Moraxella bovis vaccine and cumulative incidence of infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis (primary objective) and weight at weaning (secondary objective).
Characterization of neonatal beef calf behavior and associations with weight gain and intake of colostral immunoglobulins
Authors: Bayne J. E. , Passler T. , Chamorro M. F. , Haines D. M. , Walz P. H.
Published: February 2023

Failure of adequate colostrum intake in neonatal calves contributes to increased morbidity and mortality in both beef and dairy calves. Characterizing neonatal calf behavior predictive of future production has not been fully explored in beef cattle. Research objectives included characterization of behavioral indices from birth until day 7 in beef calves born to primiparous (Calves-H) and multiparous dams (CalvesC). Evaluation of body weight, serum total protein, and IgG concentrations were performed to determine correlations between activity, transfer of passive immunity, and weight gain during the first 7 days of life.
Relationship between trauma observed during unloading and carcass bruise prevalence in finished cattle at commercial slaughter facilities
Authors: Lee T. L. , Bartle S. J. , Apley M. , Loneragan G. H. , Vahl C. , Reinhardt C. D. , Siemens M. , Thomson D. U.
Published: February 2023

Bruising in cattle is an indicator of poor welfare, as well as a significant cause of economic loss due to decreased carcass value. Vehicle design, transport conditions, and loading/unloading procedures are considered potential sources of carcass bruising; however, none of these have been explored extensively. The objective of the current study was to determine whether a relationship exists between trauma incurred during unloading and prevalence of carcass bruising in finished beef cattle at commercial slaughter facilities.
Prevalence of EHEC-7 on hides of market beef cattle at slaughter
Authors: Schneider L. G. , Moxley R. A. , Smith D. R.
Published: February 2023

Cattle hides at slaughter are an important source of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) carcass contamination. The objective of this study was to estimate the probability for hide contamination with EHEC-7 among US market beef cows at slaughter, as well as test the effects of season and geographic region.
Effects of dietary fiber and distillers grains on fecal shedding of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli in feedlot steers
Authors: Schneider L. G. , Erickson G. E. , Moxley R. A. , Smith D. R.
Published: February 2023

The objective of this study was to determine whether the presence of distillers grain (DGS) in the diet or the level of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) affects shedding of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) in feedlot steers.
Exploring the susceptibility of humans to animal prion diseases
Authors: Davenport K. A. , Henderson D. M. , Mathiason C. K. , Hoover E. A.
Published: February 2023

Prion diseases are fatal, infectious diseases of cattle (bovine spongiform encephalopathy, BSE), sheep (scrapie), deer and elk ( chronic wasting disease, CWD) and humans (Creutzfeldt Jakob disease). Disease is caused by the misfolding of a normal protein, PrP, into a pathogenic form called a prion. Prions then coerce normal PrP to misfold, resulting in propagation of the pathogenic form in the brain and elsewhere, where it is toxic to neurons. Over 200 people were infected with BSE and 4 million cattle were culled during an outbreak in the United Kingdom in the 1980s. The fallout led to constraints on the use of animal by-products, organ donation and cattle culling, which have effectively ended the BSE outbreak. Nevertheless, an atypical form of BSE has been identified in older cattle in several countries, including the USA. These cases are disruptive to the beef supply chain and raise concerns for another outbreak. CWD is spreading through deer and elk in the United States and, increasingly, abroad. CWD infection of humans has not been documented, but we do not know the risk of CWD transmission to humans, how BSE and CWD may be different in their host ranges, or what defines this difference. Using an in vitro model of prion conversion, we have demonstrated that CWD prions adapt more readily to a new host than do BSE prions, which remain largely unchanged. These observations prompted us to investigate the role of specific regions of the PrP molecule in defining species barriers.
Estrus detection intensity and accuracy and optimal timing of insemination with automated activity monitors for dairy cows
Authors: Leroy Craig , LeBlanc Stephen
Published: February 2023

The use of automated activity monitoring (AAM) systems for estrus detection is increasing rapidly in the dairy industry in North America. While there is some peer-reviewed published information about the performance of these tools for management of reproduction, large-scale field studies in commercial dairy herds are needed to inform realistic expections of the performance of AAM systems and implementation of management practices to optimize their utility. The objectives were to assess the ability of AAM to detect estrus for first insemination, the accuracy of detection, and the optimum interval from the onset of estrus to insemination.
Serum iron concentration in dairy cattle with acute coliform mastitis
Authors: Shimamori T. , Suzuki K. , Nishi Y. , Tsuchiya M. , Suzuki T. , Niehaus A.
Published: February 2023

