Agricultural News
Early, Effective Treatment Strategy for BRD in Drought-Stressed Cattle is Vital- Dr. Marc Campbell of Merial
Tue, 20 Nov 2012 04:13:39 CST
The drought in Oklahoma is continuing to take its toll, and Dr. Marc Campbell, a veterinarian with Merial, Ltd., from Pawnee, Okla., says the dry weather and poor forage conditions are really socking it to calves. He says the incidence of Bovine Respiratory Disease is up for a number of reasons.
"This year and last year we're having to wean these calves earlier with maybe they haven't had the vaccinations they usually get on their mother because of the drought situation. Then they're drought-stressed because they haven't received, maybe, the nutrients they needed throughout the weaning period or even when they're on their mother. So, we have seen more BRD or pneumonia this year and last year than we see in a normal year."
Campbell says his company's product, Zachtran, is very effective in treating BRD and is easy to administer.
"It's got a convenient dose: 2 cc per 110 pounds of body weight and the good thing is it's quick-acting and long-lasting. Within 30 minutes of subcutaneous dose, it's in the lungs working. Then it lasts for up to 10 days. It's exactly the right treatment for cattle."
Campbell says it's important for producers to keep an eye on their herds, and to treat for BRD when symptoms first present themselves.
"That is the most important part about BRD is early treatment. Delayed treatment is, you're already behind the eight ball. But that early treatment makes a big difference. And then use an antimicrobial that it quick-acting."
He says there are multiple reasons why drought-stressed calves are more susceptible to BRD.
"They're deficient in nutrients. And that's protein, minerals, vitamins--everything. And their immune system just doesn't work quite as well as it should. And then the dust. We're seeing a lot more pneumonia just because of the dust whether its calves on the cow or when you're weaning calves because their bawling and sucking in that dust all the time. Then, if you put yourself at that calf's level, their walking behind their mother going to feed or going to water, all they're doing is breathing dust. And they cannot get a fresh breath of air. One of the main causes of BRD is dust."
Parasites can also be a problem in drought-stressed animals, and Campbell says his company's Eprinex brand dewormer has a lot going for it.
"It's a pour-on dewormer and it's rain-fast, nonflammable. It kills more parasites than any other product out there. There are 39 species and stages of parasites."
He says it is ideal for use in calves and is especially effective when used strategically at certain times of year when parasites present the most danger to calves.
You can learn more about Zachtran by clicking here. You'll also find more information about Eprinex by clicking here.
The Beef Buzz is a regular feature heard on radio stations around the region on the Radio Oklahoma Network- but is also a regular audio feature found on this website as well. Click on the LISTEN BAR below for today's show- and check out our archives for older Beef Buzz shows covering the gamut of the beef cattle industry today.
WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady® NSI
Top Agricultural News
More Headlines...
