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Cooler Weather Increases Diseases

published: November 18th 2008
source: stormwire.com

As autumn ushers in cooler temperatures around the nation, herders must be wary of more than the common cold this season. Producers must be on guard against a possible outbreak of coccidiosis that could have a devastating impact on the beef industry.

Coccidiosis is an intestinal disease that commonly affects cattle and is a serious problem among herders this time of year. Cooling temperatures, confinement and malnutrition increase the incident rates of this costly disease, according to the Cattle Network.

"Coccidiosis is one of the most economically significant diseases in both the beef and dairy industries," said D. Joe Dedrickson, manager at Merial Veterinary Services. "It's usually present in the environment and hits cattle when they're most vulnerable, causing major production losses for beef and dairy producers."

The disease causes rapid dehydration, weight loss and even anorexia in affected cattle. It can result in lowered feed consumption, lessened feed efficiency and sometimes death. Worst of all, clinical signs will not appear until the final phase of the parasite's cycle within the host, when intestinal damage has already occurred.
In light of the fact that just 5 percent of infected animals exhibit even these late breaking symptoms, prevention is crucial for herders this season.

"Being proactive and practicing coccidiosis prevention is a good strategy for most producers and is the only way to help avoid or even minimize loss from this disease," Dr. Dedrickson says. "Producers should administer a coccidiostat labeled for prevention and treatment when coccidiosis infections seem likely."

The stress of confinement also puts animals at greater risk, Dr. Dedrickson said. Calves weaned on-farm, cattle entering feedyards and young dairy animals are all at high risk. In feedyards, the highest incidences of coccidiosis occur in the first 21 days after arrival.

While managers would do well to clear their feedyards of potential contaminants, Dedrickson emphasizes the importance of early treatment.

“Sound management techniques always are a good idea,” Dr. Dedrickson says. “However, since coccidiosis is present in all kinds of environments and operations, it is important that producers use a product that can help prevent the problem altogether and can be used in feed, in water or as a drench.”