Basic Vet Care

Establish and maintain a relationship with a veterinarian

Schedule time to meet with your veterinarian to develop a herd health program specific to your herd. Budget at least 1-2 hours for a farm visit per year for this. Considering these common and basic points can help you and your veterinarian craft an effective plan:

1. What issues have you had previously in your herd?
2. What are your goals for the herd?
3. Where did your animals originate from?
4. What life stages of yak do you have?
5. What animal restraint facilities do you have?
6. What is your current herd health and nutritional plan?
7. Are there issues with other ruminants in your area? ie, feed/pasture related nutritional problems, clostridial issues, BVD, trichomoniasis, EHD, blue tongue, etc.

Establishing a valid-client-patient relationship (VCPR) is critical to ensure rapid response to animal health disorders.  As there are essentially no products directly labeled for use in yaks, a veterinary prescription will be needed for off-label use of products.  Veterinarians will not risk their license without establishing a VCPR allowing them to have background knowledge of your yak operation.  A VCPR will provide you with access to necessary products and diagnostic tools to help maintain a healthy herd.

Vaccine protocol and herd health basics:

Core vaccines for most herds *STATE REQUIREMENTS DIFFER, CHECK WITH YOUR VET FIRST. THIS ALSO GOES FOR SALES ACROSS STATE LINES, CHECK REQUIREMENTS*

• Respiratory vaccine-IBR, BVDV, BRSV, PI3 (discuss with vet if modified live or killed is better for your herd), initial dose may be given at 3 months but will need boosters at weaning due to colostral antibody interference, and then annual boosters
• Clostridial disease -booster every 6-12 months
• Leptospirosis – Ensure it includes Hardjo, booster every 6-12 mo
• Brucellosis “Bangs” -heifers between 4-12 mos of age, done once and should be performed by veterinarian as an official ID tag must applied to vaccinated animals
• Tetanus for castrations (Very important when banding) or lacerations
• Consider other vaccines if at risk: Scours, Blue tongue(not licensed in US), Pinkeye (moraxella bovis), anaplasmosis (in states authorized), histophilus somni, mannheimia haemolytica

Parasite management-consider doing fecal testing yearly. Parasite resistance is becoming more prevalent because of the overuse of dewormers. ONLY TREAT WHEN NEEDED.  Consult your veterinarian about conducting fecal egg floats to assess parasite burden.

• There are three routes of administration: Pour-on, injectable, and oral. Pour-on is not recommended to use for internal parasites on yaks because of their thick coat, the liquid is not absorbed into the skin effectively.
• Pour-on: use for external parasites – Lice, ticks, fleas, an fly treatment.
• Injectable: determine type needed based on fecal testing results, treatment changes based on lifestage of parasites and type.
• Oral: Stomach worms are the most common parasites found in yaks. Oral dewormer will be the most effective and can be given in a drench form, self-fed blocks or pelleted feed. Feed routes are harder to ensure proper dosage.
• Liver Flukes: less common but deadly parasite passed from snails in wet pastures and irrigation ditches. Treatments are limited – dewormers that include Clorulson or triclabendazole and may include product such as Valbazen drench, Ivomectin Plus/Noromectin Plus injectable (for adult flukes).

Mineral program – excerpt taken from Introduction to Mineral Nutrition of Yaks Written by Dr. Jeff Lehmkuhler, University of Kentucky

Below is a brief summary of the available research on mineral needs of yaks.

