Animal Health PDF

Parasites 1.​ Coccidia ○​ Cause: Protozoan parasites (Eimeria species). ○​ Environment: Moist, dirty environments with poor sanitation, often in crowded conditions such as barns or pens. ○​ Symptoms: Diarrhea, weight loss, dehydration, poor growth....

Parasites 1.​ Coccidia ○​ Cause: Protozoan parasites (Eimeria species). ○​ Environment: Moist, dirty environments with poor sanitation, often in crowded conditions such as barns or pens. ○​ Symptoms: Diarrhea, weight loss, dehydration, poor growth. ○​ Treatment: Administer anticoccidial drugs (e.g., amprolium); provide clean, dry environments. 2.​ Grubs ○​ Cause: Larvae of warble flies (Hypoderma species). ○​ Environment: Common in pastures during fly season; larvae migrate through the animal’s skin after eggs are laid on the legs. ○​ Symptoms: Swellings along the back, reduced weight gain, hide damage. ○​ Treatment: Apply topical insecticides; maintain fly control programs. 3.​ Liver Flukes ○​ Cause: Parasitic flatworms (Fasciola species). ○​ Environment: Wet, marshy pastures with standing water, as they require snails as intermediate hosts. ○​ Symptoms: Anemia, jaundice, weight loss, reduced feed efficiency. ○​ Treatment: Deworm with flukicides (e.g., clorsulon). 4.​ Lungworms ○​ Cause: Parasitic nematodes (Dictyocaulus species). ○​ Environment: Damp, humid pastures with high vegetation; larval stages thrive in wet conditions. ○​ Symptoms: Coughing, difficulty breathing, reduced feed intake. ○​ Treatment: Deworm with ivermectin; improve pasture drainage. 5.​ Roundworms ○​ Cause: Intestinal nematodes (Ascaris species in swine). ○​ Environment: Contaminated soil, bedding, or manure in unsanitary conditions. ○​ Symptoms: Poor growth, coughing, bloated abdomen. ○​ Treatment: Deworm with broad-spectrum anthelmintics; maintain clean housing. 6.​ Strongyles ○​ Cause: Intestinal nematodes (Strongylidae family). ○​ Environment: Grazing pastures, particularly in areas with high animal density and contaminated feces. ○​ Symptoms: Diarrhea, weight loss, colic. ○​ Treatment: Rotate pastures; deworm regularly. Diseases Cattle (Beef/Dairy) 1.​ Bloat ○​ Cause: Gas accumulation in the rumen due to high-grain diets or frothy pasture plants. ○​ Symptoms: Swollen abdomen, distress, difficulty breathing. ○​ Treatment: Use a stomach tube or trocar; administer anti-bloat agents. 2.​ Bovine Viral Diarrhea (BVD) ○​ Cause: Viral infection by the BVD virus. ○​ Symptoms: Diarrhea, fever, reduced fertility, abortions. ○​ Treatment: No cure; supportive care; vaccinate for prevention. 3.​ Pinkeye ○​ Cause: Bacterial infection by Moraxella bovis. ○​ Symptoms: Eye redness, swelling, cloudy cornea, discharge. ○​ Treatment: Apply topical antibiotics; reduce UV exposure. Swine 1.​ Coccidiosis ○​ Cause: Protozoan infection (Isospora suis). ○​ Symptoms: Yellow diarrhea, poor weight gain. ○​ Treatment: Administer anticoccidials; improve hygiene. 2.​ Exudative Dermatitis (Greasy Pig Disease) ○​ Cause: Bacterial infection by Staphylococcus hyicus. ○​ Symptoms: Greasy skin, lesions. ○​ Treatment: Topical antibiotics; improve hygiene. Poisonous Plants 1.​ Cherry ○​ Toxic Agent: Cyanogenic glycosides (cyanide). ○​ Symptoms: Rapid breathing, trembling, convulsions, respiratory distress, and death. ○​ Treatment: Administer sodium thiosulfate or sodium nitrate as an antidote. 2.​ Coffee Senna ○​ Toxic Agent: Anthraquinones. ○​ Symptoms: Muscle degeneration, weakness, diarrhea, and death. ○​ Treatment: Remove animals from affected areas and provide supportive care.  3.​ Jimson Weed ○​ Toxic Agent: Tropane alkaloids (atropine, scopolamine). ○​ Symptoms: Rapid heartbeat, dilated pupils, tremors, incoordination, and death. ○​ Treatment: Remove access to the plant; provide activated charcoal and supportive care. 4.​ Lantana ○​ Toxic Agent: Lantadenes (triterpenoids). ○​ Symptoms: Photosensitivity, liver damage, diarrhea, and jaundice. ○​ Environment: Grows in warm climates, often in pastures and near fences. ○​ Treatment: Remove from pasture, administer activated charcoal, and provide supportive care. 5.