Does Eimeria alabamensis cause disease in calves?  Case study in Minnesota says so, but more research needs to be none.  For now, nutritionists have an excuse to sell sulfa and whatever else for treating calves.

More later.

FDA Clarifies use of the Term, “Non-lactating Dairy Cattle”

February 21, 2012

The FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) has become aware that the term, “non-lactating dairy cattle,” may be confusing and that users could mistakenly interpret it to mean that drugs approved for use in non-lactating dairy cattle are safe when used in dry dairy cows, i.e., in cows between two lactations. The term “non-lactating dairy cattle” includes replacement dairy heifers, replacement dairy bulls, and dairy calves, according to current animal industry standards and a long standing FDA practice. These classes of dairy cattle have not yet, or would never produce, milk for human consumption. The term non-lactating dairy cattle does not include dry dairy cows. Dry dairy cows have previously produced milk for human consumption and will again in the future after completion of the “dry period” between lactations. These standards are reflected in CVM's Guidance for Industry (GFI) #191 (Appendix III, Species and Classes of Major Food Animals).

This is an important human food safety issue because of the potential for residues of drugs labeled for use in non-lactating dairy cattle to be present in milk of the treated cows, as well as in the tissue of the calves born to the treated cows. In order for these drugs to be approved for use in dry dairy cows, residue depletion studies would be necessary to determine whether there are residues in calves born to the treated dry dairy cows and in the milk produced by the treated cows in their subsequent lactation.

FDA is working with sponsors of products approved for use in non-lactating dairy cattle to revise labeling to clarify that dry dairy cows are not non-lactating dairy cattle and therefore should not be treated with drugs labeled for use in non-lactating dairy cattle.

For technical questions related to label revisions, please contact Dorothy McAdams,dorothy.mcadams@fda.hhs.gov. 

Just posted on WVC Newsletters cost breakdown of TAI with certain programs using various hormone protocols.  Rebate incentives were not included in any of the expenses.  Not a lot of analysis has been done on "Services Per Conception" and the costs associated with each 1/10 failure of service.  This has to be kept in mind when SPC gets over 2.0.  Larger herds will see rapidly increasing costs when efficiencies drop on SPC.

Baxter Black: Be sure to be nice to your rural veterinarian

The number of rural food-animal veterinarians is diminishing rapidly nationwide. So if you still have one, it would be beneficial to know how to get the most from the one you have.

Recently I read an article by a rural DVM titled "Before you Call the Vet." In the interest of expanding on his suggestions, I will try to clear up and remove any confusion you might have.

Suggestion No. 1 - "If you have no intention of paying for your vet's services, do not call."

On the surface, this seems self-explanatory. But to be more specific, it definitely includes the spotted owl that flew into your picture window, the neighbor's dog you hit with the truck trying to drive him off your sheep and the national park buffalo that was wounded by a deer hunter in your backyard.

Suggestion No. 2 - "Do not call your veterinarian if what you want is illegal."

Say you have been quarantined by the State or Federal Livestock Department for brucellosis, tuberculosis, BSE, scabies, having poor facilities, or misplacing your last veterinary bill, you may be thinking of asking your vet to fudge the test results. A simple little thing. No one would know. You'd tip him 50 or 60 bucks, maybe promise to give him the hide off your next slipped calf. And, although the offer of the hide sounds tempting, don't bother. When veterinarians take their state boards, they have to promise to be honest.

Suggestion No. 3 - "Always capture and identify the animal in question before calling the doctor."

Capture means in something smaller than 40 acres. "She's the one over by that scrub oak, Doc. The one just left of the red cow, or is that the mule? Anyway, she's the solid black one. No, wait a minute. Phil, which cow did you say had the lump on her jaw?'

Suggestion No. 4 - "Avoid blanket treatments. Not all downer cows have milk fever. Not all lame cows have footrot."

No amount of calcium/dextrose solution IV will cause a cow that has been hit by a feed truck to stand and walk away! And no formaldehyde foot bath or tetracycline injection will cure the steer that limps till you pull the nail out of his hoof.

The doctor's article included many more useful tips on how to better use your rural veterinarian, but it all boils down to this: Take care of your local cow vet. Treat him like visiting royalty. Pay him like you do your bookie. Remember his (or her) birthday. Share your pheasant, quail, sweet corn, homemade cookies or 4-H pig sausage. And it's always nice to offer to co-sign his note for his house, his car or his bass boat. Because remember, he can always desert you for a comfortable cat and dog practice in someplace like Orlando or Cabo San Lucas!

Just reading the AABP Newsletter and it is apparent that the association is bending to pressure from consultants or big retailers to allow for a broader definition of the VCPR.  It is interesting that they are watering down the language at a time when public awareness over residue problems in the livestock industry is at its peak.  It is also interesting the industry is changing the language so that it is less restrictive when the FDA is stepping up enforcement of its residue policies.

I can only believe that these changes are due to producer and consultant demands to allow easier access to scripts as the veterinarians on farm role is diminishing.  There should at least be a requirement for on farm inspection from these veterinarians at least on a monthly or quarterly basis.