• Sodium (Na): Herbage on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau is consistently deficient in sodium, leading to widespread sodium deficiency in yaks. The recommended dietary sodium requirement for yaks is 8-12 g/kg of the diet by Asian research. However, the level suggested for beef cattle in the NASEM Nutrient Requirements of Beef Cattle Publication is 6-10 g/kg.
• Phosphorus (P): Phosphorus is essential for various bodily functions, and its availability in forage for yaks is significantly affected by seasonality. During the summer, herbage in the northwest region of China has sufficient phosphorus. However, during the winter, it becomes deficient, leading to seasonal phosphorus deficiency in yaks. Seasonal forage phosphorus levels, forage type, and soil levels can influence plant phosphorus concentrations.
• Copper (Cu): Copper is crucial for various physiological processes, and like phosphorus, its availability in yak forage fluctuates with the season. Herbage copper content is generally sufficient in summer but deficient in winter. Additionally, high levels of molybdenum (Mo) in the soil and forage of some regions can induce copper deficiency, leading to a condition known as “shakeback disease”. Copper supplementation is necessary to prevent the disorder and deficiency in general, especially when molybdenum levels in feed/water are elevated
• Calcium (Ca): Calcium is essential for bone health, milk synthesis and other physiological processes in yaks. While herbage calcium levels may be sufficient for maintenance in some areas, yaks can still experience calcium deficiency, particularly during the spring when cows are lactating, and forage levels are low. This might be related to lower levels of vitamin D status during winter, as vitamin D is essential for calcium absorption and utilization. Reduced day length, excessive periods of cloud cover and heavy winter haircoats may reduce vitamin D synthesis.
• Selenium (Se): Selenium is an essential trace mineral, and deficiency is common in yaks grazing on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, occurring in both summer and winter. Selenium status can vary from deficient to excessive in the United States so learning about the need for supplementation is important.
• Other Minerals: Other minerals, including potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn), exhibit seasonal variations in their serum concentrations in yaks, typically with higher levels in the summer than in the winter. However, specific dietary requirements for these minerals in yaks have not been extensively studied.

Bull health- Annual breeding soundness exam performed 30-60 days prior to breeding to ensure bulls are fertile, pass a normal physical exam and are free of injuries that may prohibit them from breeding. Trichomoniasis test if needed.

Pregnancy checking – As pregnancy status is considered a diagnosis, it is performed by a veterinarian.  Blood test, palpation and ultrasound are all ways to test. All tests can be conducted by your veterinarian. Yak owners can perform blood tests using at home test kits or sending in blood tubes to a lab. The easiest place to draw blood is by tail vein. It is recommended to wait at least 45 days from last exposure to a bull for accurate results.

Discuss diseases of interest in your area– preventative measures, symptoms to watch for, timeline of progression, common outcomes

Disease testing-sometimes required for shows or sales (especially across state lines). BVD (Bovine Viral Diarrhea), Bluetongue, EHD (Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease)

Set up some basic protocols for any common health issues you anticipate

• Fly control for EHD or bluetongue
  • 1. Medicated fly dusters/bumpers/rubs in the pasture
  • 2. Feed through fly control
  • 3. Fans at night if they are brought inside
  • 4. Attaching multiple medicated fly ear tags into the ears of yak

Medications to have on hand **NOTES: Antibiotics are no longer available over the counter, contact your vet to get drugs to have on hand or prescriptions for ordering online. Most items must stay in a controlled environment protected from freezing and from direct sunlight**

• Ask your vet to write on the bottle with a sharpie important info like, “not in pregnant cows” or “36 day withdrawal,” etc.
• With topical medications, part the hair and apply on the skin to ensure it is fully absorbed.
• Before administering a medication, ensure you can care for the animal throughout an appropriate withdrawal period. Check with your prescribing veterinarian or look up medications in FARAD (Food Animal Residue Avoidance Database) for timelines.

Antibiotics (note cattle are referred to since no product is labeled for yaks and why you will need a veterinarian to write an off-label Rx for the products)

