couple of calf questions

topside1 · #21 03/25/09, 08:07 AM

Randiliana, just for my calf notes: These type lumps are usually clear up with Sustain III in 2 treatments? That's it and the lump goes down? Granted it could be caused by a splinter, torn or tooth problem. I've never had fot rot here, but for future reference, Sustain III also clear up those systoms? Thanks,,,Topside

randiliana · #22 03/25/09, 08:37 AM

Yes they do, at least any that we have treated. It may take more than one treatment, but I don't think we have treated any more than twice. Penicillin will work sometimes, but not always, so I prefer to use the pills. As long as we are talking about the same Sustain III pills (blue ones that are calf sized) Cause lately up here I can just find the HUGE white ones.

We have never used them for footrot, so I don't know how well they would work. I just use penicillin or Oxytetracycline for that. We don't deal with much foot rot here.

topside1 · #23 03/25/09, 08:48 AM

thanks so much. Here is some other info I dug up...
What is calf diphtheria?
There are two forms of calf diphtheria. The most common is an acute oral (mouth) infection, usually seen in calves less than 3 months old. The second form is usually seen in older calves and affects the larynx (or voice-box), Both forms are caused by the bacteria Fusobacterium necrophorum, which also causes foul-in-the foot and liver abscesses in older cattle.

Clinical Signs
Oral form
Initial presenting sign may just be a swollen cheek
Calf may be otherwise bright and active with no temperature
Examination of the inside of the mouth shows a foul-smelling ulceration and swelling of the cheek
Temperature may be normal at the start
If untreated more signs develop:
High temperature
Coughing
Loss of appetite and depression
Difficulty breathing, chewing and swallowing
Swollen pharyngeal region
Deep ulcers on the tongue, palate, and inside of cheeks
Pneumonia

Usually only a few calves in a batch are infected though outbreaks can occur where hygiene is poor

Laryngeal form:
Coughing : Moist and painful
High temperature
Loss of appetite and depression
Difficult breathing, chewing and swallowing
Pneumonia
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of calf diphtheria is usually based on the clinical signs.
For one-off cases rule out other problems such as BVD and foreign bodies by getting your vet to do a thorough oral
examination
Bacteriology can be also useful.
A post-mortem can confirm the ulcerative nature of the disease, particularly in calves with the laryngeal form
Treatment
Early prompt treatment is important as early treatment is much more effective
Separate the infected animals and isolate them
Antibiotics and pain killers are effective in most cases
The laryngeal form is much more resistant to treatment. Get veterinary advice
Prevention
Fusobacterium necrophorum is a normal inhabitant of cattle intestines and the environment. Under unhygienic conditions, infection may be spread on feeding troughs and dirty milk buckets. Some of the contributory factors for occurrence of this disease include abrasions in the oral mucosa (such as those from erupting molar teeth), poor nutrition and the presence of other diseases present in young calves.

If animals are closely confined, the spread of this infectious disease can be prevented by thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting of all calf feeders. Young calves must be examined daily to identify early stages of the disease.

r93000 · #24 03/25/09, 09:11 AM

Interesting calf diptheria info, thank you for sharing. Now I have to wonder if I've seen this before and treated it like regular oral absess and just gotten lucky on the antibiotic choice.

agmantoo · #25 03/25/09, 09:11 AM

Is this lump/diphtheria problem more prevalent in some parts of the country than others? I see dairy farms with lots of foot rot on confined cows and I rarely see a beef animal on pasture limp. The beef animal normally heals on its on and the problem IMO is not foot rot with them. As far as lumps and knots on jaws all the problems (one or two in the last 5 years) have been from infection and believed to have started inside the mouth.

randiliana · #26 03/25/09, 12:30 PM

Definitely it is more prevalent in confined cattle. Most diseases are. Foot rot is more common in wet areas, or at wet times of the year. The moisture allows the hoof to soften up, and makes it easier for the animal to injure the hoof and for the bacteria to enter the wound. Cattle in feedlot type situations often are in wet or damp pens, or there are areas (around water bowls) that stay wet.

As far as calf Diphtheria goes, it is most common in calves UNDER 3 months of age. We have never had a case in a calf older than that. You could most likely go with the assumption that if the calf is older than that it is probably not caused by diphtheria.

topside1 · #27 03/25/09, 12:48 PM

Great subject, I'm going copy and paste post #23 into the calf raising sticky...

Trisha in WA · #28 03/25/09, 01:37 PM

I sure appreciate all the help and advice here. I will keep you posted to the progress/treatment/and out come.