Coliform mastitis caused by Escherichia coli and/ or Klebsiella pneumoniae is typically associated with clinical and acute mastitis, which is one of the most frequent causes of culling. Acute coliform mastitis (ACM) shows local and systemic inflammation and is generally recognized as the cause of fatality. Serum iron concentration has been evaluated as a marker of inflammation in dogs, cats, and horses, but limited data exist about whether serum iron concentration can be used to diagnose acute inflammation in cattle. To our knowledge, no comparative studies are available on the serum iron concentration from dairy cattle with and/ or without ACM. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate a relationship between serum iron concentrations and prognosis of ACM in dairy cattle.
Endotoxin activities in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids from calves with mycoplasma bronchopneumonia
Authors: Nishi Y. , Suzuki K. , Shimamori T. , Tsukano T. , Tsuchiya M. , Niehaus A.
Published: February 2023

The frequency and severity of complex bovine respiratory diseases have increased globally, and respiratory disease is currently regarded as the principle health problem and most economically important disease in young calves. Bovine mycoplasmas are often isolated from pneumonic lungs in combination with other pathogens such as Pasteurella multocida. The systemic complications and deleterious outcomes associated with Gram-negative infections have been attributed to the exaggerated inflammatory responses largely elicited by a highly pro-inflammatory component of the Gram-negative bacterial envelope known as endotoxin. To the best of our knowledge, comparative studies on the relationship between endotoxin activity in plasma and bronchoalveolar lavage fluids (BALF), and between endotoxin activity and bronchopneumonia have not yet been performed in calves. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to determine plasma and/or BALF endotoxin activity in calves with bronchopneumonia.
Prevalence and characteristics of radiographically confirmed juvenile tarsal osteochondrosis in purebred Angus bulls
Authors: Emerson S. E. , Barrett M. F. , Holt T. N. , Bass L. , Rao S.
Published: February 2023

Hindlimb lameness in breeding bulls is a source of significant financial loss, with a proportion of bulls having osteochondrosis (OC). The objective of this study is to determine the characteristics, change over time, and sire association of radiographically identified tarsal OC lesions in a purebred Angus breeding herd.
Footbath dimensions and management on California dairies
Authors: Pineda M. , Espadamala A. , Adkin I. , Silva-del-Río N.
Published: February 2023

Lameness is a common disease on dairy herds with implications on animal welfare and herd production. Digital dermatitis is one of most common infectious causes of lameness. Footbaths (FB) are commonly used on California dairies to prevent infectious foot diseases. However, few studies have evaluated FB design, dimensions, and hoof bath solution management. Based on current industry recommendations, the FB volume should be 1 liter per cow. The objective of this study was to describe footbath dimensions and management practices on California dairies.
Lameness morbidity and association of locomotion score and diagnosis with case outcome in beef cattle in Great Plains feedlots
Authors: Terrell S. P. , Thomson D. U. , Reinhardt C. D. , Larson C. K. , Vahl C. I.
Published: February 2023

This was a dynamic population longitudinal study to determine the association of lameness diagnosis and locomotion score at time of initial lameness diagnosis with case outcome in feedlot cattle, and provide beef cattle feedlot lameness morbidity, mortality, and realizer incidence due to different lameness etiologies.
Medical error
Authors: Gay John M.
Published: February 2023

Medical error is an emerging issue, brought to the public’s attention abruptly in 2000 by the National Institute of Medicine's To Err is Human report. Because human error is at its root, medical error is a complex and sensitive topic, is likely underreported, often requires process change to reduce, and is difficult to prevent. With the occurrence of at least a minimum level of human error now being regarded as inevitable, using lessons from high reliability organizations functioning in fault-intolerant industries, such as commercial aviation and nuclear power, the reduction of medical error is shifting from a focus on individual failings to a focus on the system in which it is occurring. This paper reviews the definitions of medical error, summarizes its frequency primarily in the diagnostic aspect of human and veterinary medicine, touches briefly upon approaches to reducing it, and provides references, many online, for pursuing the topic further.
Preconditioning beef calves is an economic "no-brainer"
Authors: Schunicht Oliver C.
Published: February 2023

