Glacier FarmMedia – A scientist has found that feeding a special probiotic supplement to newborn dairy calves gives them a head start by protecting their health during their vulnerable first weeks of life. “I guess my biggest thing is calves are the future of the farm,” said Maddison Degenshein, who conducted the research for her […] Read more
Tag Archives veterinary medicine — page 3
Supplementing probiotics to calves helps with a healthy start
Research shows protective benefits to calves that had also received colostrum
Be alert to bovines consuming ‘software’
Twine, plastic, rope — there is a good chance it could end up in an animal’s gut
I just completed an autopsy on an older well-doing calf that got suddenly sick dehydrated and toxic-looking. My daughter, also a veterinarian, did an autopsy on a mature cow that was losing weight and going downhill, becoming emaciated and weak. Even though both these clinical signs seem different, as well as the age difference between […] Read more
More funds put up to boost Calgary vet school enrolment
Funding added for more staff, materials on top of infrastructure money
The University of Calgary’s faculty of veterinary medicine, fresh off a major capital funding boost in February’s provincial budget, now gets another $8.4 million over three years to help expand enrolment. “This targeted enrolment funding will go towards hiring on more faculty/staff to teach the increased number of students,” Sam Blackett, press secretary for Advanced […] Read more
Antibiotic boosters to help treat BRD could use more investigation
Researcher says Vitamin C is proved, but other ancillary therapies are not
Are ancillary therapies often prescribed by veterinarians to enhance bovine respiratory disease (BRD) antibiotic treatment worth the investment? That’s the question Dr. Jenna Funk, a beef cattle veterinarian at Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences’ (CVMBS) Veterinary Education, Research, & Outreach (VERO), posed during Grey Bruce Farmers’ Week in January. An ancillary […] Read more
Investigation underway into non-louse-related itching in cattle
Lousy reports leave veterinary researchers itching to dig deeper
After an inordinately high number of lice reports in 2017 and 2018, Solvet dug deep into itchy cattle numbers. The company found it’s not as lousy a situation as first thought but potentially due to various mites, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, and environmental sensitivities or impacts. Despite a high number of reports, investigations showed most […] Read more
Population medicine, technology could streamline livestock care
Mentoring and partnering with farm animal practices can increase vet student confidence
Dr. Rob Swackhammer rummages through the metal toolboxes nestled in a slide-out drawer on the back of his truck. As he searched for dehorning implements, Swackhammer said it can be intimidating for veterinary students to choose a large animal specialty unless they have a passion for it. “There are challenges attracting new vets to the […] Read more
Dwindling large-animal veterinary access heightens food supply risk
Veterinarians are often the first line of defence to prevent and mitigate animal diseases or foreign animal disease outbreaks. However, the increased number of veterinarians and graduates who migrate to companion animal practices could leave food animal practices in a precarious position when it comes to protecting the food supply. Why it matters: Ongoing animal […] Read more
Getting proactive with PRRS
Ontario’s swine industry looks to collaborate on better diagnostics, surveillance to mitigate
A highly virulent strain of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome virus (PRRSV) has renewed focus on the importance of disease surveillance and vaccination programs in the province. Swine Health Ontario (SHO), along with the Ontario Pork Industry Council and Ontario Pork, recently held a webinar for producers and industry to highlight veterinary and producer experiences […] Read more
Managing footrot needs a whole-flock effort
Isolation of infected animals is key to managing hoof health issues
Footrot continues to be a concern for sheep producers across the province. The virus’s ability to survive in warm and wet conditions, and on the hoof of previously infected sheep for many years, makes it a difficult disease to control. “Mud and manure (help) to cause abrasions to the skin to help the infection get […] Read more
Feed additive in development to reduce food safety risks
Plant-based vaccine could be less expensive to produce to control E. coli
Technology that can produce vaccines and antibodies in plant leaves is being put to work in the livestock industry in hopes of preventing the development of a pathogen that causes food-borne illness in people. PlantForm Corporation has launched a new research project with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) and Western University in London to target […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