• Draxxin- prescription long-acting antibiotic;(tulathromycin injection) Injectable Solution is an anti-infective approved for the treatment of bovine respiratory disease (BRD) caused by all four major bacterial pathogens, including Mycoplasma bovis and infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis (pinkeye) in non-lactating beef and dairy cattle (including calves) and veal calves. DRAXXIN is also labeled for the treatment of foot rot.
• Zuprevo- prescription long-acting antibiotic; Injectable Solution is effective for the control of respiratory disease in beef and non-lactating dairy cattle at “high risk” of developing BRD. Inject subcutaneously as a single dose in the neck at a dosage of 4 mg/kg (1 mL/100 lb) body weight (BW). Do not inject more than 10 mL per injection site.
• Baytril- Perscription antimicrobial Injectable Solution is indicated for the treatment of bovine respiratory disease (BRD) in beef and non-lactating dairy cattle. may be used as single or multiple day-dose therapy for treatment of BRD associated with Mannheimia haemolytica, Pasteurella multocida, Histophilus somni and Mycoplasma bovis in beef and non-lactating dairy cattle. Administer one SQ dose of 7.5-12.5 mg per kg body weight (3.4-5.7 ml per 100 lbs). Do not administer more than 20 ml per injection site in cattle
• Zactran- prescription injectable solution (gamithromycin) is a broad-spectrum antimicrobial that fights all the major BRD-causing bacteria. Subcutaneous injection in the neck at 2 mL/110 lbs (1.8 mL/100 lbs) body weight. If the total dose exceeds 10 mL, divide the dose so that no more than 10 mL is administered at each injection site. Long acting for 10 days.
• Resflor- RESFLOR GOLD^® is an injectable solution of the synthetic antibiotic florfenicol and the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) flunixin. hould be administered once by subcutaneous injection at a dose rate of 40 mg florfenicol/kg body weight and 2.2 mg flunixin/kg body weight (6 mL/100 lb). Do not administer more than 10 mL at each site. The injection should be given only in the neck.
• Nuflor- NUFLOR (florfenicol) Injectable Solution controls all three major bacterial causes of bovine respiratory disease (BRD) and even treats foot rot. Unique, fast-acting, long-lasting antibiotic for treatment of bovine respiratory disease, foot rot and control of respiratory disease in cattle at high risk of developing bovine respiratory disease. should be administered by intramuscular injection to cattle at a dose rate of 20 mg/kg body weight (3 mL/100 lbs). A second dose should be administered 48 hours later. Alternatively, NUFLOR Injectable Solution can be administered by a single subcutaneous (SC) injection to cattle at a dose rate of 40 mg/kg body weight (6 mL/100 lbs). Do not administer more than 10 mL at each site. The injection should be given only in the neck.
•  Penicillin G- antibiotic injectable, given daily *Refrigerate* DO NOT GIVE IV
• Oxytetracycline- (brand names: biomycin, LA 200, vetrimycin) long-acting antibiotic. Repeat dose in 72 hours. Hexasol is oxytetracycline and banamine in one formulation.
• Excede- prescription long-acting antibiotic. Given SQ at the base of the ear, repeat dose in 4 days.
• Clostridial C&D antitoxin-oral, SQ or IV treatment for clostridial enteritis in calves. This saves many lives, so it is handy to have on hand. *Refrigerate
• Corid-over the counter anti-coccidia treatment. Added to sole source drinking water. Helpful with young animals, or when mixing animals.
• Sulfa boluses (sulfadimethoxine, sulfamethazine) broad spectrum antibiotic for scours, calf diptheria, footrot and pneumonia.

Anti-inflammatory/pain reliver

• Banamine-prescription non-steroidal anti-inflammatory & fever reducer given IV or topically (transdermal)-this is nice if you can’t comfortably give meds IV
• Dexamethasone- steroid often used for potent anti-inflammatory properties. Do not give concurrently with Banamine ** Causes abortion in pregnant cows **

Dewormer

• Ivermectin-anti-parasite, injectable (Ivomectin Plus/Noromectin Plus) or topical (pour-on)
• Valbazen drench
• Safeguard pellets

Supportive care/gut health

• Vitamin B complex- used commonly as an appetite stimulant and supportive care in sick animals.
• Powdered bovine origin igG colostrum- my favorite is Colostrix by Agrilabs. Store in the freezer during off season
• Kaopectate-over the counter anti-ulcer oral liquid, nice to have on hand for EHD cases.
• Oral electrolytes
• Probiotics Bio
• Sponge-clay type paste which absorbs bacterial toxins in the GI tract, helpful in scours, diarrhea

