8 Broadcaster Press January 10, 2017 www.broadcasteronline.com Dairy Calf Respiratory Disease BROOKINGS, S.D. - Cold weather is not just hard on the people taking care of animals, it can be tough on the animals themselves, said Russ Daly, Professor, SDSU Extension Veterinarian, State Public Health Veterinarian. "It's not just our imagination that cold temperatures often bring with them an increase in sick calves; there are physiologic reasons why cold weather increases the risk of respiratory disease such as pneumonia in dairy calves," Daly said. He explained that cold weather enhances the growth of certain respiratory germs inside a calf's nose and upper respiratory tract. "The more bacteria present in the upper respiratory tract, the more likely they'll reach the lower lung and cause pneumonia," he said. Daly added that cold weather also thickens up mucus and impairs the work of the ciliary escalator - the fine hair-like cell structures that sweep bacteria and foreign material from the lower airways up to the throat to be coughed up. "All these factors increase the risk of pneumonia in calves," he said. Detection and Prevention Proper ventilation providing fresh air to calf barns is important to preventing respiratory diseases - a goal that can conflict with efforts to protect calves from cold temperatures. To ensure calves are equipped to deal with cold temperatures, along with fresh air, provide deep dry bedding and adequate nutrition. Early detection is key Because of the increased risk of respiratory disease following cold weather, caretakers need to focus even more of their energy on the calves' health. "Early detection and treatment is important to the calf's immediate health as well as to her long-term production," Daly said. He pointed to evidence which suggests dairy cows who were treated more than once for respiratory disease as calves produce 10 percent less milk in their first lactation, and 15 percent in their second lactation. "These effects on milk production have not been demonstrated in calves only treated once, underlining the importance of effective and timely treatment," he said. Heifers that suffered pneumonia as calves are older on average at first calving compared to heifers that did not get sick. Antibiotic Treatments When prevention efforts fail, Daly said early detection and effective 6 Easy Ways to Take Better Care of Your Health A new year is an excellent opportunity to assess your health and resolve to make positive lifestyle changes. “Many people work hard to establish healthy habits at the beginning of the year. But for those with busy schedules and tight budgets, maintaining these habits over time can be a challenge,” says Jill Turner-Mitchael, senior vice president of Sam’s Club, Consumables and Health and Wellness. To help people prioritize and maintain their health in 2017, TurnerMitchael and Sam’s Club pharmacists are offering tips that are practical and affordable. • Secure Regular Screenings: It is important to get regular health screenings to keep track of the state of your health. Routine tests are often the first to get postponed when people get busy, but they are crucial for ensuring any potential medical issues are identified and addressed as early as possible. Resist the urge to let cost or time constraints prevent you from getting regular check-ups. For example, free health screenings are often available at Sam’s Club, which offers a full suite of affordable health care offerings. These screenings are open to both members and the public at no cost, covering a wide range of tests to assess various health factors. Don’t forget regular vision and hearing tests, as well. • Ask Questions: Don’t be afraid to ask questions and seek out advice for improving your health. One easily accessible professional resource that is often overlooked is your local pharmacist. Before visiting the pharmacy, consider whether you have any health questions and jot them down. Pharmacists are eager to help people understand their medications and health, and you don’t need to go through the hassle of making an appointment. • Focus on Fresh Foods: Incorporating fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein and legumes into your meals can help you maintain a healthy weight, while also building your V immunity and muscles. Smoothies, leafy green salads, vegetable stews and grilled fish are all great choices. You can also boost flavor with low-calorie ingredients that offer nutritional benefits, such as garlic, onion, spices and herbs. Some retailers today make it easy for shoppers to identify nutritious items. For example, Sam’s Club highlights healthy, organic foods with green tags. • Select Supplements: Even the best diet can fall short of nutritional guidelines. Consider consulting with your healthcare professional about boosting your diet with a daily multivitamin or supplement tailored to your individual health needs. • Verify Your Vaccinations: Immunizations can help prevent illness and save lives. Make sure you are current on all necessary vaccinations. Talk to your pharmacist about what vaccines you might need, which varies by age. • Enjoy Winter Workouts: You don’t have to become a world class body builder or competitive triathlete to reap the health benefits of exercise. Exercise can help everyone boost immunity, improve cardiovascular fitness and speed up metabolism. Even just committing to a midday walk or opting to take the stairs can make a big difference. Some people find they are more likely to stick to a workout plan if they enlist friends or coworkers to join them. Many people also find it helpful to track their fitness goals and progress using wearable technology and smart scales, which can provide information on everything from your heart rate to your body mass index. For more tips and information about affordable health care services and free screenings, visit SamsClub.com. Start 