Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is one of the most common economic and health challenges to the beef cattle industry. Prophylactic use of antimicrobial drugs can alter the microbial communities in the respiratory tract. Considering that the bovine upper respiratory tract microbiome has been associated with generalized health, understanding the microenvironment that influences this microbiome may provide insights into the pathogenesis of BRD.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe objective was to determine temporal changes in hematological and immune parameters in response to naturally occurring bovine respiratory disease (BRD) in commercially managed stocker calves. Forty newly weaned beef steers purchased from auction markets were housed at a commercial stocker operation in Crossville, TN. Blood samples, rectal temperature, and thoracic ultrasonography (TUS; 1: normal to 3: severe) were collected on days 0, 7, 14, and 21.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHeat stress is detrimental to food-producing animals and animal productivity remains suboptimal despite the use of heat abatement strategies during summer. Global warming and the increase of frequency and intensity of heatwaves are likely to continue and, thus, exacerbate the problem of heat stress. Heat stress leads to the impairment of physiological and cellular functions of ectothermic and endothermic animals.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDairy cows that are restricted from lying down have a reduced ability to sleep. In other species, sleep loss is a key risk factor for disease, mediated by changes in metabolic and inflammatory responses. The cumulative effect of lying and sleep deprivation on cow health is unknown.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMastitis is the most prevalent and economically important disease caused by different etiological agents, which leads to increased somatic cell count (SCC) and low milk quality. Treating mastitis cases with antimicrobials is essential to reduce SCC and improve milk quality. Non-prudent use of antimicrobials in dairy farms increased the development of antimicrobial resistant bacteria.
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