If you prefer to listen to podcasts, feel free to play the audio version of this blog by clicking on the player above. Podcast: AnthraxLength: 4:22 minutesWritten and read by the author
Continue ReadingWho is C. chauvoei?
Weaning will be upon us sooner than expected. Are your calves ready? Are they protected from blackleg? All breeds of calves are susceptible to blackleg, not just black ones. Beef cattle have a slightly higher risk, do to heavier muscling. Clostridium chauvoei causes an emphysematous swelling in muscles, affecting cattle and sheep. Also referred to […]
Continue ReadingAre You a Fomite?
What is a fomite, you might be wondering? Is it a thing? A place, a condition, or a person? It can actually be three of these things. A fomite is an object that can be contaminated with a bacteria, virus, or prion, and be a source of infection to other animals.
Continue ReadingQ Fever
With a name like Q fever, you would expect this disease to be obscure and rare. In fact, it is found worldwide (except in New Zealand) and can be transmitted to many species in many ways. The name comes from “query” fever because the true cause of the disease was unknown for many years. It […]
Continue ReadingFoot and Mouth Disease
Foot and mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious viral disease of over 70 species of wild and domestic cloven-hoofed mammals. From the OIE Technical Disease Cards, the early signs include “vesicles on the tongue, dental pad, buccal mucosa, cheeks, gums, hard and soft palate, nostrils, muzzle, feet, corium of dewclaws, interdigital spaces, or teats”. […]
Continue ReadingRaccoon Roundworm
Baylisascaris procyonis is the name of the roundworm found in raccoons. It does infect other wildlife species (e.g., skunks, bears) and domestic dogs. People are not the normal host for this worm. Because of this, the worm can cause severe, and sometimes, fatal disease in people.
Continue ReadingRabies
If you prefer to listen to podcasts, feel free to play the audio version of this blog by clicking on the player above. Podcast: Rabies Length: 5:20 minutesWritten and read by the author
Continue ReadingPasteurization of Milk
In the Introduction to Raw Milk blog, we briefly touched on pasteurization. Here, we will cover the specifics of the process, and why it is a vital step in ensuring the safety of the foods you consume. Pasteurized foods can become contaminated after the process if they are not handled properly (including kept refrigerated).
Continue ReadingIntroduction to Raw Milk
There have been a few articles in the news recently involving cases of human illness from drinking raw (unpasteurized) milk or consuming dairy products made with unpasteurized milk. A few of the more common bacteria associated with raw milk are Listeria, Salmonella, E. coli, Q fever, and Campylobacter. Brucella is a less common, but severe […]
Continue ReadingBovine Vaccines
Cattle herds of all sizes benefit from the protection of herd immunity. This is achieved by annual vaccination of all animals against diseases that are prevalent in the area. It is especially important for any cattle that will be comingled with other herds, such as show calves or cattle that are grazed in open range […]
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