clinical disease | Ag Proud

Diagnosing and managing a leptospirosis crisis on a 500-cow dairy

A veterinarian describes the navigation and successful treatment of a leptospirosis crisis; highlighting the challenges, diagnostic breakthrough and importance of collaboration in addressing unforeseen herd health issues.

April 2, 2024

Emma Ohirko

A mysterious disease that pops up suddenly, spreads quickly and strikes with devastating consequences is pretty much every dairy farmer’s worst nightmare. For one ill-fated central Alberta dairy, this nightmare became a grim reality.

The cost of discarded milk and how to lower it

Mastitis benefits from cost-effective treatment decisions, achievable through selective treatment, shorter antibiotic courses and other factors that minimize milk discard.

March 18, 2024

Emma Ohirko

With 10% to 35% of cows experiencing mastitis each lactation, grappling with its cost is a reality of milking cows. A Canadian study showed mastitis costs dairy farmers roughly $660 per cow per year, making it the costliest disease of dairy cattle.

Finding value in problem situations

Proper diagnostics will define the challenges and ensure correct solutions are implemented to reduce risk and recover value from disease situations.

September 11, 2023

Jason Anderson

Illness and death of animals is frustrating, no doubt. It has been said, “If you’re going to have livestock, you’re going to have deadstock.” While it may be a cliché, it is an unfortunate reality.

The salmonella triangle

Preventing feed and water contamination, managing stressors, and supporting gut health are essential for controlling and preventing clinical salmonellosis in dairy cows.

July 24, 2023

Angela Rowson

Salmonella is a highly infectious and contagious, gram-negative bacterium that can hide from a cow’s immune system by living inside other cells.

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