Preventing Calf Diarrhea with Dr. Elizabeth Homerosky

Dr. Colin Palmer, one of our reproductive specialist veterinarians from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine here at the University of Saskatchewan joins the podcast again this week to discuss the important topic of subfertility in beef bulls. Today we focus on the parts of the breeding soundness exam that greatly impact fertility - scrotal circumference and semen morphology. Dr. Palmer describes some of the most common sperm defects and why they occur.00:00 –Welcome and introductions01:05 – Importance of body condition score in bulls03:16 – Scrotal circumference and it’s impact on fertility10:02 – Identifying testicular and scrotal problems16:05 – Accessory sex glands and seminal vesiculitis18:45 – Evaluating the semen sample21:55 – Abnormal sperm morphology – why does it occur?24:12 – Common sperm morphology abnormalities – Distal midpiece reflexes and proximal droplets32:00 – What does the term “Rusty load” mean in terms of sperm defects?35:05 – Genetic sperm abnormalities37:12 – Why is 70% normal sperm considered acceptable?40:21 – Summary and wrap up

Dr. Colin Palmer, one of our reproductive specialist veterinarians from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine here at the University of Saskatchewan joins the podcast to discuss the important topic of subfertility in beef bulls. Why do we need to perform bull breeding soundness exams? What are the implications of various factors such as lameness and other physical problems on bull fertility? These are just some of the topics we discuss in this first part of a two part episode.00:00 –Welcome and introductions03:54 – Importance of herd fertility in cow-calf operations and factors that affect it10:45 – Value of a limited breeding season14:22 – Subfertility vs Infertility16:08 – Importance of the breeding soundness examination of the bull19:21 – Meaning of the various classification categories27:22 – Impact of lameness on bull fertility31:06 – Other factors that may affect fertility that can be identified in physical examination34:23 – Summary and Wrap-up

This week, Dr. Nathan Erickson and Dr. John Ellis join me to discuss the emergence of Bovine influenza A virus in cattle. We discuss what is currently known about this emerging disease issue at this point in time. New information is being acquired about the impacts and spread of Bovine Influenza A virus and this podcast gives information on the disease as known around April 12, 2024. Please rely on your local veterinarians or government veterinary offices for the most up to date information on this issue. Emerging diseases remind us of the importance of preventive practices. Using raw colostrum only from your own herd, not introducing orphan calves or nurse cows from dairy herds and quarantining new animals for 21 days will help prevent the introduction of diseases like Bovine Influenza A virus, Foot and Mouth Disease, and many other diseases. Find tips at https://www.beefresearch.ca/topics/biosecurity/00:00 –Welcome and introductions04:10 – Clinical signs seen in dairy cow outbreaks in US08:06 - A primer on Influenza viruses10:28 – Influenza D virus role in respiratory disease in cattle12:15 – Hosts for Influenza A virus16:09 – High pathogenic vs low pathogenic influenza viruses18:21 – How influenza viruses change and jump to other species20:00 – Possible ways of spread of Bovine influenza A virus25:00 – Possibility of Bovine Influenza A virus in beef cattle27:14 – Human health implications28:29 – Herd to herd spread and biosecurity precautions31:59 – Summary and Wrap-up

Dr. Chris Clark, an internal medicine specialist from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine joins the podcast to discuss how best to treat neonatal diarrhea in calves. We discuss how to detect dehydration and acidosis in an affected calf and the best ways to utilize oral electrolytes. We also discuss when a calf will need intravenous therapy and the limited value of antibiotic therapy. Check out the great resources on the Calf 911 section of the BCRC website for more information.https://www.beefresearch.ca/producers/calf-911-resources/00:00 – Welcome and introductions02:33 – Preventing calf scours is the best option06:02 - Causes of calf scours08:58 – Assessing hydration in a calf 14:36 – Acidosis20:43 – How to utilize oral electrolytes25:31 – What to look for in an electrolyte solution29:18 – Antibiotics are of limited value for scours therapy31:39 – Summary and wrap up

The calf that presents with acute abdominal issues or colicky symptoms is not uncommon on cow-calf herds around calving time. In this episode, Dr. Blake Balog from Cattle Health Management in Brooks, Alberta joins the podcast to discuss the causes of colic in young calves and how the producer should approach these cases when faced with them.00:00 –Welcome and introductions04:08 – How do calves present with colic or acute abdominal problems?05:06- What should you do if you identify a calf with colic?08:11– Atresia coli and atresia ani13:16 – Intestinal accidents 18:46 – Abomasal ulcers and other abomasal issues26:25 – Navel problems that may cause colic33:36 – Final advice for dealing with calves with colic34:39 – Wrap up