The concept of preconditioning of beef calves has been around for a long time. However, the uptake of this management method has been slow. Reported benefits of preconditioning are improved health, improved feedlot performance, and improved economic returns to both cow-calf and feedlot operators. A critical review of the literature on the benefits of preconditioning reveals mixed results. The decision to precondition calves requires careful economic modeling and may not be economically feasible for all cow-calf operations.
Critically evaluating alternative cattle handling techniques
Authors: Meyer Nathan , Dewell Grant , Szasz Josh , Bryant Tony , McMurphy Casey
Published: February 2023

Stockmanship, husbandry, and cattle welfare are terms that in many ways overlap, and are all associated with cattle handling. Rarely will you find cattle producers arguing against the value of proper cattle handling. While most in the industry would advocate for proper cattle handling, the question becomes, at what level is "proper" defined? As with many practices (vaccinations, antimicrobials, pen space), more is not always better and there becomes a cost that exceeds the value derived from the practice, in other words, an economic threshold is met. A research trial in beef calves was conducted evaluating a traditional cattle handling (TCH) system to an alternative cattle handling (ACH) system. Health, performance, and carcass characteristics were evaluated. Total mortality was higher (P = 0.09) for the TCH treatment compared to the ACH treatment, but this did not translate to fewer realizers or total wastage (P > 0.10). No significant differences were observed in cattle performance or morbidity. Numerous alternative cattle handling models exist and future evaluation of these differences is warranted.
Myth
Authors: Kelton David F.
Published: February 2023

For decades monthly somatic cell counts (SCC) have been used to assess udder health of dairy cows to classify cows as acutely or chronically infected, or not. However, with the introduction of technologies that measure SCC daily, dairy producers and veterinarians have access to information that is more current, but also more volatile. Is there a need to re-think our use of SCC?
Myth
Authors: Ruegg Pamela L.
Published: February 2023

Use of antimicrobials in animal agriculture is increasingly scrutinized, and it is important that veterinarians are engaged with farmers to ensure that they are used in a manner that meets evolving societal expectations while maintaining animal well-being and farm profitability. On most North American dairy farms, mastitis is the most common bacterial disease of cows, and is usually treated by farm workers without veterinary supervision. On most farms, treatment of mastitis accounts for the majority of antimicrobial treatments and many cases are treated symptomatically without knowledge of etiology. However, as farmers have adopted modern management practices, the distribution of mastitis pathogens has shifted and varies among farms based on differences in housing and management. On many farms, a large proportion of cases are microbiologically negative when detected, or are caused by pathogens that have high rates of spontaneous cure. Other cases are often caused by bacteria that are intrinsically resistant to available antimicrobials or occur in cows with characteristics that greatly reduce the probability that antimicrobial therapy can result in successful bacterial clearance. When antimicrobials are routinely used to treat mastitis without determining the etiology, approximately 35 to 60% of antimicrobial treatments will be of no-benefit to the cow. In an era when use of antimicrobials on farms is increasingly controversial, this is difficult to justify. To develop appropriate treatment protocols, veterinarians should review the spectrum of action of approved drugs and implement protocols that include options for managing cases that will not benefit from antimicrobial use. When possible, veterinarians should encourage farmers to use culture-based treatment protocols and review the medical history of the cow before administration of antimicrobial treatments. When culture-based protocols are not feasible, veterinarians should recommend use of approved narrow-spectrum intramammary antibiotics for short durations. There is considerable opportunity for veterinarians to promote responsible use of antimicrobials by increasing engagement with farmers in development of mastitis treatment protocols.
Designing protocols/SOPs and monitoring for implementation
Authors: Rhoda David A.
Published: February 2023

A dairy's first step in establishing protocols and standard operating procedures (SOPs] for use by the on-farm personnel is naming a Veterinarian of Record (VOR). This veterinarian will fulfill the responsibilities which are clearly defined in the AABP VCPR Guidelines. If you haven't read these guidelines recently I encourage you to go to the AABP website to review the VOR's responsibilities along with the responsibilities of supporting veterinarians who do not hold the VOR role. If you are serving food animal farms, it is time to decide which role you will serve.
Myth-busting strategies for ovine progressive pneumonia virus (OPPv) control
Authors: Wolfe Cindy
Published: February 2023

