The Rural Voice, 2019-05, Page 35related to dry cow diets that
contained a higher percentage of
straw.
While colostrum remains an ever-
present topic – better fresh or stored
frozen, natural or artificial, etc. – the
emergence of calf coats is a new
development noticed by the four vets.
It is more uncommon to see a calf
without a coat now, said MacLeod.
Also, auditing is the new buzz
word for checking on the health of
calves while doing chores. This is for
catching early signs of pneumonia or
scours.
Wallace often provides
questionnaires to farmers as a means
of determining some bad habits that
might be responsible for calf
mortality.
She also recommended the use of
“calf incubators” to warm newborns.
A calf can better absorb the
antibodies and nutrients in colostrum
if it has a proper body temperature,
said Wallace.
The use of a live vaccine rather
than a killed vaccine was
strongly stated by Walker. The
reasons being it is cheaper and longer
acting. However it can’t be given to
pregnant cows.
In Canada the main benefits of
vaccine have proven to be prevention
of pneumonia and reproductive
problems.
Timing of vaccination is
important with a modified live
vaccine given 30 days after
parturition in a “rotational
vaccination program.”
Pylypjuk offered a word of
general advice to farm clients. “You
don’t need to do the right thing all
the time, just the right thing at the
right time.”
Establishing knowledgeable vet
panels could become the challenge
for dairy trade shows. Fewer students
are training to become large animal
veterinarians, noted Wallace.
Training or mentoring new vets is a
part of his practise that MacLeod
enjoys.
New vets come to the profession
with enthusiasm but they learn to
deal with on-farm challenges by
working with experienced vets before
going out on their own, said
MacLeod. ◊
May 2019 31
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