Internal medicine

Internal medicine covers a range of diseases affecting cattle, varying by region.

Common issues include bovine respiratory diseases, gastrointestinal problems, calf and cow diarrhea, and metabolic disorders.

These conditions significantly affect cattle welfare and productivity. As herd sizes increase, effective management becomes crucial, with veterinarians serving as essential on-farm consultants.

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3 step approach to internal medicine in Cattle

1 Herd management

Causes for diseases in cattle

The shift towards larger farms has drastically altered animal housing conditions, leading to new patterns of contagious diseases. Conditions that were once rare are now emerging, while others are declining. Increasing milk yields per cow heighten demands on breeding and management. Local climate and housing conditions significantly influence disease risk due to their impact on the immune system.

2 Early detection

Early symptoms of cattle illnesses

Advancements in technology have introduced effective herd monitoring tools, especially beneficial for large herds. These tools facilitate daily health monitoring and early disease detection, crucial for successful treatment. Regular veterinarian visits enhance herd health monitoring and early intervention.

3 Therapy

Treatment

Successful and precise treatment requires strong cooperation between a farmer and a veterinarian. In most cases, it is essential to start the treatment just after observing the first signs of an animal being unwell. Regular veterinarian visits enhance herd health monitoring and early intervention.

Practical implications

Many dairy farms utilise smart farming equipment and milking systems with data collection capabilities, providing valuable insights into each cow's health, including milk yield changes—a universal indicator of health risks.

Routine veterinarian visits are essential for timely treatment, disease prevention (e.g. isolating sick animals), and maintaining herd well-being.

Choosing appropriate treatments for individual animals requires proper diagnosis and understanding of common pathogens and their susceptibility within the herd. Recording all treatments is essential for establishing consistent disease management protocols, particularly in situations involving multiple stakeholders.

For complex diseases like Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD), caused by multiple pathogens, broad-spectrum antibiotics may be necessary. Responsible antibiotic use dictates treatment only when disease signs are observed, limiting administration to the affected group.

First-line treatment ideally uses Category D antibiotics (per EMA classification), with preference for individual (parenteral) over group (oral feed) administration to support responsible antibiotic practices.

Internal medicine

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Internal medicine

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