During your daily care routines, watch your animal for signs of scours, constipation and abnormal behavior symptoms. Most project animals being developed for show will seldom be subjected to disease other than those encountered in everyday farm and ranch operations. Make youself familiar with diseases that affect cattle in your area.

Some of the most common diseases that affect all beef animals are black leg, shipping fever, and malignant edema. Each are infections that can be controlled by vaccination with the common "three-in-one" vaccine. Vibriosis, which affects reproductive abilities of females, and enterotoxemia or over-eating disease also may be controlled with vaccines.

Remember, most vaccines do not produce lifelong immunity, and periodic boosters may be required to maintain immunity. Also, vaccines do not eliminate disease. Vaccines simply enhance the ability of the animal to withstand the challenge of exposure to a specific infectious disease, but do nothing to eliminate the organisms from the premises or environment.

It is important to follow instructions carefully in the animal health area of beef cattle production. Be alert to pharmaceutical cautioning. Follow instructions explicitly.

Black Leg: An acute general infection in cattle characterized by high fever and swelling of the muscles, especially in the legs, and sudden death. It usually occurs in the spring and the fall of the year. Treatment is very difficult because death can be so rapid. For this reason, it is a a common practice to vaccinate for it as a preventive measure, at 3 to 4 months of age, and repeated 30 days after weaning.

Malignant Edema: Another fatal infection marked by gangrenous swelling and other toxic symptoms similar in character to Black Leg. This disease usually is caused by an open wound. Vaccination is the preventative measusre and is normally performed when the animal is 3 to 4 months of age, and repeated 30 days after weaning.

Shipping Fever or Hemorrhagic Septicemia: Usually occurs when cattle are under extreme stress conditions, such as weaning or in the trsansportation of catttle from the ranch to the feedlot or during stock shows when cattle have been on the road for a long time. Vaccination before the stress period is a good preventative measure, but does not ensure that the animal will not contract shipping fever.

Vibriosis: Cows and heifers of any age may become infected by mating with infected or carrier bulls. Usual symtoms in a breeding herd are an extended breeding period and low fertility rate as low as 20% for the initital breeding period in a chronically infected herd. Vaccination prior to the breeding season is the best control. Vaccination of bulls is recommended to help eliminate the carrier state.

Bang's Disease or Brucellosis: Characterized by infectious abortion and is prevalent in all cattle in all countries. Vaccination has been successful and sets up a level of immunity that protects the majority of animals. Heifers should be vaccinated for brucellosis between the ages of 3 to 12 months and has to be done by a qualified veterinarian. Testing control programs vary from state to state, and in moving animals from one state to another requires a negative test for Bang's of non-vaccinates.

Leptospirosis: In recent years, Lepto has become one of the most widespead diseases of livestock with its many strains. The disease causes fever, weakness, anemia, and kidney troubles. Pregnant females abort their calves about 10-28 days following infection. Vaccination is important since the disease can be transmitted by dogs and deer. It is recommended that all animal entering a show be vaccinated two weeks prior to the show seasons.

Anaplasmosis: An infectious disease prevalent in warm climates and spread by biting insects. Regular spraying of animals and barns to reduce flies, ticks, mosquitoes and such insects that spread the disease will aid in its control. Immunization can be accomplished by two doses of vaccine, administered by a veterinarian about six weeks apart.

Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis, "Red Nose": A disease of the upper respiratory passages caused by a specific virus, that also may cause abortion or stillbirth. Symptoms can easily be confused with shipping fever, calf diphtheria and other respiratory diseases. The only preventative measure is by vaccination, which also is helpful in preventing eye infections and vaginitis.

Bovine Virus Diarrhea: A virus that affects the respiratory and alimentary tracts. The disease is widespread and has been reported in all sections of the U.S. Most severe forms produce severe weight losses which the animals suffer during the course of disease and the slowness to respond and gain weight. Prevention is by vaccination.

Calf Diphtheria: A bacterial disease of calves that involves the area in the back of the mouth and the larynx or voicebox area. Animals will go off feed, have an elevated temperature and severe breathing problems. Treatment is by administration of sulfonamide drugs, and it usually is successful if caught early enough. Vaccination is a preventative measure.

INSECTS AND PARASITES

Texas Longhorns and Longhorn crosses show high resistance to insects, but still should be given protection. The most troublesome insects and parasites are flies, lice, ticks (in some areas) and grubs or warbles.

Internal Parasites: Including intestinal parasites, lung worms, and liver flukes also may cause problems. Proper management will keep them from causing severe problems; however, spray your calves and their quarters for flies at least once weekly during warm weather. Lice can be controlled in late winter and early spring by spraying.

Grubs: The larvae stage of heel flies may be controlled by any of the several special insecticides and chemicals available for grub control. These include spraying or dusting the animal's back and sides with grub control powder. Many systemic products are available for the control of grubs and other parasites. Check for correct application times.

Internal parasites, including worms, etc., may be controlled through oral doses of special medications, or by inclusion of these medications in mineral blocks.

In all cases of treatments, follow instructions and discuss the need with your veterinarian. Again, be alert to some manufacturer's cautions that a particular pharmaceutical product may be injurious or harmful when used in Texas Longhorns. Follow instructions explicitly.