This paper reviews the latest information on the spread and control of ovine progressive pneumonia virus (OPPv). Infected adult animals serve as the reservoir for the virus, and the virus is spread to genetically susceptible animals through respiratory secretions. It is now known that transmission of the virus through the colostrum and milk is not a significant risk factor. Control programs consist of segregating testnegative animals from those testing positive, and selecting replacement animals that have protective genotypes.
Adding small ruminant reproduction to your practice
Authors: Shipley Clifford F.
Published: February 2023

Equipment needs for transcervical insemination (TCI) of whitetail deer and goats are essentially the same. Trans-cervical insemination of sheep can use the same equipment, but pregnancy rates are low in this species with TCI, and the author does not recommend this technique for use in sheep, especially with frozen-thawed semen. Laparoscopic artificial insemination requires more equipment and some practice, but can be mastered with a little practice and patience. Collecting and freezing semen is not difficult, but highly technical and requires attention to detail. Most equipment is readily available at a reasonable cost. A list of the equipment needed and comments concerning the equipment are included in this presentation.
Diagnosis and treatment of sheep and goat dyspnea
Authors: Smith Mary C.
Published: February 2023

Causes of rapid or labored respiration in small ruminants include normal panting and treatable pathologic conditions such as bronchopneumonia, lungworms, anemia, and hypocalcemia. Several other causes of dyspnea such as caseous lymphadenitis, retroviral interstitial pneumonia, and neoplasia must be differentiated, as they carry a grave prognosis. This article will emphasize diagnosis and control of respiratory diseases, especially at the herd level.
Myth
Authors: Trichel Jessica
Published: February 2023

There are several benefits to becoming an owner, including increased annual income and investment value. Understanding the financing landscape is important for veterinarians to understand in order to purchase the practice. Veterinary practices are typically valued as a multiple of historical earnings. To ensure maximal value of their business, sellers should be concerned with the profitably of their business for at least 3 years prior, and work with a business valuator to set the price of their practice. Industry specific third-party lenders have come to understand the veterinary landscape and the challenges inherent to our industry, such as the large student debt burden that recent graduates face. Fortunately, many cash-flow based loans allow for the transaction to still occur despite a collateral shortfall. The cash-flow analysis is at the core of the loan approval process to ensure that the new business owner will be able to pay the ordinary business expenses, pay the new proposed debt, pay themselves a sufficient salary to cover their personal obligations, and have some cushion left over. The strength of the veterinary profession and historically low default rates allow lenders to become comfortable lending to veterinarians to purchase practices.
Can you sell your practice?
Authors: McCormick David F. , Everhart Sherry
Published: February 2023

All practice owners have to answer an often challenging question -- when and how, to sell their practice. The decision to exit from ownership is often not an easy one as there are many details and perspectives to consider. The decision to become an owner is also a weighty decision. Both are life changing decisions and should not be taken lightly. This article contains information on both sides that should help when the time comes for the decision making.
Early career practice ownership
Authors: Glaesemann Jennafer M.
Published: February 2023

Financial independence is almost considered a pipedream nowadays among veterinary graduates. Years of disproportionate trends in educational costs and starting salaries have created a gargantuan student debt-to-income ratio. One troubling aspect of this multifaceted issue is the concurrent waning of recent veterinary graduates' interest in practice ownership. While private practice ownership has long been a staple of the profession, contemporary early career veterinarians are turning to internships, advanced specialized training, alternative fields, and careers as associate veterinarians. However, while the veterinary student loan debt debate continues, and as recent veterinary graduates have little control over rising educational costs, early career practice ownership is more relevant than ever. Early career practice ownership is a viable option for financial independence. It is also 1 part of the equation that each individual veterinary graduate can control. While early career practice ownership is not for everyone, this career path should garner strong consideration as a means to retire veterinary student loan debt.
Myth buster
Authors: Wenger Melvin D. , Middleton Gabriel E.
Published: February 2023

