The Rural Voice, 1982-07, Page 14ANIMAL SCIENCE
Dairy herd health products
Dairymen have a continual need for products on the farm that
will prevent and control disease. It saves time and money if the
items required are on hand and the farmer can use them properly
says Dennis McKnight, head of the Livestock Section at Centralia
College of Agricultural Technology. A close working relationship
with a local veterinarian is important says Mr. McKnight and
these suggested products should only be purchased in
consultation with him.
The easiest way to list health care products is to discuss general
' health problem areas. McKnight says the udder and mastitis
control is one of the major problem areas. A California mastitis
test paddle and solution should be a standard feature in every
dairybarn. A strip cup should be used routinely as well with
periodic use of the paddle. In conjunction with the paddle,
composite sampling bottles and quarter sampling bottles would
also be an asset to herd management. When actual mastitis
treatment is needed producers should purchase the disposable
individual tube or ointment applicators rather than bulk bottles.
Many of the injectables require cold storage and so a refrigerator
in the milkhouse is highly advisable. A penicillin -streptomycin
and broad spectrum antibiotic should provide adequate coverage
of most bacterial disorders. Dry cow treatment for mastitis is a
highly recommended product to have on hand as well but it is
critical that it be administered properly and that it be one that will
control organisms present in the udder and surrounding
environment. Consult your veterinarian for the product (s)
recommended.
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Other udder problems do occur adds Mr. McKnight. An udder
balm or ointment will in most cases help to reduce the swelling in
udders of heavy producers or fresh cows. In extreme cases a
diuretic bolus may be necessary. Sometimes heifers won't let milk
down and oxytocin is handy for that as well as an aid in the passing
of the afterbirth from fresh cows. Although expensive.
udder -supports have a place on many farms with heavy producing
and/or large uddered cows. With teat injuries it may be necessary
to use medicated teat dilators to keep the teat canal open.
Metabolic diseases occur occasionally, necessitating early
prevention or rapid treatment. Hardware disease can be
prevented by placing magnets in all bred heifers. A balling gun is
useful to administer magnets and boluses to control internal
parasites and scours. Several items are useful if bloat occurs.
Sometimes sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) mixed in the grain
mix will correct the problem but it may be necessary to use a liquid
bloat medicine (dioctol). A stomach tube and mouth speculum is
the safest and surest way of administering liquid products. In
severe cases it may be necessary to use a trocar to puncture the
rumen wall to relieve gas. If Ketosis is suspected, acetonemia test
pills are also good items to have on hand. A gallon of propylene
glycol will control many suspected ketosis cases. Milk fever is
much more difficult to correct. Although it is a good idea to have a
bottle of calcium gluconate in storage, McKnight cautions that an
inexperienced dairyman needs the assistance of a veterinarian to
determine proper dosage.
Foot care products might include knives, cutters, possibly a
hoof trimming stall, wound dressing and foot ointment. Injectable
antibiotics may be necessary again as will an iodine based
solution to flush the foot wound. The same product could be used
for dipping teats and navels.
Calves usually require a great deal of medical attention as the
young are the most susceptible animals on the farm. Newborn
calves should receive an injection of Vitamins A, D, and E and a
Vitamin E -Selenium combination. A rectal thermometer is a
necessity for all stock but especially for calves. Several should be
kept on hand in case of breakage. Dehydration from scours can
occur and scours medicine, in the form of powders or boluses,
should be available to correct the situation early. An oral
electrolyte (salt) solution may be needed in cases of dehydration
and intravenous administration may be required in severe cases.
Not all of these items listed are required by every dairy farm
concludes Mr. McKnight. Some can probably list others missed
here. The main purpose of these suggestions is to give something
to compare with your present inventory of health care products.