Raising Cattle for Dairy and Beef by Kim Pezza

Author:Kim Pezza [Pezza, Kim]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-57826-496-4
Publisher: Hatherleigh Press
Published: 2014-07-28T16:00:00+00:00

Some animals may appear weak, while others may only have chronic diarrhea. The animal usually will not exhibit any signs of fever. Although there seems to be no cure for Johne’s to date, there are preventative measures that can be taken, such as good management, maintaining a closed herd (meaning all replacement animals come from the offspring of your own herd) or purchasing your animals only from low risk or risk-free herds.

Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (Mad Cow Disease)

Bovine spongiform encephalopathy, otherwise known as BSE or Mad Cow Disease, is a fatal neurodegenerative disease which causes spongy degeneration in the brain and spinal cord. Thought to be caused by cattle being fed meat and bone meal (in other words, cattle, which are naturally herbivorous, being fed cattle), BSE is non-breed specific.

The incubation period for BSE can be anywhere from 2½ to 8 years, usually affecting cattle that are 4 to 5 years old. There are no signs or symptoms of the disease during the incubation period. However, when they do begin to show, symptoms may include increased aggression, developing ataxia (a lack of coordination of voluntary muscle movement), a drop in milk production, and becoming anorexic and lethargic.

Although it is not totally understood, it is thought that the infection may be from a transmissible agent called a prion, which is thought to be a modified form of a normal protein, the prion protein. Studies are now showing the possibility that BSE may be able to be detected in the blood before symptoms appear. Attempts to bring BSE under control have been made by bans being placed prohibiting feeding cattle meat and bone meal.

It is possible for BSE to be passed to humans through the consumption of contaminated meat; however, there have been only a few identified cases of cattle with the disease in the U.S.

Mastitis

Note: The term “quarter” or “quarters” refers to the division of the udder into four independently functioning sections—or quarters—of the gland.

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