Three Day Sickness

Bovine Ephemeral Fever (Three Day Sickness) is a viral disease of cattle spread by mosquitoes and biting midges which commonly occurs in Northern Australia and extends down the eastern coast into northern NSW. The distribution of these insects can vary with climatic conditions and outbreaks in inland NSW have occurred.

Vet Andrew Denman explains this disease and considerations for our cattle producers.

"This disease is normally seen between January and April. After discussion with the Local Land Services vets we believe that conditions in the Central Tablelands are ideal for possible outbreaks to occur in late Summer/early Autumn in 2017.

Infection is normally seen in bulls and heavier cattle. The classical signs are a high fever with salivation, lameness and reluctance to move lasting approximately 3 days (hence the name). Complications of the disease include infertility in bulls lasting up to 6 months and abortion in cows. Deaths are uncommon but can occur.

Infected animals can be treated with anti-inflammatories and calcium injections. A vaccine is available to prevent BEF however two doses two weeks to six months apart are required and the animal is not fully vaccinated until two weeks after the second injection.

If you have any questions regarding BEF, or implementing a vaccination program please feel free to contact OVH to discuss them with any of the veterinarians 63618388."

A bull’s scrotal circumference is the best estimate of testicular volume and the amount of sperm producing tissue. It is therefore highly correlated with a bull's daily semen output. One lesser-known fact about scrotal circumference is that it influences female fertility.

Heifers from a bull with a higher scrotal circumference:

• Reach puberty at an earlier age
• Have a faster return to oestrus
• Have shorter days to calving

Therefore, when trying to breed a highly fertile herd, select bulls with high scrotal circumferences. This is just one reason you should consider using our BULLCHECK™ service this year!

It is important to understand the normal calving process to know when to intervene - and when it's time to call us. There are 3 stages of labour, as follows:

Stage 1 – Where the soft tissues of the birth canal dilate in preparation for calving.
Stage 2 – The cow will lie down with active contractions until the calf is delivered. Average 70 minutes in a normal calving with progress seen every 15 – 20 minutes.
Stage 3 – This is the expulsion of the placenta and should be complete within 24 hours of calving.

Signs of trouble calving that indicate when to intervene:

• Slow progress of expelling the calf in stage 2 i.e. no further progress after 20 minutes
• If 2 hours of labour has passed without complete delivery
• Presence of the water bag or feet without any further progress of calving
• Where it can be seen that the calf is not in the correct position. Examples of this include if only one leg can be seen outside the vulva.
• If you can see yellow fluid coming out (meconium)

Tips for assisting a cow that is having trouble calving:

• Always clean the vulva and perineum before feeling inside
• Use plenty of lube
• Do not try to pull out the calf unless you are sure it is in the correct position!
• When using mechanical calf pullers, force should never be excessive – the calf will come with steady traction providing it is not too big and in the correct position

When is it time to call the vet?

• If you have tried for 30 minutes and the calf is not out
• If you can feel that the calf is not in the correct position and you are unable to correct it
• If the calf is not progressing out despite using steady pulling/traction with the calf in correct position – this likely indicates it's too big to come out without veterinary intervention