Large Animal Clinics Theory 2 - Bovine

Calf production starts ________ weeks before calving with vaccines against scours and deworming. Calving then occurs from ________ to ________. After this, the next round of vaccines begin (bulls=BSE/footrot, rest of herd with the 5/8 way) and another round of deworming. Breeding season begins again from ________ to ________, and then cows are preg checked in the ________, calves are weaned, and vaccines are boosted and given another round of deworming. (answer ___/___/___/___/___/___)

Cattle are typically kept in the feedlot until they are ________ months  of age (1300-1600 lbs finishing weight). 

For dairy cattle, cows spend ________ months open, ________ months being bred and milked, and ________ months dry. This means that there are ________ months with milk. (answer ___/___/___/___)

For herd health management programs, it is important that a valid ________ exists. It is based on maximizing animal health through disease ________ and control (biosecurity), animal welfare, well-being and comfort, and optimal animal production. Optimal health and production means optimal financial returns for the producer! (answer ___/___)

Check all that apply for important factors in a dairy herd health program.

• A.

  Vaccination protocols

• B.

  Observation of all animals for injury or signs of disease

• C.

  Complete, accurate, and reliable record keeping

• D.

  Protocols for the prevention, detection, and treatment of disease or injury, including lameness

• E.

  Protocols for pest control

• F.

  Training programs and protocols for animal handlers

• G.

  Individual animal ID and treatment records to ensure no animal is shipped prior to withdrawal times

• H.

  Ability to isolate new arrivals to the herd

• I.

  Calving protocols

Bull breeding soundness exams (BSEs) include a physical and internal exam, a microscopic semen evaluation, and a libido evaluation. These exams are important in order to reduce ________ losses and optimize ________. For example, for evaluating the libido, we evaluate the bull's desire to ________, ease of ________, ability to achieve ________, and the successful vaginal intromission and ejaculation. (answer ___/___/___/___/___)

Bulls reach puberty around ________ months (average is ________ months), and a BSE should take place ________, at least ________ days before turn-out on every breeding bull in the herd. (answer ___/___/___/___)

All bulls should have a standard physical examination completed, along with examination of the ________, ________, ________, and ________, as well as should be seen for signs of any ________. Testicles/epidiymi are palpated fo symmetry, consistency, heat, excessive fat, lumps, and so on and the scrotum is evaluated for any abnormalities. We must also evaluate the prepuce for any abnormalities. Often, the penis cannot be examined until it is protruding during collection. (answer ___/___/___/___/___)

How long does it take to get from germ cells to mature sperm in a bull?

• A.

  2.5 weeks

• B.

  6 weeks

• C.

  2.5 months

• D.

  6 months

A ________ examination is used to evaluate the health of secondary sex organs. The most common abnormality is ________ of the seminal vesicles (seminal vesiculitis) which can result in ________. Infections or abnormalities of the other organs are periodically encountered. (answer ___/___/___)

For bulls, the penis must be checked to make sure that it extends in a ________ line, and that there aren't any ________ lesions of the prepuce or glans, growths and ________, or ________ lesions, or for any other abnormalities. (answer ___/___/___/___)

The scrotal circumference can predict the ________ of the testes and provide an accurate estimate of daily sperm production and quality (fertility). Bulls with ________ than minimum scrotal circumference should be classified as questionable or unsatisfactory, regardless of semen quality. Keep in mind that it will vary between ________ and ________ of the bull. The most significant growth occurs from the ages of ________ months, but selection is often done at ________ months, with most not reaching maximum size until ________ years, but after this time, the measurements are not as accurate.  (answer ___/___/___/___/___/___/___)

Semen is collected via ________-ejaculation, ________ (trans-rectal) stimulation, or by use of an ________ vagina (rarely). Semen is evaluated based on ________  (volume and number), and ________ (motility, morphology, and absence of disease.) It is important to keep the sperm warm and alive (________ degrees C!) (answer ___/___/___/___/___/___)

For semen evaluation, semen should be scored as good or better in all categories to be satisfactory.

• A.

  True

• B.

  False

The acceptable ratio of bulls:cows in an average beef cattle herd should be ________ bulls to ________ cows. (answer ___/___)

A heifer reaches puberty roughly around ________ months old, breed dependent. The goal is to have them calf at ________ months, so they need to be bred at ________ months. (answer ___/___/___)

A cow's gestation period ranges roughly ________ days, with the average being ________ days. A cow's reproductive lifespan begins upon conception of the first calf as a heifer until ~5-7 years. Cattle are ________ polyestrous, with a ________ day cycle, have ________ follicular waves, and exhibit behaviours such as being ________, restlessness, vocalizing, ________ licking/sniffing, and vulvar swelling. (answer ___/___/___/___/___/___/___)

Estrus in cattle lasts ________ hours. It is easy to tell when a cow is in this state, because she goes into a standing heat (AKA ________). One or multiple follicles finish maturing within the ovary due to ________ release from the anterior pituitary. The follicles secrete ________ which causes a surge of ________ which causes the follicle ovulation and releases the ovum. (answer ___/___/___/___/___)

Metestrus lasts approximately ________ days and the cow becomes no longer sexually receptive. The mature follicle is now lysed and estradiol and LH levels ________. The newly ruptured follicle undergoes luteinization and gradually becomes a corpus luteum which then produces ________. (answer ___/___/___)

