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Diseases Associated with Fattening Units
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There are numerous health and disease issues commonly found within a feedlot system. Many are preventable, through vaccinations for common diseases (following veterinarian’s recommendations); vitamin shots when entering the feedlot, properly balanced feed rations and good daily management.
To follow are some of the more common health and/or disease issues found within feedlot systems. The local veterinarian should assist with the diagnosis and management of all health and/or disease-related issues. This pamphlet will focus on preventive management that will control or eliminate these problems.
Although animals in the fattening unit may get a wide range of diseases the ones that will be described are the most common in fattening units.
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Koksidioses |
It is stated that starts when young animals are fed on green pastures or in fattening units. It is caused by koksidia protozoa which are situated in the intestine and are spread by the dung of the animal. Sick animals have diarrhoea and should be treated with a sulfa antibiotic or with diklasuril. Koksidioses can be prevented by adding medicine like monensin to the feed. |
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Bloat |
It is caused by a build-up of gasses in the rumen of the animal. These gasses that usually exit through the mouth and nose of the animal are trapped by foam that builds up in the rumen due to diets that are high in protein. Bloated animals are easily spotted from the abnormal size of the abdomen. Bloated animals are treated by injecting an anti-foam agent directly into the rumen through the paralumbal fossa. |
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Asidoses |
It is caused by a very big amount of carbohydrates that are ingested quickly by the animal. Animals that are not given enough time to adapt to the fattening unit diet get asidoses. The situation can be prevented by making sure that the animals are not fed with too many carbohydrates at a time. |
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Pasteurella |
The disease is caused by the bacteria Pasteurella haemolytica which start to multiply in the respiration tracks of the animal. Animals that are under high stress due to the intensive situation in a fattening unit tend to get this disease more quickly. Animals must be injected with Pasteurella before they enter the fattening unit. |
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Lameness |
Sore feet will cause animals to go off feed. If it hurts to walk, they will not get up and walk to the hayrack or feed bunk and will not compete with healthy animals for grain. Daily observation of the animals is important. If an animal shows the slightest limp, the vet must check their feed for burses or foot rot. The earlier a foot problem is seen, the quicker the animal gets back to gaining weight. If you wait until an animal is walking on three lags before treatment, you will have lost all your profit on that animal. |
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Pinkeye |
Pinkeye is common in feedlot cattle and must be detected and treated early before the animal goes blind. Blind cattle cannot see to find feed or water. Daily observation is essential. The problem is easily detected early with watery eyes. In the advanced stage, the eyes turn white in the pupil. At that stage, the disease can be stopped, but eye damage has already occurred. |
Most diseases and deficiencies can be prevented through good feeding and management procedures. Animals getting a ration that provides all the protein, energy, minerals and vitamins needed have much more resistance to diseases than poorly fed animals.
It is a good principle to call in a veterinarian when diseases are discovered among fattening unit animals. Because the animals are living in close contact with one another, the disease can spread very quickly. Consultation with a veterinarian will ensure that the correct medicine can be given and that the animals can recover in the shortest possible time.
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