Sheep and Beef Articles
The following is a list of Articles that might be of interest to you. Just click on the title and you will be directed to the article:
The following is a list of Articles that might be of interest to you. Just click on the title and you will be directed to the article:
Clostridial diseases include Pulpy Kidney, Tetanus, Malignant Oedema, Black disease and Black Leg.
It is a little concerning that there are some farms that do not vaccinate against these diseases. A comment I get when talking about clostridial vaccines is – “Why should I vaccinate when I don’t have the disease?” A relevant question if you truly did not have the disease, but what did suddenly kill that well grown calf last autumn, or why did that weaner die and “blow up” so quick last spring.
The clostridial bacteria are plentiful. They are in the environment, they are the bugs responsible for decomposing dead organic matter either animal or plant. They can be found in the gut of animals. When they get out of control – there is trouble.
Pulpy Kidney causes sudden death of calves after a change of feed – usually the biggest calf in the mob.
Tetanus bacteria enter the body from a cut in the skin and lead to “lock jaw” and terminal seizures.
Malignant Oedema (gas gangrene) gets in from skin wounds, which become necrotic, then gassy – the animal then succumbs to blood poisoning.
Black disease occurs secondarily to liver fluke infection. The immature liver fluke damage the liver, allowing clostridial bacteria to multiple, causing tissue damage followed by blood poisoning and death.
Black leg causes necrosis and blackening of muscles (usually of the leg) followed by gas production, blood poisoning and death.
Treatment is usually unsuccessful. The progress of the disease is so rapid that animals are usually just found “dead”.
Traditionally these above diseases have been prevented by using “5 in 1” vaccines – e.g. Ultravac 5 in 1. This is a good place to start, but in New Zealand we do have 6th bacteria which is not included in the 5 in 1. Infection with this one causes “sudden death syndrome”
Covexin 10 protects against 10 types of clostridial infection that can be found overseas. It is considered the gold standard for clostridial vaccination and is the vaccine of choice for cattle.
The normal vaccination protocol is a sensitizer dose followed a month later by a booster dose starting as early as 2 weeks old for Covexin 10, and starting at any age for Ultravac. A booster dose is due every 12 months thereafter.
FACIAL ECZEMA
At times spore counts will exceed 500,000, and even over a million in many areas, usually only in the North Island which is considered as “high risk”. That risk may continue into June in some areas.
Prevention may require more than one approach. e.g. Time capsules and pasture spraying.
Zinc can be used in a number of forms, but at high spore count, there will still be some affected animals. For lactating cows at least, ensure they also get limeflour and organic copper.
Zinc oxide for drenching or mixed with feed. 2.5grm/100kgs lwt/day minimum
Zinc sulphate (mono or heptahydrate; know which you have because they have different dose rates. Mono approx 5 grm/100kgs, Hepta 7.5gms/100kgs) can be used in water or feed. Make sure you have the correct dose. Make sure you check what sort of zinc is in meal and at what concentration!
Zinmol is a molasses zinc product, useful in shed or in feed.
Time capsule zinc boluses give good coverage for 4 – 6 weeks. Ensure you are using the correct sizes, and they must be repeated, up to 3 times.
Mycosorb added to drench or feed appears to help – use in addition to zinc – there is no research to prove any effectiveness against F.E, but it seems to help at high risk.
Some further points to consider ..
Grass Samples for Testing:
We need 60 gm (bread bag full) of grass from a height at which the cow is eating to. Do not get soil in the sample. (you will need to cut close to the ground) . Collect multiply samples from different locations where you anticipate moving your cattle.
Have them delivered to The Vet centre, and we should have your results the same day.
If you have further querries, please phone us (5445566) or contact us