Livestock - Common Diseases

We take great pride in providing a comprehensive service 24 hours a day all year round to treat sick cows and calves. Farm animal work has been the cornerstone of the practice since its foundation and our team of highly skilled and experienced vets constantly strive to improve the profitability of our client’s

farms by optimising animal welfare are production.

Pneumonia in Housed Calves

Pneumonia is the most common illness in housed calves, with a mortality rate of approximately 3% in the first 12 weeks of life. The cost of treating pneumonia, along with the loss of performance and time spent

managing the disease, can significantly impact farm efficiency and profitability.

Cattle affected by pneumonia earlier in life take about two months longer to reach finishing weight.

Cattle exposed to pneumonia but not showing visible symptoms take approximately one month longer to

finish.

A Multifactorial Disease,

Pneumonia is a complex disease often caused by multiple factors. While vaccination is important, other

factors such as nutrition, colostrum intake, housing hygiene, ventilation, overcrowding, and stress must

also be managed effectively to reduce the risk of pneumonia.

Pneumonia Vaccination

A variety of vaccines are available to protect against the most common viruses and bacteria that cause

pneumonia. These include:

Intranasal Vaccines: Target the two most common viral causes – Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and Parainfluenza Type 3 (Pi3). These vaccines can be administered to calves from a young age, depending on the brand used.

Injectable Vaccines

Provide protection against RSV, Pi3, and a major bacterial cause, Mannheimia haemolytica. These vaccines can be administered to calves from two weeks old.

IBR (Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis).

IBR is a viral disease that causes acute inflammation of the upper respiratory tract, leading to reduced

animal performance and economic losses. The virus can remain dormant in animals and flare up during

periods of stress, causing them to shed the virus and spread the disease.

IBR Vaccination: Available in both intranasal and injectable forms, these vaccines can be administered

alongside pneumonia vaccines. In herds with widespread IBR, intranasal vaccines can be used from two weeks of age, while injectable vaccines can be given from three months of age.

Leptospirosis

Leptospirosis can lead to:

Abortion

Reduced conception rates

Milk drop

Poor calf growth and performance

Leptospirosis is also a significant risk to humans and is considered an occupational hazard. The most

effective control method is vaccination, which helps reduce the shedding of the bacteria from carrier

animals and decreases the overall number of carriers in the herd.

Treatment Product Details

Dosage: 2 ml

Administration: Subcutaneous injection (ideally in the neck)

Vaccination Schedule:

Initial Vaccination: Two doses, spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart. Calves can start basic vaccination from 4

weeks of age.

Annual Revaccination: A single 2 ml dose per year.

Vaccines are available at our clinic Please contact us for more details or to schedule a vaccination

appointment for your herd.

Legal Classification: LM

Withdrawal Period: Zero days

Salmonellosis

In Ireland, cattle are most commonly infected with two types of Salmonella species: Salmonella dublin

and Salmonella typhimurium. The signs of salmonellosis in cattle can include:

Diarrhoea
Abortion

Typically, herds will experience either one of these symptoms, but not both at the same time.

Vaccines are available at our clinic Please contact us for more details or to schedule a vaccination

appointment for your herd.

Clostridial Diseases

Clostridial diseases, which account for 5-10% of post-mortem cases, affect cattle most commonly between three and 12 months of age.

Clostridia are bacteria that live in the soil and are highly infectious,although they do not spread directly between animals. Clostridial infections include blackleg, tetanus,malignant oedema, black disease, botulism, sudden death syndrome, bacterial redwater, andenterotoxaemia.

Clostridial Vaccination

Clostridial vaccines protect against a range of clostridial diseases and typically require a primary courseof two injections, spaced 4-6 weeks apart. An annual booster is necessary to maintain immunity. It is best to avoid administering the primary or booster vaccines too close to other vaccinations.

General Vaccination Protocol

Allow purchased calves to settle for 24 hours before administering their first vaccines.Ensure calves are healthy before vaccinating, as vaccines will be less effective if the animals are ill.

Minimise stress around vaccination time by avoiding procedures like disbudding or castration.Store vaccines according to the label instructions and use clean equipment, including syringes, needles, and nasal spray applicators.

Regularly change needles and applicators during vaccination.

Administer vaccines according to the label instructions, and ensure all follow-up booster vaccinations are given to maintain immunity.Please contact us for more details or to schedule a vaccination appointment for your herd.pathogens. Developing a herd health plan can also help maintain optimal animal health.

Common Causes of Calf Scour:

Calf scour can be caused by a variety of pathogens, including parasites, viruses, and bacteria.

Here are some of the most common causes:

Parasites

Cryptosporidia: A protozoan parasite that can cause severe diarrhea, particularly in young calves.

Coccidia: Generally affects calves older than 3 weeks, leading to diarrhea and dehydration.

Viruses

Rotavirus: A common viral cause of diarrhea in calves, typically affecting younger calves.

Coronavirus: Another viral pathogen that can cause watery diarrhea, often leading to dehydration and

weight loss in calves.

Bacteria

Salmonella: A bacterial infection that can cause severe scours, often accompanied by fever and lethargy.

E. coli: Primarily affects calves under 5 days of age, leading to diarrhea, dehydration, and sometimes

septicemia.