Practice sustainability is a necessity for the viability of the mixed animal veterinary practice industry. To keep mixed animal practices thriving, a plan is needed to transition practices from 1 generation to another. Buying into a mixed animal practice is often promised to a new associate doctor but not fulfilled. The process often lacks communication and a good plan. Drs. Wenger and Middleton will share their experiences on how their practice has transitioned from 1 generation to another. They continue to focus on transition as new-generation partners are joining the practice. They will touch on how to value a mixed animal practice. Purchasing a practice is a return on investment for the owner that is selling and a huge investment for the new owner that is buying shares of the practice. Much has been written about valuing, buying, and selling small animal practices, but there is little information on how this to relates to mixed animal practices. Large student loan debts complicate the process and often stop the discussion because no solution is presented. Current student loan income-based repayment plans may create challenges to young veterinary practice owners due to an increase in income, thereby increasing student loan payments and creating cash flow dilemmas. Drs. Wenger and Middleton conclude that it is possible to become an owner with student loan debt and complicated loan repayment schedules, and will share their experience as to how to make it happen.
Development of a risk assessment tool for prevention of bovine respiratory disease in pre-weaned calves on California dairies
Authors: Maier G. U. , Love W. J. , Karle B. , Dubrovsky S. , Williams D. , Champagne J. , Anderson R. , Stackhouse J.
Published: February 2023

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) has been estimated as the cause of death in 22.5 % of pre-weaned and 46.5 % in post-weaned heifers. In 2010, 18.1 % of pre-weaned heifers on dairy heifer raising operations were reportedly affected by pneumonia, the second most common illness after diarrhea. Despite the availability of numerous vaccines and antibiotics specifically approved for the prevention and treatment of BRD, morbidity and mortality in dairy calves have remained static over the past 25 years. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to determine how management practices on California dairies are associated with BRD in pre-weaned calves.
Comparison of online, hands-on, and a combined approach for teaching cautery disbudding technique, including administration of a cornual nerve block, to dairy producers
Authors: Winder C. B. , LeBlanc S. J. , Haley D. B. , Lissemore K. D. , Godkin M. A. , Duffield T. F.
Published: February 2023

The use of pain control for disbudding and dehorning is important from both an animal- and industry-centered perspective. Best practices include the use of local anesthetic, commonly given as a cornual nerve block, and a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Approximately 40% of Canadian dairy producers do not use local anesthesia, perhaps in part due to lack of knowledge regarding cornual nerve block technique. Although this skill is typically learned in person from a veterinarian, alternative or adjunct methods may be useful for hard to reach producers. The objective of this trial was to determine if there were differences in the efficacy of online training, hands-on training, and a combined approach for teaching producers to successfully administer a cornual nerve block and disbud a calf less than 12 weeks of age.
Using thoracic ultrasonography to investigate the impact of antibiotic therapy on the health and performance of preweaned dairy calves
Authors: Binversie E. S. , Ollivett T. L.
Published: February 2023

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) continues to be a major cause of morbidity and mortality of preweaned dairy calves. Costs associated with this condition include drug and labor costs as well as loss of animal productivity. Recent use of clinical scoring systems and thoracic ultrasonography allows for the diagnosis of different BRD subtypes including upper respiratory tract infection, clinical pneumonia, and subclinical pneumonia. Previously, the impact of antibiotic therapy has not been evaluated on these different BRD subtypes. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the impact of antibiotic therapy on the health and performance of preweaned dairy calves affected by different BRD subtypes.
Breeding beef bulls as a source of BLV transmission
Authors: Benitez O. J. , Roberts J. , Norby B. , Bartlett P. , Takeshima S. N. , Watanuki S. , Aida Y. , Grooms D. L.
Published: February 2023

Bovine leukosis is a chronic lymphoproliferative disorder caused by bovine leukemia virus (BLV) that leads to economic losses in the beef and dairy industries. The USDA NAHMS Beef 1997 study estimated that 38% of cow-calf beef herds and 10.3% of individual adult cows in the US are BLV seropositive. Most BLV infected animals are asymptomatic carriers of the virus while a proportion of infected cattle develop lymphocytosis (30-40%) and lymphosarcoma (5-10%). The major route of virus transmission is iatrogenic through the transfer of blood from infected cattle. BLV proviral DNA has also been identified in nasal secretions, saliva, milk, colostrum, and semen, which could serve as potential sources for virus transmission. In the US, natural service accounts for 90% of the breeding in beef cow-calf operations. During natural breeding, minor genital tract trauma resulting from copulation may lead to blood transfer and transmission of BLV. Alternatively, BLV transmission may occur via transfer of infected secretions including semen and smegma during copulation. Little is known about the prevalence of BLV in breeding bulls and few studies have evaluated semen or smegma as a potential route of BLV transmission. The objectives of this study were to 1) determine the prevalence of BLV in breeding bulls presented for breeding soundness exams (BSE) at Michigan State University (MSU), 2) compare lymphocyte counts in BLV positive and negative bulls, and 3) evaluate the presence of BLV proviral DNA in bull smegma and semen.
Use of a data-driven algorithm to guide selective dry-cow therapy
Authors: Vasquez A. K. , Foditsch C. , Wieland M. , Lynch R. A. , Eicker S. , Virkler P. D. , Nydam D. V.
Published: February 2023