Reproductive

• Lutalyse-reproductive hormone used to synchronize or cycle cows/heifers or terminate early pregnancies. ***Causes abortion in pregnant cows***
• Oxytocin- Oxytocin Injection may be recommended for obstetrical use in cows, horses, ewes and sows, and to induce milk let-down in cows and sows. Because of the specific action of Oxytocin upon the uterine musculature, it is recommended as an aid to precipitate labor, accelerate normal parturition, for evacuation of postpartum uterine debris, or for postoperative contraction of the uterus. Oxytocin will contract the smooth muscle cells of the mammary gland to induce milk let-down if the udder is in a proper physiological state. Administer by SQ, IM or IV route. The recommended dosage of Oxytocin for obstetrical use is 5 ml in cows and horses; 1.5-2.5 ml in ewes and sows. The recommended dosage for milk let-down is 0.5-1 ml in cows; 0.25-1 ml in sows.

Basic procedures to learn if you are far from help- giving shots (subcutaneous, intramuscular, Intravenous), tubing a calf, banding bull calves, pulling a calf, giving fluids (IV and Subq)

Samples of Common Disease Treatment Protocols

NORMAL TEMPERATURE 101-102.9

When should you treat an animal? Follow this acronym: D.A.R.T – Depression, Appetite, Respiration, Temperature. Depression- is the animal lethargic? Appetite- is the animal eating normal? Respiration- is the animals respiration rate elevated (breathing normal, making normal sounds, normal discharge from the nose or mouth)? Temperature- Is the animal’s temperature normal? If your animal has 103F fever, depressed, off feed and coughing: then treat.

*These are basic guidelines shared by Dr. Mercedes Maybach, DVM at a previous yak program.  These guidelines are meant to be used under the guidance of a veterinarian who has a relationship with your herd. Any health issues need to be reported promptly to your veterinarian.

EHD (and several other serious diseases) in yak

• fever
• lethargy
• not eating
• difficulty breathing
• bloody nasal discharge
• ulceration of the gums and swelling of the pink tissue around the eyes.
  • ++Please contact your vet or the state vet promptly if you see similar signs in a yak! ++

