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Disaster preparedness for livestock
Resources containing information to help prepare livestock for a storm or flood.
This article discusses highly pathogenic avian influenza in poultry. It discusses signs and how to pretect poultry and people from the disease.
(12/20/24) Louisiana has recorded the nation’s first severe human infection of H5N1, also known as highly pathogenic avian influenza or bird flu.
This article is a review of the New World Screwworm.
Controlling internal parasites in grazing cattle has a significant positive return on investment; in most cases greater than any other management practice.
Hoof health issues are common for small ruminants. In Louisiana's climate, proper hoof care is key to boosting herd health and productivity.
Bovine anaplasmosis is an infectious, noncontagious disease of cattle that is caused by the organism Anaplasma marginale.
Chickens that roam freely on the ground will be exposed to different parasites. The most common are the roundworm, gapeworm, and tapeworm.
Monitor your flock and the areas they occupy to determine if you have mites or lice.
It is important that owners observe the flock routinely to know what normal behavior is so you can identify any sick or injured birds.
Most poultry producers must be able to treat any health issues that happen in a poultry flock because there are few veterinarians who treat poultry.
Birds need to maintain a constant body temperature in order to get rid of excess heat through their build in body mechanisms they use to get rid of heat.
I would encourage everyone that participates in poultry shows at these events to follow practices that would reduce the risk of avian influenza.
Common Diseases in poultry flocks are Fowl Pox, Infectious Bronchitis, Marek’s Disease, Newcastle Disease, and Coccidiosis.
New tick species carries new disease that is a threat to cattle.
Anaplasmosis fact sheet
This fact sheet has frequently asked questions about heartworm disease in dogs.
This article discusses the clinical signs, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of foot rot in cattle
Pinkeye, also known as infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis (IBK), is a common disease of beef cattle that causes redness and ulcers in the eye.
Although cattle can survive for days without food, a supply of clean, fresh water is essential to keep animals alive following a disaster. Rules of thumb for calculating necessary trough space also included.
Trichomoniasis is a bovine venereal disease that can cause substantial reproductive and economic loss in cow-calf operations that use natural service. Many states, including Louisiana, now have regulations on movement of bulls to prevent the spread of trichomoniasis.
Planning and Protecting Financial Investments, Develop Local, Regional and State Partnerships, Maximize Herd Health, and more.
Discusses the impacts of clinical and subclinical heat stress in beef and dairy cattle.
This fact sheet list talking points about antibiotic use in beef cattle.
Prudent use of pharmaceutical agents in food-producing animals is essential for animal health and welfare, and food safety. This article describes current drug-use regulations so livestock producers can work with their veterinarian to make smart choices.
Performing breeding soundness evaluations on herd bulls is a sound investment for beef cow-calf operations. A bull breeding soundness evaluation (BSE) is a uniform method of assessing a bull’s likelihood of accomplishing pregnancy in an appropriate number of open, healthy, cycling cows or heifers in a defined breeding season.
Information on purchasing healthy bulls, breeding-soundness examinations, disease prevention and nutrition. (PDF format only)
Pseudopregnancy is a common pathological condition characterized by accumulation of fluid in the uterus.
Fact sheet about caseous lymphadentitis in goats and sheep.
The Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) is a new rule by FDA that went into effect January 1, 2017.
Because of their relatively small size compared to cattle and horses, mass evacuation of goats and sheep is possible if plans are made weeks in advance of a potential disaster.
This article provides the latest information about internal parasites in sheep and goats and updated treatment and control recommendations.
Cattle, goats, horses, pigs and sheep surviving hurricanes or other disasters are vulnerable to several diseases, including infectious diseases and toxicities. (PDF Format Only)
Well in advance of a potential disaster, producers should evaluate their herd health programs with their veterinarian. Horses that undergo evacuation either before or after a disaster will be stressed and are likely to be commingled with other horses and livestock. (PDF Format Only)
Cattle can sometimes have difficulty calving. Cattle producers should be familiar with the stages of labor in cattle and know when to intervene.