Nationally in 2014, 80.3% of dairies applied blanket dry-cow therapy (BDCT) and 93% of cows were treated with dry-cow intramammary (IMM) antimicrobials. However, surveys indicate that >80% of dry quarters yield negative culture results. Selective dry-cow therapy (SDCT) describes the identification and treatment of only cows/quarters infected or at high risk for infection. The purpose of this study was to determine if a data-driven algorithm, without the use of culture, could identify and selectively treat only "high risk" cows (those likely benefitting from DCT) without adverse effects on animal health and production outcomes.
Prevalence of multi drug antimicrobial resistance in Mannheimia haemolytico isolated from high-risk Stocker cattle at arrival and two weeks after processing
Authors: Snyder E. , Credille B. , Berghaus R. , Giguere S.
Published: February 2023

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in North American beef cattle. Mannheimia haemolytica (Mh) is the bacterial pathogen most frequently isolated from cattle with BRD and the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance in this pathogen has been increasing. Administration of antimicrobials to prevent BRD is commonplace in stocker cattle. Our objectives were to determine the prevalence of Mh isolated from the nasopharynx of high-risk stocker cattle at arrival and at resampling 10 to 14 days later, and second, to determine the prevalence of antimicrobial resistant Mh at these same time points.
Antimicrobial susceptibility in Mannheimia haemolytica isolated from high-risk Stocker cattle after metaphylaxis and treatment
Authors: Woolums A. , Karisch B. , Smith D. R. , Blanton J. , Austin F. , Frye J. , Hiott L. , McClelland M.
Published: February 2023

Metaphylaxis (mass antimicrobial treatment) is commonly administered to high-risk cattle to limit bovine respiratory disease (BRD). While metaphylaxis decreases BRD morbidity and mortality, some cattle still require subsequent BRD treatments. Moreover, widespread application of anti-microbial drugs with extended duration of therapeutic concentrations in lung could increase antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in bacteria that cause BRD. Reports indicate increasing prevalence of AMR in Mannheimia haemolytica, the leading bacterial contributor to BRD in feedlot and Stocker cattle. The role that metaphylaxis has contributed to the recognized increase in AMR prevalence in M. haemolytica has not been well described. The impact of AMR on health outcomes in cattle managed to treat and control BRD is also not clear. The objective of this research was to describe the prevalence of AMR M. haemolytica in auction market-derived Stocker cattle that received a long acting macrolide for metaphylaxis, followed by treatment as necessary for BRD with other antimicrobials, over the first 21 days after receiving
Association among genomic breeding values for daughter pregnancy rate and heifer conception rate and estrous characteristics and fertility of Holstein heifers
Authors: Veronese Anderson , Marques Odinei , Moreira Rafael , Belli Anna , Peñagaricano Francisco , Chebel Ricardo C.
Published: February 2023

Genetic selection of dairy animals until the early 2000s was focused on productive traits while disregarding reproductive traits. It is believed that such selection strategy was associated with compromised estrous expression and reproductive performance. Since the mid 2000s, genetic selection of dairy breeds has included reproductive traits. We hypothesized that genomic breeding values for daughter pregnancy rate (GDPR) and heifer conception rate (GHCR) are associated with estrous characteristics. Therefore, the objectives of the current experiment were to evaluate the association among GDPR and GHCR with estrous characteristics measured by an automated device.
What veterinarians need to know about producers' perceptions in order to optimize their role as advisors for key animal care issues in dairy herds
Authors: Croyle S. L. , Khosa D. K. , LeBlanc S. J. , Kelton D. F.
Published: February 2023

