animal, plant & soil science lesson c5-8 managing animal health ppt: apsr: c5-8 e-unit: 010089

Animal, Plant & Soil Science

Lesson C5-8Managing Animal Health

PPT: APSR: C5-8E-Unit: 010089

http://www.mycaert.com/

Interest Approach

Bring in a pair of tattooing pliers and show the class. Write a number on the board that would be used in tattooing cattle (e.g., A24 or B56). Have the students attempt to write the number backwards on a sheet of paper. Ask one student to put the numbers in the tattooing pliers. Have the student with the pliers press the tattoo onto a sheet of paper. Compare the results an the paper. Ask other students to try to tattoo the correct number on the paper.


Objectives

Identify good animal health management practices.

Discuss beneficial record keeping programs for dairy.

Explain common maintenance needs to promote animal health.

Describe identification possibilities for various animals.


Terms

branding castrating dehorning docking earmarks heat mastitis tattooing


What are good health management practices?

Every type of animal needs specific management practices for good health.

There are some broad similarities between some species and breeds.

It is better to prevent problems before they occur.

Many of the same management practices can be used for all animals.



A. Always make sure that you purchase your animals from a reputable person. If you start out with healthy animals, it

will be less expensive and less stressful.

If you start out with infected animals, you may deal with the problem for a very long time.



B. Obtain animals only if you have a specific use for them in mind. Bringing in new animals always

presents some risk of introduction of disease and other problems.

If you are not committed to completing the necessary paperwork, do not buy animals that will require it for proper health records.

C. Clean and disinfect all areas before bringing animals into an area.



D. Ensure that all animals are fed properly. Many problems can be

avoided with proper nutrition. E. Keep animals out of weather that

they do not tolerate well, in order to avoid illnesses and discomfort.

F. Keep track of sexual maturity of animals so that they are not bred at the wrong time or to the wrong mate.



G. Monitor animals daily so that you are aware of what is normal and will notice when anything is not normal.

H. Dispose of dead animals properly to avoid further infection.

I. Separate sick animals from healthy animals until you are positive the disease or parasite under control.

J. Call a veterinarian for any situation beyond the control of the owner or manager.


What records should be kept to encourage good animal health

with dairy animals?

Animals have specific record keeping needs, depending on the species or breed, to encourage good health.

Dairy animals require more paperwork than most.

The breeding program of a dairy is essential to the success of the business.

Common ailments in dairy cattle can be tracked and avoided with proper records of herd health.



with dairy animals?

A. Records of dairy animals are done on an individual basis. Each cow is monitored for pregnancy,

production, and milk quality. Milking dairy cows two to three times

each day at consistent times helps maintain health.

Studies show that milking more frequently decreases mastitis and seems to improve general udder health.

Mastitis is an infection of the milk-secreting glands.



with dairy animals?

B. Detailed records of breeding programs should be kept, including heat detection and heat cycles. Heat describes the time in a cow’s

estrus cycle when she can get pregnant.

Breeding records will help to determine if there is a reproductive problem with the animal.



with dairy animals?

C. Good animal health requires keeping track of growth and mortality rates. By logging this

information, you may notice patterns that can be addressed.



with dairy animals?

D. Keeping records of genetic information is beneficial. There might be undesirable traits that

are passed on to new generations. Genetic records can also be used to

show that an animal has quality offspring.

E. Pregnancy records need to be maintained.


Simple maintenance can help to promote animal health.

Proper management of common maintenance tasks can save time and money in the animal business.

Many of these practices can be performed by, or with the help of, a veterinarian.

Proper timing is the key to successful maintenance.

Some maintenance practices are discussed here.



A. Dehorning of animals is common to ensure that the animals do not hurt each other, themselves, or humans. Dehorning is the removal

of horns by use of chemicals, hot irons, saws, or other means.

There are several methods of dehorning.

A person should always make sure to have the proper knowledge and equipment before dehorning an animal.



B. Castrating is removing the testicles from male animals so they cannot breed. Often males are less

aggressive and easier to handle after being castrated.

C. Docking of tails is a common practice for piglets and lambs. Docking is the term used to describe

removing the animal’s tail.



D. Bedding animals is a very important health management practice. Animals that have clean, dry bedding

are less likely to be sick from parasites, diseases, drafts, cold, and so on.

Using the proper kind and amount of bedding is essential.



E. Removal of manure and urine is necessary. Many diseases are passed through

feces. Removing the feces will decrease the

occurrence of contamination. F. The animal facility should be kept

free of rats, birds, and other animals that spread diseases.