This article discusses common diseases in show animals and how to prevent them.
During the late summer and fall is the best time to get ready for potential winter hazards.
Copper toxicity can occur following ingestion of excess copper in feed or minerals over time. Stress can induce the acute form of this disease, which can be deadly.
This articlle describes a disease of sheep and goats called caseous lymphadenitis. CL is caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis and is manifested by abscesses of the lymph nodes and occasionallyof the internal organs.
Information regarding the updated equine deworming recommendations.
This fact sheet provides information about the disease Brucellosis in dogs.
This fact sheet discusses common heat-related illnesses in pets and how to prevent them.
Winter feeding costs are a major expense in cow-calf herds. So, selecting a winter feeding program that is cost-efficient is imperative. However, making sure nutrient requirements are met during this time is critical to future profitability. An investment now can pay dividends for years to come.
One of the most difficult feeding challenges faced by dairy farmers is the dropoff in feed intake and milk production during the summer. To minimize these losses, rations must be specially formulated for hot weather.
What is avian influenza (bird flu)? What are the hosts for avian influenza? How is avian influenza transmitted from bird to bird? What are the signs of avian influenza in birds? Find these answers and more in this one-page fact sheet. (PDF Format Only)
Johne’s (pronounced “Yo-nees”) Disease is a chronic infection caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP).
Have your chickens ever had white lesions that developed into wart-like nodules and then formed dark scabs on their combs and wattles? If so, your chickens had fowl pox, according to LSU AgCenter poultry professor Dr. Theresia Lavergne.
Pseudopregnancy is a condition of goats that is characterized by accumulation of fluid in the uterus. This fact sheet describes the common signs of this condition and what to do once it's diagnosed.
Azaleas are a common ornamental plant in Louisiana. But they can be deadly to livestock, especially goats. This fact sheet explains what can happen when goats consume azaleas.
Anthrax in livestock and horses is described. Topics discussed include: A brief history of the disease, persistance of spores in soil, clinical signs, what to do if anthrax suspected, diagnosis, treatment, prevention and control.
Biosecurity plans control the introduction and spread of disease by evaluating and addressing the primary routes of disease transmission. An effective biosecurity plan will control several diseases at one time. (PDF Format Only)
BVD is a viral disease of cattle that can cause clinical disease and subclinical production losses. This article discusses the common signs of this disease and how to manage it.
Farm animals can carry germs that make people sick, but some simple precautions can keep our kids healthy.
Images of major poisonous plants are presented to assist livestock owners with plant recognition. Toxic effects are also mentioned.
Conscientious owners should be aware that there can be potentially toxic substances in feeds.
Vitamin supplementation in horses is generally not needed since common feeds normally contain adequate amounts. Vitamin deficiencies occur primarily when horses are sick or stressed, or if feed is improperly processed and stored over long periods of time. In these cases, vitamin supplementation may be necessary.
Cattle in all beef herds are subjected to some of the common diseases. Vaccines are available that can induce some degree of protection against several of the major diseases of cattle.
The LSU AgCenter operates 25 weather stations at research stations and other cooperating locations throughout Louisiana. The Louisiana Agriclimatic Information System privides temperature and humidity data that researchers can correlate to livestock and crop production. Each station provides minute-by-minute measurements of air temperature, rainfall, wind speed, wind direction, relative humidity, solar radiation and soil temperature.
Photosensitization, also known as photodermatitis, occurs when the liver is unable to excrete a metabolite of chlorophyll from forages the animal has eaten. The metabolite accumulates in the skin and is activated by sunlight. The reaction yields free radicals that "burn" the skin.
Cattle, goats, horses, pigs and sheep surviving Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita are vulnerable to several diseases, including infectious diseases and toxicities, according to a veterinarian with the LSU AgCenter.