Animal care concerns, and thus animal care assessments have been increasing within the dairy industry. In Canada, a national Animal Care Assessment has just been implemented which utilizes animal based measures such as lameness and hock injuries. Veterinarians and producers in Canada agree that the top management issue on dairy farms is animal welfare and the number one health concern on dairy farms is lameness, and they agree that 'supporting animal health and welfare decisions' are major roles of the veterinarian. However, to date, there are no in depth qualitative publications investigating dairy producer's expectations on the role of veterinarians as advisors for animal welfare issues (i.e. lameness, hock injuries). The objective of this study was to explore dairy farmer’s perceptions of the role of the veterinarian as it pertains to communicating and consulting on animal care, and to gain insight into barriers that prevent animal care improvement through veterinarians.
Review
Authors: Schuetze S. J. , Schwandt E. F. , Maghirang R. G. , Thomson D. U.
Published: February 2023

The purpose of this review is to evaluate and report current finished cattle road transportation on animal health and welfare and carcass quality within the United States and Canada. Reviewed literature was divided into the 5 distinct categories of: 1) microclimate; 2) loading density; 3) duration of transport; 4) quality of transport; and 5) animal behavior. These 5 factors influence animal health, welfare, and carcass quality considerations, resulting in differing levels of manipulation and understanding within the reported literature. Duration, loading density, and animal behavior effects are more easily defined than those of microclimate and transport quality. Altering 1 of the factors can have an unintended impact on another, thus causing less defined results. These factors and their interactions must be further evaluated to fully understand the impact these stressors have on animal welfare and economic return. The objectives of this review were to compile previous literature and identify research areas that will further improve cattle transportation.
composition study of a targeted sampling of Ixodidae family ticks and their pathogen status throughout the Flint Hills region of Kansas
Authors: Spare M. R. , Thomson D. U. , Dryden M. W. , Raghavan R. K.
Published: February 2023

Bovine anaplasmosis is an economically significant disease of cattle concerning the producers and veterinary practitioners of the state of Kansas as well as the rest of the United States. Its transmission by iatrogenic vectors has been well classified. The role of persistently infected ticks in the transmission of Anaplasma marginale is also well known, but their role as biological magnifiers and their ability to harbor the bacteria in novel ecological areas warrant further examination. The objective of this study was to quantify the distribution and infection status of Ixodidae ticks throughout the rangeland of the Flint Hills region of Kansas.
Retrospective study of retroperitoneal abscess in cattle
Authors: Ferraro S. , Desrochers A. , Nichols S. , Francoz D. , Babkine M. , Larde H.
Published: February 2023

A retroperitoneal abscess is a collection of suppurative fluid between the peritoneum, the transverse and internal oblique muscles. It was reported in cattle following laparotomy. The objectives of this retrospective cases-series study are to describe the clinical signs, clinical pathological findings, treatment options and outcome.
Evaluation of mycobacterium cell wall fraction (MCWF) immune stimulant as antimicrobial alternative following administration to veal calves
Authors: Aleksandar Masic , Aaron Keunen , Aleksandar Milovanovic , Dejan Bugarski , Stanley Alkemade
Published: February 2023

High levels of mortality in dairy calves is a significant welfare issue and a major source of economic losses. A preventative measure used to reduce mortality is antimicrobial incorporation into the milk or milk replacers. As a result of the abundant use of antimicrobials, high levels of antimicrobial resistant bacteria have been detected. With antimicrobial resistance becoming of greater concern worldwide, it is imperative to seek alternative treatment options. Mycobacterium cell wall fraction (MCWF), Amplimune™ (NovaVive Inc, Canada), is an immunostimulant licensed for treatment of infection caused by enterotoxigenic E. coli in young calves. In a recent study, application of MCWF on arrival in conjunction with metaphylactic treatment significantly reduced incidence and severity of respiratory and gastrointestinal clinical signs in veal calves. The main objective of the current study was to determine if MCWF could be used as a stand-alone preventive therapeutic administered on arrival. We hypothesized that, MCWF could be used as an antimicrobial alternative not only reducing mortality but also significantly reducing the incidence and severity of clinical conditions and consequently the number of antimicrobials used in the veal operations.
Relationship between BCAA and blood pH in diarrheic calves
Authors: Tsukano K. , Suzuki K. , Nishi Y. , Sarashina S.
Published: February 2023

