Farm & Ranch
Lead Toxicity in Cattle
By Barry Whitworth, DVM
Lead is one of the most common causes of poisoning in cattle. Most clinical signs of lead poisoning are usually associated with the nervous system and the gastrointestinal tract.
The most common sources of lead are improper disposal of car and farm machinery batteries and used motor oil. Other sources include old structures with lead paint, linoleum, lead pipes, and grease from machinery. Since calves are more curious and prone to nibble or lick objects, poisoning is seen more frequently in calves than older cattle.
Most animals have a background level of lead. Toxicity occurs when the background level plus the amount ingested reaches a toxic level. Doses of 50 to 400 mg/kg may kill a calf. Higher doses (600 to 800 mg/kg) are required to kill adult cattle. Cattle that consume 7 mg/kg a day will eventually die from lead toxicity.
Clinical signs of lead toxicity appear acutely. Many times, producers just find dead animals. Most clinical signs observed are associated with the neurological system. One common sign is blindness. Producers may find a calf walking aimlessly or walking into objects.
Other signs are circling, head pressing, ataxia, muscle tremors, and convulsions. Occasionally, gastrointestinal system signs such as colic, anorexia, diarrhea, grinding of teeth, and frothing of the mouth precede the nervous signs.
Clinical signs of lead poisoning are similar to other nervous and gastrointestinal diseases. Some diseases that can be confused with lead poisoning are polioencephalomalacia, nervous coccidiosis, tetanus, rabies, and listeriosis.
To read more, pick up a copy of the November issue of NTFR magazine. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
By Heather Welper
Husband and wife duo, Heather and Calvin Welper, are the Co-Owners and Operators or Two C Livestock, located in Valley View, Texas.
The pair’s operation has a show cattle focus where they raise and sell purebred heifers of all breeds and club calf Hereford steers.
When it comes to show cattle, the Welpers know a thing or two including how to prepare for the cold winter months and the Texas major show season run.
To read more, pick up a copy of the November edition of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available digitally and in print. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
By Hannah Claxton, Editor
As the sun rises each day, so do the dozens of mouths that Meghan McGovern is responsible for getting fed. Rather than the sounds of a rooster crowing, McGovern hears the bellows and bleats of a variety of exotic deer, the chortle of kangaroos, the grunts of water buffaloes, and the chirps of a lemur.
Nestled against the banks of the Red River, the Double M Ranch and Rescue, with its high game fences and deer sprinkling the landscape,s its in stark contrast to the surrounding ranches.
“Having deer is kind of like eating potato chips- you can never actually have just one,” said McGovern with a laugh.
McGovern has several herds to take care of- fallow deer, axis deer, water buffalo, goats, and bison. In smaller numbers, there’s also a few kangaroos, a lemur, a potbelly pig, a pair of zebras, a watusi, and a few horses.
To read more, pick up a copy of the November edition of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available digitally and in print. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
By Barry Whitworth, DVM, MPH
With the prolonged drought, most pastures in Oklahoma end up in poor condition. With the lack of available forage, animals may go in search of alternative foods.
If oak trees are in the pastures, acorns may be a favorite meal for some livestock in the fall. This may result in oak poisoning.
Oak leaves, twigs, buds, and acorns may be toxic to some animals when consumed.
To read more, pick up a copy of the November edition of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available digitally and in print. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
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