ID-218: A Fresh Cow Health Monitoring System

Donna Amaral-Phillips, Michelle Arnold, Jeffrey Bewley, Amanda Sterrett | Apr. 2, 2014 (New)

Researchers at the University of Kentucky combined existing disease detection systems to produce a fresh cow examination system that may help producers detect diseases earlier by monitoring subtle changes every day during a cow's fresh period. Compiling daily information about each animal will enable producers to notice changes in health that may otherwise have been overlooked. These records may help producers detect illnesses early, thus reducing the long-term effects (reduced milk production or fertility) and costs (re-treatment, milk loss, or death) of a disease. Learning what diseases are common on a particular farm can focus producers' efforts towards preventive measures specific to their operation. Preventing disease, rather than treating, can save producers time and money and can improve overall cow well-being.

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VET-34: Forage-Related Cattle Disorders: Ergotism

Michelle Arnold | Mar. 31, 2014 (New)

Ergotism and fescue toxicosis are clinically similar syndromes caused by consuming plants containing ergot alkaloids. The toxic effects and mechanisms of action are similar in both syndromes although the alkaloids are produced by different species of fungi. It grows on rye, wheat, barley, triticale, oats, and various grasses. Rye and triticale are more susceptible than other grains because they require a longer period of pollination. Grasses potentially infected include tall fescue, bluegrass, brome, canarygrass, quackgrass, timothy, wild barley, and annual and perennial ryegrass. Shallow cultivation, no-till farming, and lack of crop rotation increase the likelihood of infection of crops. Environmental conditions of a cool, wet spring followed by hot early summer temperatures are ideal for the fungus to grow.

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VET-33: Colostrum Management for Dairy Calves

Michelle Arnold | Jan. 22, 2014 (New)

During gestation, the placenta of the cow effectively separates the blood of the fetus from that of the dam and prevents any transfer of protective immunity while in the uterus. Therefore, the calf is born completely dependent on the absorption of maternal antibodies from colostrum after birth. Colostrum is the milk produced from the mammary gland in the first 24 hours after birth. A calf's gastrointestinal tract is designed to temporarily allow the absorption of large molecules including antibodies from the small intestine, but only during the first 24 hours after birth. Although colostrum contains several different types of immunoglobulins, IgG accounts for roughly 85 percent of the total volume. IgG absorption is most efficient in the first four hours of life and declines rapidly after 12 hours of age. At 24 hours, the gut is completely closed and there is no further immunoglobulin absorption. These absorbed antibodies must be consumed in order to protect the calf from disease organisms until its own immune system becomes functional.

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SR-106: Review of Life Cycles of Some Parasitic Nematodes in Mammals

Gene Lyons | Oct. 28, 2013 (New)

Most internal parasites of vertebrates require stages outside the host for development and transmission. Some life cycles are simple and straightforward. Others may have one or more intermediate or paritenic hosts. Knowledge of life cycles of parasites first of all is of great scientific interest. Secondly, life cycles are of great importance in controlling parasites. The object of this presentation is to review life cycles of some mammalian parasitic nematode species in research in association with the University of Kentucky.

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ID-212: Using DHIA Records for Somatic Cell Count Management

Donna Amaral-Phillips, Michelle Arnold, Jeffrey Bewley | Apr. 26, 2013 (New)

DHIA (Dairy Herd Improvement Association) records are an essential part of dairy herd management for many progressive dairy operations. However, for producers new to DHIA, interpreting the meaning of all this information can be a bit overwhelming. Even producers who have been DHIA members for many years may not fully understand all the value that DHIA records can provide for SCC management. What follows is a description and interpretation of SCC-related information available to dairy producers on DHIA test reports.

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ID-208: Recommended Milking Procedures for Maximum Milk Quality

Michelle Arnold, Jeffrey Bewley | Nov. 30, 2012 (New)

When it comes to minimizing mastitis and lowering somatic cell counts, the area where you have the most control is your milking procedures. Understanding and following proper milking procedures is a critical step to maintaining maximum milk quality.

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ID-209: Management of the Dry Cow to Prevent Mastitis

Michelle Arnold, Jeffrey Bewley | Nov. 30, 2012 (New)

As we move into a new era of lower acceptable somatic cell count levels, the prevention and control of mastitis takes on increased importance. For many years, the contagious mastitis pathogens including Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus agalactiae and Mycoplasma bovis were the focus of control measures primarily implemented in the milking parlor to stop the spread of these organisms from cow to cow. These contagious organisms often cause high individual somatic cell counts and ultimately high bulk tank somatic cell counts. As these high somatic cell count cows have been culled due to milk marketing regulations and more dairymen have adopted NMC recommended milking procedures, the contagious pathogens are decreasing.

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ID-135: Infectious Bovine Keratoconjunctivitis ("Pinkeye") in Cattle

Michelle Arnold, John Johns, Jeff Lehmkuhler, Patty Scharko | Sep. 24, 2012 (Major Revision)

Infectious Bovine Keratoconjunctivitis (IBK), also known as pinkeye, is a costly disease for the beef producer. Tremendous losses stem from poor weight gain and loss of appetite in affected animals suffering from visual impairment and ocular pain.

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SR-2000-1: A Practical Method of Identification of the North American Cyathostomes (Small Strongyles) in Equids in Kentucky

Sharon Tolliver | May. 3, 2012 (Major Revision)

Now that veterinarians and researchers are beginning to accept the pathological consequences that can be caused by cyathostomes (small strongyles), more and more researchers want to learn to identify them. Fortunately, for those just learning, the reality is that they will probably see fewer than one-third of the 33 species. Additionally, these species are the most prevalent and in the greatest numbers; consequently, they are the most dangerous to equids. Once a person is familiar with these, a rare species will "stick out like a sore thumb." The fact that a species is so different will be noted and its characteristics easily remembered.

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ID-190: Staphylococcus Aureus Mastitis

Michelle Arnold, Jeffrey Bewley | Mar. 5, 2012 (Reprinted)

Staphylococcus aureus is an important bacterial cause of contagious mastitis on dairy farms worldwide. More importantly, it is often at the root of chronically high somatic cell counts, recurrent clinical mastitis, and damaged mammary gland tissue. It is considered to be a contagious udder pathogen that spreads within and between cows during milking. Because it is often subclinical (milk looks normal but with a potentially high somatic cell count), infected animals pose a risk of infection to herd mates during each milking.