Neonatal diarrhea leads to overall loss of not only electrolytes and water, but also decreases carbohydrates, lipids, and amino acids in calves. The mean fecal fat content was higher in calves with diarrhea than in healthy calves, and the mean caloric intake from milk was decreased by 31% in diarrheic calves compared with that in healthy calves. The negative energy balance continues during the diarrhea period. In addition, diarrheic calves fall into metabolic acidosis. Several studies have demonstrated that metabolic acidosis activates the catabolism of proteins and oxidation of branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) in muscle. If plasma amino acid profiles of diarrheic calves are similar with those in human with acidemia, more energy may be required for diarrheic calves with acidemia. However, intravenous nutrition for diarrheic calves with proteolysis-induced acidemia is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between acid-base status and plasma BCAA concentration in calves with diarrhea. This data may be useful for intravenous nutrition, especially with amino acid solutions, in calves with diarrhea.
Pharmacokinetics and adverse reactions to fentanyl transdermal patches in healthy and hospitalized calves
Authors: Smith J. , Mochel J. P. , Borts D. , Coetzee H. , Schleining J.
Published: February 2023

Fentanyl is a mu opioid receptor agonist that has been used for analgesia in multiple species. One of the more common routes of administration of fentanyl is the transdermal route. There have been multiple reports ofthe use of Fentanyl Transdermal Patches (FTP) in large animal practice as a longer-term method of analgesia. The use of the patches has been described for analgesia in horses, sheep, goats, pigs, and llamas, but there is no data available for the use of this extended-release formulation in cattle.
Induction of hypocalcemia in non-lactating, non-pregnant Holstein cows fed negative DCAD rations with low, medium or high concentrations of calcium
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.
Efficacy of using sex-sorted semen technologies for laparoscopic artificial insemination in a commercial white-tailed deer farm (Odocoileus virginianus)
Authors: Sugai N. J. , Stewart J. , Lima F. S. , Canisso I. F. , Shipley C.
Published: February 2023

The objective of this project is to describe the efficacy of sex-sorting technologies in producing viable sperm for laparoscopic artificial insemination (LAI) in white-tailed deer (WTD). There is an increased demand for implementing advanced reproductive technologies in the WTD industry such as using sex-sorted semen. This could provide producers the ability to select for favorable gender ratios. Flow cytometry is the most effective cell-sorting method and uses DNA differences to sort X and Y chromosome spermatozoa. However, there is limited information available on the efficacy of this technique in cervid species.
Effects of seasonality on male white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) reproductive characteristics
Authors: Stewart J. , Schmidt L. , Ellerbrock R. , Scholz S.
Published: February 2023

The objective of this study was to evaluate reproductive characteristics of white-tailed deer (WTD) bucks early in the breeding season (SEPT), at peak rut (DEC), and late season (MAR). Deer farming is an emerging industry in the United States with dissemination of superior genetics relying on the ability to evaluate bucks and freeze semen. Despite cervid reproduction being strongly influenced by season, there is limited information available on how this affects semen quality, testicle size, or accessory sex glands in WTD.
Finding the herd problem in the single case
Authors: Jones Meredyth
Published: February 2023

Economic realities and need for improved efficiency have required a shift in large animal veterinary practice towards more population-level consultation, with veterinarians spending less of their time treating individual animals. The population, however, is comprised of individuals who provide valuable information about the state of the herd. When presented with the individual animal who is demonstrating overt disease or poor production, the veterinarian has an opportunity to scale-up their impact by using the information obtained from the individual to benefit the herd. Veterinarians should develop a full-service mindset, which includes obtaining a definitive diagnosis through thorough history-taking, physical examination, ancillary diagnostic techniques, and premise visits. Written reports which include stepwise and attainable recommendations are used to improve communication and provide clarity regarding expectations for both the producer and the veterinarian. Follow up calls and visits demonstrate genuine concern on the part of the veterinarian for their client's success, and are an invaluable learning opportunity for the veterinarian. Professional growth for the veterinarian includes learning what works and what doesn't in a given situation. Subsequent herds under the care of a veterinarian practicing the 'no news is good news' approach fail to receive the full benefit of a veterinarian who has disciplined him or herself to follow through on every case. Veterinarians have an opportunity to become indispensable to their clients by channeling every piece of data that may be obtained from the individual to benefit the health and welfare of the herd.