2017 off right by committing to better health. Please Recycle T ermillion anager Athletic Booster Club HALL OF FAME Nominations Deadline to receive Nominations will be January 31, 2017 For nomination forms and information, go to gotanagers.com or contact Mr. Jason Huska at 605-677-7035 Ticket Sales will begin in February treatment of respiratory disease can improve the odds of a calf surviving respiratory disease as well as their productivity as a cow. "Work with your veterinarian to improve these aspects of your operation, and pay close attention to calves when cold winter temperatures set in," he said. Many drugs - available by prescription through veterinarians -have demonstrated effectiveness against respiratory pathogens. Antibiotics labeled for use against Mannheimia, Histophilus and Pasteurella are the most effective in treating calf respiratory disease. "As there is not a single drug that has proven effective in every situation, antibiotic choice should be guided by veterinary consultation and, if available, bacterial culture and antibiotic sensitivity results from previous calves," Daly said. Using nasal swabs to identify pathogens and guide treatment should be approached with caution, but may provide important information in some cases. Lung cultures from calves that died of pneumonia may be more useful, but Daly said their representativeness for future calf groups should be considered carefully. "Pneumonia and other infections caused by Mycoplasma bovis are particularly difficult to treat. Antibiotics labeled for Mycoplasma should be utilized and treatment length may need to be prolonged," he said. Identifying Mycoplasma through lab testing is a valuable piece of information that can help with treatment and prognosis. Supportive Care Supportive care through anti-inflammatory medications, injectable vitamin supplements and oral electrolytes can also prove valuable in helping an ill calf deal with pneumonia. During outbreaks veterinarians may recommend an intranasal vaccine to enhance the immune response. Providing extra bedding and calf coats to sick calves will help them maintain their body temperature. Milk should not be withheld from sick calves, as energy and protein are necessary for them to respond to the infection. "Breaking the required daily feeding into smaller amounts given more frequently may help calves with lung problems "catch their breath" more easily during feeding," Daly said. - See more at: http://igrow.org/news/ dairy-calf-respiratory-disease/#sthash. jmokHKPL.dpuf 5 Steps to Prep Your Home for Winter Weather This winter, stay ahead of frost and freezing temperatures by taking some easy steps to get your home ready for the cold months ahead. If you’re not sure where to start, there are some quick step-by-step directions to get you in the DIY spirit. How to seal off drafts: Windows and doors are the biggest culprits of drafts in your home, but there are products that make sealing them simple. While product packaging often provides instruction, online videos may be a better resource. For instance, Duck brand provides a step-by-step tutorial for how to seal window drafts with its Roll-On Window Kit and Heavy Duty Weatherstrip Seals, which provide tight barriers to keep warm air in and cold air out. Or, for drafty doors with thick gaps, the Double Draft Seal easily slides onto the bottom of doors to block unwanted chill. Visit duckbrand.com to learn more. How to prevent freezing pipes: Every winter there are billions of dollars in insured losses due to burst pipes and other winter-related damage, according to the Insurance Information Institute. To prevent frozen pipes, it’s imperative to drain water from outdoor faucets and garden hoses. Plus, have in-ground sprinkler systems winterized, as well. You can review a quick 4-minute video at thisoldhouse.com, where experts show you how you can do this easily and efficiently. How to clean your gutters: Frozen gutters are another prime source of snow and ice damage. Ice can accumulate on the edge of the roof and prevent melting snow from draining. That’s why it’s important to clean debris from gutters several times a year. Keep the ladder on a level surface with another person as a spotter. Wear gloves and safety goggles to protect yourself, and drop debris onto a tarp or bucket below. Flush the gutter with a hose to check for proper flow, and finally check down spouts for anything that might be lodged. How to insulate your water heater: Wrapping your water heater with an insulated blanket reduces heat loss and saves energy. It’s simple: just measure the circumference of your water heater and cut the blanket to size. Products such like Duck brand’s Water Heater Insulation Blanket come with tape for easy installation and it’s made of nonirritating recycled cotton, not fiberglass. How to protect outdoor items: High-wind gusts and cool temperatures can wreak havoc. Be sure to store or protect outdoor furniture and accessories. Smaller items, such as cushions, umbrellas and drained hoses, should be stored in sheds or basements. Protect larger patio furniture and grills with tarps or custom-fit covers. A roll of strong, all-weather tape, like T-Rex Tape, can fix any rips or holes you may find along the way. Unlike other tapes, it is designed to withstand harsh temperatures to hold stronger and longer, ensuring your items will be in great shape for spring grilling season. Visit trextape. com for more information. Thanks to a plethora of online resources, weatherizing doesn’t have to seem daunting. By watching a few short videos and following some easy instructions, you can have your home ready for whatever weather winter brings. Top Tips for Understanding and Paying Back Your Student Loans With an estimated $1.3 trillion in spend in the long run. student loans outstanding, it’s safe to • Confront reality. 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