Although there’s not an imminent danger, some scientists say a widespread disease or bioterrorism attack could wipe out significant portions of the U.S. farm animal population. That's where the National Animal Germplasm Program comes in.
As natural as raw pet food diets may seem, these diets have not been shown to be healthier for pets. In addition, they can pose significant risks to humans.
Cattle, goats, horses, pigs and sheep surviving Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita are vulnerable to several diseases, including infectious diseases and toxicities, according to a veterinarian with the LSU AgCenter.
The soft palate and epiglottis are important structures during inhalation, and they form a tight seal when the horse is breathing to seal off the nasal cavity from the oral cavity. This article describes dorsal displacement of the soft palate in horses and how this issue may be corrected.
Horse diseases are normally divided into three general areas, depending on the site of their specificdamage. They are general body diseases, respiratory diseases and reproductive diseases.
Update and resources on the recent outbreak of Equine Herpes Myeloencephalopathy (EHV-1).
Pigeon fever is the common term for an infection caused by the bacterial organism Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis. C. pseudotuberculosis bacteria tend to localize and form abscesses in the pectoral region and ventral abdomen of the horse.
Gastric ulcer disease is common in foals and horses and the term Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS) has been used to describe this disease because of its many causes and complicated nature.
Owner information regarding the causes, prevention, and treatment of equine strangles.
Owner information on the causes, tranmission, prevention and treament of Equine Viral Arteritis (EVA).
Fact sheet about the safety of antibiotic use in food animals.
Predator control is an important part of raising sheep and goats. This fact sheet describes management alternatives to predator control.
Flies are the most important insect pests of horses. Among this large, diverse group of insects, the pests of horses include bloodsucking or biting flies, filth or irritation flies, mosquitoes and bot flies. The description, biology, economic/health significance and control are included. (PDF Format Only)
This article discusses the common parasites of horses and ways to control them.
Images of major poisonous plants are presented to assist livestock owners with plant recognition. Toxic effects are also mentioned.
Images of major poisonous plants are presented to assist livestock owners with plant recognition. Toxic effects are also mentioned.
Blister beetles are ¾- to 1¼-inch-long, narrow-bodied, broad-headed insects that may be found in alfalfa hay originating from certain parts of the United States. One beetle alone won't caust toxicity, but they can gather in large numbers in concentrated clusters of harvested hay.
This article discusses common diseases in show animals and how to prevent them.
Showy crotalaria is a significant toxic plant in Louisiana. It contains alkaloids that cause liver damage in horses and livestock. The seeds may remain viable in undisturbed soil for 60 years or longer.
Photosensitization, also known as photodermatitis, occurs when the liver is unable to excrete a metabolite of chlorophyll from forages the animal has eaten. The metabolite accumulates in the skin and is activated by sunlight. The reaction yields free radicals that "burn" the skin.
The chances of poultry and other domestic birds acquiring mosquito-transmitted encephalitis viruses are relatively low, according to an LSU AgCenter expert, who says you also can take precautions to further reduce that risk.
A brief review of the common health problems that can afflict cattle, sheep and pigs. Symptoms and treatments are described, but this is not meant to be a treatment guide. (PDF Format Only)
Stress can lead poultry to "pick" at one another, and LSU AgCenter poultry expert Dr. Theresia Lavergne says the problem seems to be occurring around the state.
Browse this list of links for additional information on poultry health.
Although there’s not an imminent danger, some scientists say a widespread disease or bioterrorism attack could wipe out significant portions of the U.S. farm animal population. That's where the National Animal Germplasm Program comes in.
The horse industry is alive and well in Louisiana. Purses for racing Thoroughbreds and quarter horses are high, and quality show horses are found in nearly every barn. Knowledge of horse owners and their ability to care for their animals is also increasing. Neurologic diseases and how to best prevent them continue to present challenges to our horses as well as their humans.
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Poultry
Sheep & Goats
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