Healthy Environments for Animals

Good sanitation is important to good health

Factors related to good sanitation Keeping facilities and animals clean Use of clean equipment

Feeders, milking equip, breeding equip, needles & syringes, surgical equip

Syringe – an instrument used for giving injections or to draw body fluids

Disinfectants should be used when cleaning equipment & facilities Disinfectants – material that kills disease

causing organisms Housing

Should be clean & free of cold drafts Good air circulation to help lower tem &

reduce humidity Avoid dry & dusty conditions Proper Maintenance of facilities


Handling Manure Piles of manure are often sources of poor

health Manure attracts flies which may lead to

disease Excessive manure can lead to poor air

quality May reduce rates of gain May lead to feet & leg problems in feedlots

Feedlots – areas in which large numbers of animals are grown for food


Controlling Pests Control of pests & parasites

Regular use of disinfectants to control parasites such as lice and flies prevents disease.

Prevention is preferable to controlling outbreaks Control of birds & wild animals

Many birds carry parasites on their bodies and in their droppings


Wild animals and pets may also cause serious health problems when allowed to roam freely around farm animals. Bites from the animals may cause

infection Pets around farm animals may cause the

animals to be nervous and may affect how they grow and produce.


Isolation Keeping new animals apart is good

prevention Recommended to keep new animals isolated for

a minimum of 30 days for observation May want to isolate animals returning to farm

Animals with contagious diseases should not be in contact with healthy animals.

It is difficult to treat unhealthy animals in large groups

Healthy animals tend to pick on unhealthy ones


It is important to rotate pastures in which animals roam Many diseases of animals are harbored in

the soil and are killed only by not being able to come into contact with host animals for extended time periods

Host Animal – animal in or on which diseases or parasites can live.

Moving animals to different pastures on a regular basis allows for the breakdown of animal waste and for pasture regrowth.


2 Major categories of disease. Contagious – those that can be passed on

to other animals.

Non-Contagious- disease cannot be spread to other animals

Animals with contagious disease must be isolated as soon as the disease is identified.

Diseases

Humans must be careful in handling infected animals because some diseases can be transmitted to humans

Humans handling animals should become familiar with the proper techniques, vaccinations, and precautions to avoid disease and parasitic infection

Diseases

Causes of Diseases Contagious diseases are caused mostly by

bacteria & viruses. Can be spread by direct contact, shared

housing , or contaminated feed or water Can be spread by birds, rodents, or insects Non-contagious may be caused by nutrient

deficiencies or nutrient excess Poisonous plants & animals, injection of

foreign material, and open wounds may cause disease.

Diseases

Symptoms Poor growth reduced

production Reduced feed intakerough, dry hair coat Discharge from nose or eyes Coughing or gasping trembling or

shivering Unusual discharges open sores or wournds Unusual swelling, lumps, and knots Abortion Peculiar gait or other odd movements Some diseases have little or no external

symptoms that occur.

Parasites

Two types of parasites Internal – inside the animal External – living on the outside of the

animal Types of Internal Parasites

Roundworms – slender worms that are tapered on both ends

Flukes – very small, flat worms Protozoa – microscopic one celled

organisms

Parasites

Parasites

Parasites

http://curezone.org/image_gallery/parasites/all/default.asp?i=7&n=64

Most internal parasites spend some of their life-cycle outside the host animal During this period the parasite may most

easily be spread. Contact with discharges from infected

animals, contaminated feed, water, housing, or secondary hosts may cause the spread of internal parasites

Secondary Host – a plant or animal that carries a disease or parasite during part of the life cycle of that disease or parasite

May be spread by insects – mosquitoes and flies

Parasites

External Parasites – include flies, ticks, mites, & fleas

Parasites

Symptoms of parasitic infection Poor growth diarrhea or

bloody feces Weight loss worms in feces Constant coughing and gagging Anemia swelling under neck Lowered production & reproduction Poor stamina loss of hair and mange

Mange – presence of crusty skin condition caused by mites

Visibility of parasite itself

Parasites

Procedures for preventing and treating Administering drugs Dipping Restraining animals Feed additives Vaccination

- injection of an agent into an animal to prevent disease

Preventing & Treating Animal Health Problems

Factors to be considered before administering drugs. Determine the amount to be administered Type of drug to use Purpose of the drug Site of administration of the drug Type of animal to be treated


Most information can be found on the drug container.

Must follow the manufacturer’s recommendations closely

It is important to consider the amount of time the drug will remain in the body. Important in determining how long milk or meat

will be contaminated Must be determined how long to wait before

treated animals or product can be slaughtered or sold.