• Respiratory Disease:
  • Mild: Definition-Mild to moderate nasal and ocular discharge, occasional spontaneous coughing, Temp normal 101-102.9F
  • Treatment● Take temperature and record ● Banamine- 1ml/100lb IV once ● LA 200-5ml/100lb SQ, IM, or IV once OR IN CALVES Penicillin G 5ml/100lb SQ
  • Severe: Definition- Lethargy, drooping ears, copious bilateral mucopurulent nasal discharge, severe ocular discharge, repeated spontaneous cough, Temp>103F or <100F
  • Treatment ● Take temperature and record ● Resflor Gold 6ml/100lb SQ once OR Excede1.5cc/100lb SQ in base of ear once + Banamine ml/100lb IV once
  • Chronic: Definition-Treated previously for respiratory disease without resolution Treatment ● Take temperature and record ● Banamine-1ml/100lb IV once ● Draxxin-1ml/100lb
• SQ Scours:
  • Mild: Definition-Soft or watery stool with no other clinical signs (normal attitude, appetite, and rectal temperature)
  • Treatment ● Take temperature and record ● Oral electrolytes ● Probiotics ● Vitamin B-3-5 ml SQ once ● No antibiotics should be given
  • Severe: Definition-Soft or watery stool with decreased appetite, dull attitude, rectal temperature <100F or >103F
  • Treatment ● Take temperature and record ● Oral electrolytes ● Probiotics ● Excede1.5cc/100lb SQ in base of ear once ● Vitamin B-3-5 ml SQ once ● IV fluids ● Sodium bicarbonate – 4.2 grams IV ● Monitor-treatment is considered successful if calf is eating aggressively and has a bright attitude even if stool is still loose. Intestinal damage may take 5-7days to repair
• Footrot:
  • Mild: Definition- Lameness with swelling between the digits. Ulceration and foul odor may also be present
  • Treatment ● Hexasol-5ml/100lb once ● Clean any lesions with warm water and mild disinfectant (betadine or chlorhexadine) ● House is a dry area until healed
  • Chronic: Definition-Treated previously for footrot without resolution
  • Treatment ● Draxxin 1ml/100lb SQ + Banamine 1ml/100lb IV or Resflor Gold 6ml/100lb SQ once ● Clean any lesions with warm water and mild disinfectant (betadine or chlorhexadine) ● House is a dry area until healed
• Pink Eye:
  • Definition- Redness, tearing and squinting of the eye. A centrally located corneal ulcer may be present
  • Treatment: ● LA200-4ml/100lb SQ once ● Procaine Penicillin G- 2ml subconjunctival injection (inject into swollen membranes of the eyelid) ● Apply glue-on eye patch over affected eye
• Hardware Disease:
  • Definition- Traumatic reticuloperitonitis is localized inflammation in the wall of the reticulum, usually due to perforation by a sharp object (eg, nail or wire) ingested by the animal. The most common clinical findings include decreased feed intake, decreased rumen motility, mild fever, poorly digested feces, and signs of pain.
  • Treatment: ● Oral administration of a rumen magnet and antimicrobial therapy over several days ● Rumenotomy if medical (conservative) treatment fails
• Woody Tongue:
  • Definition- The primary lesion associated with A lignieresii infection in cattle is a very hard, diffusely swollen tongue. This leads to excessive salivation, the inability to prehend food normally, and sometimes a visibly enlarged tongue that protrudes from the mouth. On palpation, the tongue will feel very hard and painful. This form of actinobacillosis is found worldwide but is sporadic and thus difficult to prevent. Herd outbreaks are also possible and are generally associated with the consumption of coarse, abrasive feeds that predispose to formation of lesions in the mouth.
  • Treatment: ● Sodium iodide is the treatment of choice in ruminant actinobacillosis. Intravenous sodium iodide (70 mg/kg of a 10% to 20% solution) is given once and then repeated 1–2 times at 7- to 10-day intervals. ● Clinical improvement is often seen within 48 hours of therapy, and treatment is usually successful when only the tongue is involved. Systemic antibacterial agents, such as ceftiofur, penicillin, ampicillin, florfenicol, and tetracyclines may be effective and are primarily recommended in severe cases of actinobacillosis or in cases refractory to sodium iodide therapy.
• Lumpy Jaw:
  • Definition- Lumpy jaw, caused by Actinomyces bovis, is a localized, chronic, progressive, granulomatous abscess in ruminants that most frequently involves the mandible, the maxillae, or other bony tissues in the head. Any bony location can be affected; however, the mandible and alveoli around the roots of the cheek teeth are most frequently involved.
  • Treatment: ● Sodium iodide administered IV in the treatment of ruminants ● Antimicrobials, such as penicillin, florfenicol, and oxytetracycline ● Oral iodine salts

• Dystocia: Review the stages of labor prior to the start of calving!! Criteria for intervention in calving
  • If second stage labor (fetal parts are in the vaginal vault, and abdominal push occurs) lasts longer than 1 hour with no progress ● Excessive hemorrhage
  • Abnormal odor or appearance of the calf or fetal membrane
  • Dip navel of any calf that required assistance, tube with colostrum if not suckling immediately

Medicine box supplies:

• • Thermometers
  • Stethoscope
  • Clean buckets
  • Tube
  • Drench Pump
  • Halter
  • Lubricant
  • Gloves
  • Rectal sleeves
  • Calf tube set up
  • Syringes 60cc, 20cc, 12cc, 6cc
  • Needles 14Gx2”, 16Gx1.5”, 16Gx.75”, 18Gx1.5”, 18Gx1”
  • Chlorhexidine scrub and solution
  • Betadine scrub and solution
  • OB chains
  • OB handles
  • Heat lamp and bulb
  • Navel dip
  • Towels
  • Honey or Corn Syrup