​ Nightshade ○​ Toxic Agent: Solanine (alkaloid). ○​ Symptoms: Drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, and death. ○​ Environment: Found in overgrazed pastures, gardens, and woodlands. ○​ Treatment: Supportive care; ensure no further ingestion. 6.​ Pigweed ○​ Toxic Agent: Nitrates and oxalates. ○​ Symptoms: Respiratory distress, kidney damage, and sudden death. ○​ Environment: Common in pastures, particularly in disturbed areas. ○​ Treatment: Provide supportive care; prevent further access. 7. Horse Nettle ○​ Toxic Agent: Solanine (alkaloid). ○​ Symptoms: Drooling, abdominal pain, diarrhea, paralysis, and potential death. ○​ Environment: Common in overgrazed pastures and roadsides. ○​ Treatment: No specific antidote; provide supportive care and remove access to the plant. Physiological Disorders 1.​ Ketosis ○​ Cause: Energy deficit during high production periods (e.g., lactation). ○​ Symptoms: Reduced appetite, staggering, sweet-smelling breath, weight loss. ○​ Treatment: Administer glucose precursors (e.g., propylene glycol); balance energy in the diet. 2.​ Milk Fever ○​ Cause: Low blood calcium levels, typically in high-producing dairy cows around calving. ○​ Symptoms: Muscle tremors, weakness, inability to stand, decreased appetite.  ○​ Treatment: Administer calcium intravenously; prevent with proper calcium-phosphorus balance before calving. 3.​ Retained Placenta ○​ Cause: Failure to expel the placenta after parturition. ○​ Symptoms: Foul-smelling discharge, fever, reduced appetite. ○​ Treatment: Monitor for infections, administer antibiotics if needed, and support uterine clearance naturally. Wound Types 1.​ Abrasions ○​ Description: Superficial wounds affecting the outer skin layer. ○​ Treatment: Clean with antiseptic, apply wound dressing, and monitor for infection. 2.​ Abscesses ○​ Description: Localized infection leading to pus-filled swelling under the skin. ○​ Treatment: Drain surgically, flush with antiseptics, and administer antibiotics as needed. 3.​ Cuts ○​ Description: Open wounds caused by sharp objects. ○​ Treatment: Clean with antiseptic, suture if deep, and administer tetanus prophylaxis. 4.​ Punctures ○​ Description: Deep, narrow wounds caused by sharp objects. ○​ Treatment: Clean thoroughly, monitor for infection, and administer tetanus prophylaxis. Surgical Procedures 1.​ Abscess Draining ○​ Purpose: Removes pus and relieves pressure from localized infections. ○​ Procedure: Lanced surgically; wound is flushed and treated with antiseptics and antibiotics. 2.​ Castration ○​ Purpose: Controls reproduction and improves meat quality. ○​ Methods: ​ Surgical removal of testicles. ​ Nonsurgical methods include Burdizzo clamps or elastrator bands. 3.​ Dehorning ○​ Purpose: Prevents injuries among cattle and reduces risks during handling. ○​ Methods: ​ Hot iron dehorning.  ​ Removal with surgical saws or scoops. 4.​ Tail Docking ○​ Purpose: Prevents tail biting in pigs or maintains cleanliness in sheep. ○​ Methods: Surgical removal or use of elastrator bands in young animals. Non-Surgical Procedures 1.​ Artificial Insemination (AI) ○​ Purpose: Improves genetic quality and breeding efficiency. ○​ Procedure: Semen is deposited directly into the female’s reproductive tract using sterile equipment. 2.​ Branding and Marking ○​ Purpose: Identifies livestock for ownership or management purposes. ○​ Methods: ​ Hot branding. ​ Freeze branding. ​ Ear tagging. 3.​ Vaccination ○​ Purpose: Prevents infectious diseases and builds herd immunity. ○​ Procedure: Administered via injection (intramuscular, subcutaneous) or oral routes. 4.​ Injections ○​ Purpose: Administers medications, vitamins, or growth promotants. ○​ Methods: ​ Intramuscular (IM): Into the muscle. ​ Subcutaneous (SQ): Beneath the skin. ​ Intravenous (IV): Directly into the bloodstream. 5.​ Castration (Nonsurgical) ○​ Methods: ​ Burdizzo Clamp: Crushes the spermatic cord without breaking the skin. ​ Elastrator Bands: Cuts off blood supply to the testicles, leading to atrophy.