Infections from these pathogens can cause a range of symptoms, from mild diarrhea to severe

dehydration and even death. Early identification and treatment are crucial to preventing severe health

issues in affected calves. If your calves exhibit any signs of scour, it’s important to seek veterinary advice

promptly.

Symptoms of Calf Scour

Calf scour is a common condition, easily recognized by changes in a calf's feces and overall behavior.

The following symptoms are typically observed:

Key Symptoms of Scour

Frequent, watery diarrhea: Calf feces becomes more frequent, larger in quantity, and has a higher water

content than normal.

Bright yellow or white feces: The color of the feces may change to bright yellow or white.

Depression and lethargy: Calves may appear weak, lethargic, and reluctant to feed.

Sunken eyes: Dehydration may cause calves to have sunken eyes and possibly a raised body

temperature.

Skin tenting: When skin is lifted, it may remain peaked or tented, a sign of dehydration.

Weight loss and weakness: Affected calves may show signs of weight loss, weakness, and a decrease in

overall health.

Severe cases: In the most severe instances, calves may collapse, fall into a coma, and die.

If you notice any of these symptoms in your calves, prompt veterinary attention is essential to ensure

proper treatment and care.

Calf Scour

Lungworm

Lungworm, caused by the parasite Dictyocaulus viviparus, is a significant concern for cattle farmers in

Ireland, especially during the grazing season. It primarily affects young cattle, but older cattle can also

become infected if they haven't been exposed previously or if they have weakened immunity.

What is Lungworm?

Lungworm is a parasitic infection that affects the lungs and airways of cattle. The larvae are ingested

while grazing on pasture contaminated with larvae from the environment, and they then travel to the

lungs, where they mature and cause inflammation.

Symptoms of Lungworm Infection:

The clinical signs of lungworm infection can range from mild to severe, and may include:

Coughing: Particularly during exercise or when disturbed.
Labored breathing:
Nasal discharge:
Loss of appetite:
Poor growth:
Fever

In severe cases, lungworm can lead to pneumonia and even death if not treated.

Diagnosis

Lungworm infection can be diagnosed by your veterinarian through:

Feel free to contact us for a free consultation on veterinary advice. Our team is here to provide expert

guidance and support tailored to the needs of your livestock. Reach out today to discuss your concerns

or book an appointment!

What Farmers Need to Know About the New Veterinary

Medicine Regulations

In September 2024, new Veterinary Medicinal Products Regulations were introduced, which bring significant changes to the way veterinary medicines, including anti-parasitics, are prescribed and dispensed.

Here’s what farmers need to know:

1. Anti-Parasitics Will Require a Prescription

From June 2025, anti-parasitic products (e.g., fluke and worm treatments) will be classified as prescription-only medicines (POM) for food-producing animals. This means that you will need a veterinary prescription to obtain these products, ensuring that they are used carefully to prevent resistance.

2. Introduction of the National Veterinary Prescription System (NVPS)

From mid-January 2025, all veterinary medicinal products (except anti-parasitics) will need to be prescribed and dispensed using the NVPS, an electronic system that ensures better tracking and responsible use of veterinary medicines.

From June 2025, anti-parasitics will also be prescribed and dispensed through the NVPS, allowing farmers to access prescriptions via email or text.

3. What This Means for Access to Medicines

The NVPS will allow farmers to have more flexibility in where they purchase veterinary medicines, as prescriptions will be sent electronically to the farmer. When the requirement for anti-parasitics prescriptions comes into effect in June 2025, farmers will still be able to access these products through licensed retailers and co-ops, but only after completing a proper

assessment with a vet.

4. Impact on Your Farm Practices

The new regulations aim to promote responsible use of veterinary medicines, helping to tackle antimicrobial and anti-parasitic resistance. Proper farm management practices, such as good biosecurity, husbandry, and vaccination, will be

essential to minimize the need for medicines and improve overall farm health and productivity.

5. Electronic Prescriptions

From January 2025, electronic prescriptions will replace paper prescriptions. This will streamline the process and provide better access to medicines, as prescriptions will be sent directly to farmers via email or text.

The NVPS also provides a system for tracking medicines, ensuring compliance and responsible usage.

6. How This Affects Your Veterinary Practitioner

Starting in January 2025, your vet will be required to use the NVPS for issuing prescriptions for most veterinary medicines.

From June 2025, all anti-parasitics will require a veterinary prescription. Your vet will also need to follow an assessment protocol if they are not providing ongoing care for your farm.

7. Focus on Reducing Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)

The regulations are part of the EU’s plan to reduce antimicrobial use in farming by 50% by 2030 to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Farmers are encouraged to focus on disease prevention rather than relying on antibiotics. This can be

done through good biosecurity, farm husbandry, and vaccination programs.

8. What You Can Do to Prepare

Consult with your vet: Work with your vet to develop a herd health plan that includes vaccination and preventive care to reduce the need for veterinary medicines.

Stay informed: Keep track of when the prescription requirements take effect and make sure you’re prepared to meet the new regulations.

Maintain good farm practices: Continue to improve farm biosecurity, husbandry, and animal health management to reduce the need for medications.

By following these regulations, you will help to promote the responsible use of veterinary medicines, improve animal health, and protect public health by reducing the risk of resistance.