Forms that drugs may come in Pills

Force pill as far down the side of the mouth as possible using hand or balling gun.

Balling Gun – a device used to place a pill in the animals throat


Forms that drugs may come in Powders

Normally mixed in feed or water May need to withhold feed or water before

administering drug

Dipping – a process for treating animals, mostly cattle & sheep, for external parasites

Involves a vat with medicated water and forcing the animals to walk or swim through it.

May be used with dogs for ticks and fleas Popular when large numbers of animals must be completely

covered with medication


Taking Temperatures Usually taken in the rectum Animal thermometers are normally longer & heavier Should have string attached Coat the thermometer with sterile jelly.

Determine Pulse and Respiration Rates Pulse rate taken by holding ear to animals chest and listening to

heartbeat Respiration rate taken by watching rib cage move


Restraining Animals Head gates Nose leads Squeeze Chutes Casting harnes Halters Snares Twitches

Vaccination Prevention of disease is nearly always less expensive than

treating animals once they have disease Vaccination is the injection of an agent into an animal to

prevent disease. The agent causes the animal’s body to become immune to the

disease Immune – means not affected by something


Feed Additives Used primarily to control the incidence of

low level infections in growing animals. Materials are primarily antibiotics that help

increase feed efficiency and rate of gain as well as control disease.

Follow all administration recommendations


Paste Normally used for treating horses for

worms Placed on the back of the tongue. Impossible to treat for worms using other

methods.


Liquids Drugs administered orally or placed directly in the

animals stomach by drenching. Drenching – administering large amounts of liquid to an

animal Care must be taken not to get the drug into the animals

lung’s Injection of drugs

Injection – the process of administering drugs by needle and syringe.


Methods of Injection Intravenous – in a vein Intramuscular – in a muscle Subcutaneous – under the skin Intradermal – between the layers of skin Intraruminal – in the rumen Intraperitoneal – in the abdominal cavity

One determining factor as to where injections are made is how fast the drug needs to work

A drug injected into the blood is available faster than one injected under the skin.

It may be desirable for drugs to be released slowly over a long period of time. Ex. Growth hormone


Procedure for giving injection Restrain the animal Select the location for injection – check instructions Fill syringe, making sure that all air is removed Disinfect the area to be injected Clip hair if intradermally Insert needle in desired area without the syringe attached Attach syringe to needle and inject liquid

Infusion Infusion – the process of treating udder problems through

the teat canal A sterile cannula (blunt needle) is inserted into the opening

of the teat and the drug is forced in


How are animals identified?

It is important to be able to tell animals apart, especially in large enterprises.

By not identifying an animal, the owner will not know what animal to watch, treat, breed, and so on. This could be detrimental to the

operation. There are different methods of

identification used for various types of animals. It is important to use the appropriate

methods for each particular species.


Why is ID important?

Important management tool Performance measurements Identify treated animals Track ownership and movement Track disease outbreaks in food animal

industry

Ensure consumer confidence Able to document safety of food

products


A. Cattle can be branded to establish ownership. Branding is the burning or freezing of a

mark onto an animal to determine ownership or pedigree.

Some owners brand the horns of their animals.

There are four methods used: 1. Hot iron branding 2. Freeze branding 3. Branding fluids 4. Laser branding


Identification Methods

Ear notching Used commonly in

swine Permanent


B. Plastic or metal ear tags are also used to identify animals. Plastic ear tags are popular,

because they are inexpensive, can be installed anytime, and are numbered.

Plastic tags are easier to read than metal tags.

They are also brightly colored, have large numbers, and are easily read from a distance.



C. Marking the skin with ink on needle points is called tattooing. This is a permanent marking but can

be hard to read. Tattooing is commonly used with swine

and cattle, rabbits and other small animals.

D. Earmarks are permanent notches cut into ears of animals. This method can be done with a knife

or ear notching tool. Pigs and sheep are commonly ear

marked.



E. Neck chains are sometimes used, but these chains and tags can get lost. The animal, on rare occasions, could also

hang itself. F. Another way to identify cattle is to

have them swallow a transmitter that stays in their stomach. The transmitter gives off a signal to identify

the animal when activated by a receiving unit.

This method is costly, but the transmitters can be retrieved and reused after slaughter.


Other Methods of ID

Nose Printing DNA Leg Bands Electronic Devices

Review


What records should be kept to encourage good animal healthwith dairy animals?




animal, plant & soil science lesson c5-8 managing animal health ppt: apsr: c5-8 e-unit: 010089

Documents

healthy animals

monitor animals

records of dairy animals

various animals

new animals

infected animals

separate sick animals

dispose of dead animals