Diestrus lasts approximately ________ days until approximately day ________ or ________. The CL is now mature and progesterone levels are at their highest. If pregnant, progesterone continues to dominate until end of gestation, with occasional FSH surges. If the embryo does not send out pregnancy signals, or if no pregnancy takes place, the endometrial lining of the uterus releases ________. (answer ___/___/___/___)

After prostaglandin is released due to lack of pregnancy, diestrus transitions into proestrus which lasts approximately ________ days. This is where the cycle starts over. ________ is no longer suppressed and is released to trigger the release of FSH and LH to cause a new follicle to grow. Once estradiol levels peak, the cow enters estrus again. (answer ___/___)

Calving should take, on average, ________ hours. ________ will generally take longer. (answer ___/___)

If a cow is having trouble calving, you will see ________ with no sign of a water bag, a ________ posture with front and back legs stretched out, no calf within ________ hours of the bag appearing, any part protruding that isn't the ________ and ________ legs together, ________ stained fluid at the vulva, depression, or an unwillingness to eat. It is important to call the vet if there is no progress made after ________ hour(s) of straining, or if there is any ________ positioning of the calf. (answer ___/___/___/___/___/___/___/___)

Check all that apply for what you may need for cases involving a dystocia.

• A.

  History/physical examination

• B.

  Restraint

• C.

  Epidural

• D.

  Tail tie

• E.

  Vulvar scrub

• F.

  Arm wash/OB gloves + lube

• G.

  Vaginal examination

• H.

  Obstetrical operation

Obstetrical operations include things such as ________ (moving/adjusting fetal limb or head position), forced ________ (pull), ________ (if calf is deceased), or a c-section. (answer ___/___/___)

________ provides maternal antibodies and must be received within the first ________ hours after birth, but ideally within ________ hours. A high quality product is tan to yellow in colour with a thick and creamy consistency. (answer ___/___/___)

When the calf is born, it is super important to clear their ________ using a bulb syringe. The newborn should begin breathing within ________ seconds at ________ RPM. The pulse should be between ________ BPM. For colostrum, ________% of the calf's body weight should be ingested within the first 12-24 hours. Calves are also prone to ________, so heat should be readily available and should be kept on appropriate bedding. ________ should be passed within the first 24 hours of life. (answer ___/___/___/___/___/___/___)

A neonate's umbilical chord should rupture naturally, but if there is excessive bleeding, we should place hemostats. Topical treatment of dilute chlorhexidine should be applied.

• A.

  True

• B.

  False

Cows can experience a variety of post-partum problems such as uterine ________, retained ________ (RP), milk fever, ________, displaced ________, and fatty ________ (fat cow syndrome). A lot of these issues occur within the ________ month of calving and can be linked. Proper nutrition/energy requirements and body condition are important. (answer ___/___/___/___/___/___)

Uterine prolapse in cattle usually occurs right after ________. It is important that the farmer does not ________ this cow! Do not force the cow to stand, place in a 'frog leg' position if down. To treat this, we use an ________, gently scrub the uterus with warm water and scrub and knead the uterus back into place completely and suture any tears. A purse string suture with a Hauptner needle and umbilical tape to three fingers width. ________ and ________ are used to help with uterine contraction and involution. ________ are commonly given. It ________ (does/does not) seem to be a heritable condition. (answer ___/___/___/___/___/___/___)

Vaginal prolapse in cattle usually occurs in the last ________ weeks of gestation. Treatment is the same as for a uterine prolapse, but the sutures need to be removed just before ________. This condition is ________ and affected females are usually culled or removed from the breeding herd. (answer ___/___/___)

The placenta in ruminants should be passed within ________ hours from parturition. If the female shows no sign of systemic illness, it is safe to wait ________ hours before contacting a vet. A retained placenta is usually treated with ________ and ________ to stimulate contractions and involution. ________ are often given systemically. (answer ___/___/___/___/___)

The most common type of dairy housing used in today's industry is the ________ stall barn and the most common type of milking parlour is the ________. The milking unit consists of 4 parts: the ________ cup assembly, the ________/suspension cup, connecting ________, and the milk ________. (answer ___/___/___/___/___/___)

A typical dairy cow produces ________ pounds of milk every year; or 6-7 gallons per day in a 305 day milking cycle.

The beef industry is divided into 4 production systems: 1) seed stock/pure bred ________, 2) cow/calf ________, 3) stocker feeder/________, and 4) ________ house. Most heifers will calve in the ________ and feeder calves are sold in the ________. The process of keeping the calves in the fall and feeding them is called ________. ________ will weigh 1000-1250lbs and ________ will be 900-1050lbs before shipping. (answer ___/___/___/___/___/___/___/___/___)

With respect to BCS, prompt corrective action must be taken to improve the BCS of cattle with a score of 2 or less.

• A.

  True

• B.

  False

Check all that apply for situations in which an electric prod is unacceptable.

• A.

  Repeatedly on the same animal

• B.

  Used on the genitals, face, or udder

• C.

  Calves less than 3 months old

• D.

  No clear path for the animal to move

• E.

  First resort

• F.

  Risk to human or animal safety

In 2016, changes for pain medications included use in consult with vet to mitigate pain associated with dehorning after horn bud attachment, and when castrating a bull older than 9 months. In 2018, an addition was made to say that pain control is important to use when castrating bulls over 6 months.

• A.

  True

• B.

  False