Corneal dermoid in a beef calf

A 10-mm circumscribed nodule, containing hair, was noted on the ventral cornea, limbus and conjunctiva of the right eye of a 6-month-old male Hereford calf. With the animal restrained in a chute and proparacaine used as a topical anesthetic, superficial keratectomy was performed to remove the mass. The edge of the bulbar conjunctival wound was sutured to the limbus with 6-0 Vicryl. Chloramphenicol ophthalmic ointment was applied TID for 5 days. Recovery was uneventful.     

Diabetes mellitus in a 6-month-old Charolais heifer calf

This unthrifty heifer calf was thin, weak and had a dull haircoat. Urinalysis and blood work revealed glycosuria, ketonuria, hypoproteinemia, and hyperglycemia. Euthanasia and necropsy were performed, revealing multifocal intersitial lymphocytic infiltration, an absence of islet cells, and a positive stain for bovine viral diarrhea virus in the pancreas.     

Congenital nutritional muscular dystrophy in a beef calf

A 13-hour-old Aberdeen-Angus was involuntarily recumbent since birth. Congenital nutritional muscular dystrophy was suspected based on clinical findings, increased serum creatine kinase, and decreased serum vitamin E and selenium levels. Recovery followed after supportive therapy and parenteral vitamin E and selenium. Reports of this disease in newborn calves are unusual.     

Congenital hypotrichosis and partial anodontia in a crossbred beef calf

Clinical examination, skin biopsies, skull radiographs, and DNA analysis of a 2-day-old Red Angus-Charolais-Simmental cross bull calf confirmed the diagnosis of congenital hypotrichosis and anodontia defect (HAD), also called anhidrotic ectodermal dysplasia, which is a rare anomaly caused by a deletion in the bovine EDA gene on the X chromosome.     

Evaluation of a fixed-time artificial insemination protocol for postpartum suckled beef cows

Treatment with melengestrol acetate (MGA), an oral progestin, prior to administration of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and prostaglandin F2alpha (PG) effectively synchronizes estrus and maintains high fertility in postpartum beef cows. The objective of this experiment was to determine whether treatment with MGA prior to a GnRH-PG-GnRH protocol would improve pregnancy rates resulting from fixed-time artificial insemination (AI). Multiparous crossbred beef cows at two University of Missouri-Columbia farms (n = 90 and n = 137) were assigned by age and days postpartum to one of two treatments. Cows were fed carrier (1.8 kg x animal(-1) x d(-1)) with or without MGA (0.278 mg x kg(-1)) for 14 d. All cows were administered GnRH (100 microg; intramuscularly) on d 12 after MGA or carrier withdrawal and 7 d before PG (25 mg; intramuscularly). All cows received a second injection of GnRH and AI 72 h after PG. Mean days postpartum for MGA and control cows at the initiation of treatment were 39.6 and 38.9 d for herd 1; and 51.9 and 50.9 d for herd 2, respectively (P > 0.70 within herds). Blood samples were collected from all cows at 10 and 1 d before the feeding of MGA or carrier began and at the times GnRH and PG were administered. Concentrations of progesterone in serum at the initiation of treatment were elevated (>1 ng/mL) in 0% of MGA and 7% of control cows in herd 1, and 54% of MGA and 49% of control cows in herd 2 (P > 0.05 within herds). Pregnancy rates to fixed-time AI were determined by transrectal ultrasonography 50 d after AI. Pregnancy rates in herd 1 were 58% (26/45) and 51% (23/45) for MGA-treated and control cows, respectively (P = 0.52), and 63% (44/70) and 45% (30/67) for MGA-treated and control cows in herd 2, respectively (P = 0.03). Differences in pregnancy rates to fixed-time AI were significant (P = 0.04) when data from the two herds were combined (with MGA = 70/115 [61%]; control = 53/112 [47%]). There was no difference (P > 0.20) in final pregnancy rates (timed AI plus 45 d exposure to bulls) between treatments, within herds, or when herds were combined. In summary, pregnancy rates resulting from fixed-time AI may be improved with treatment of MGA prior to a GnRH-PG-GnRH protocol.     

Lymphosarcoma of the pharyngeal region in a 7-month-old beef steer

A steer presented for retropharyngeal swelling and dyspnea. Biopsy of the swelling indicated lymphoblastic lymphosarcoma, and necropsy revealed involvement of regional veins and arteries. The tumor was classified as a non-T, non-B lymphoma based on CD3 polyclonal antibody stains. Lymphosarcoma is unusual in this location, but should be considered with retropharyngeal swelling.     

Immunoglobulin transfer and weight gains in suckled beef calves force-fed stored colostrum.

Concentrations of immunoglobulins and total proteins in second-day post-partum serum samples of 62 beef calves from multiparous dams were measured by zinc sulphate turbidity, electrophoresis, radial immunodiffusion and refractometry. These results, together with health records and weight gains, were used to evaluate the practice of routinely force-feeding 1 L of stored colostrum to suckled beef calves immediately after birth. There was no apparent benefit from such force-feeding. It did not result in greater 48-hour serum immunoglobulin levels, nor did it improve weight gains at 42 days. None of the calves required treatment for neonatal disease, but one force-fed calf died from inhalation of regurgitated colostrum.     

Foetal and calf wastage in Bos indicus cross beef genotypes

The prevalence, stages and causes of foetal and calf wastage were determined in Brahman (1/2 B, 3/4 B) and Sahiwal (1/2 Sah, 3/4 Sah) and high grade Sahiwal (HGSah) genotypes over a 12-year period. The mean total loss from pregnancy being first diagnosed to weaning was 13.5% (range 9.4 to 19.0%) and was not influenced by cow age. Across all age groups total losses were significantly lower in 1/2 B (11.8%) and 3/4 B (11.7%) than in 1/2 Sah (16.3%) and 3/4 Sah (19.4%) which were in turn significantly lower than in HG Sah (26.5%). Mean prenatal, perinatal and postnatal losses were 3.5%, 4.4% and 5.6%, respectively. For prenatal losses, 42.4% occurred in early-, 34.8% in mid- and 23.0% in late gestation, the prevalence being influenced only by year effects. Perinatal losses were lowest in 3/4 B (2.9%) and highest in 3/4 Sah (8.3%) with other genotypes intermediate. Postnatal losses were lowest in 1/2 B (4.1%) and 3/4 B (5.0%), intermediate for 1/2 Sah (7.2%) and 3/4 Sah (6.2%) and highest in HG Sah (15.5%). In Brahmans, important causes of perinatal and postnatal losses were from unknown causes, and in Sahiwals from bottle teats, unknown causes and factors influenced by the cow. Bottle teats were mostly in cows older than 2 years with the majority being in Sahiwals. A high proportion (44%) of the postnatal losses occurred by 14 days after birth.