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Weather changes can raise risk of cattle disease
Kansas An unusually wet spring and summer, in parts of Kansas and elsewhere, have put cattle more at risk for disease, a Kansas State University veterinarian said. "We know to expect increased foot rot and pinkeye problems during wet years. But, we may experience other diseases, too, because of this year's abundance of rain," said Larry Hollis, K-State Research and Extension veterinarian. Water-related problems producers should watch for include: Leptospirosis, internal parasitism (worms), increased liver flukes in liver fluke-prone areas, and such mosquito-borne diseases as West Nile virus, Hollis said. Parts of the nation experiencing similar wet conditions have reported increases in all of these diseases, in addition to anthrax where flood waters have receded. "Of particular concern," he said, "is internal parasitism, which often occurs subclinically in Kansas cattle. With conditions having resulted in a longer worm transmission season this year, cattle worm loads in some areas have reached the stage in which the animals are visibly affected by weight loss." In some cases, the internal parasites have caused death losses, he said. "It could pay producers to be extra vigilant in watching livestock for illness the rest of summer," Hollis said. More information on cattle diseases is available by contacting Hollis at lhollis@ksu.edu or 785-532-1246. More information about K-State's Department of Animal Sciences and Industry --including its Extension programs for producers--is available at www.asi.ksu.edu.
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