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May 07, 2008 (The Creston News Advertiser - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Cattle producers in the area have to keep accurate records for livestock sold for human consumption.

Accurate records indicating the types and dates of vaccinations can increase the value a calf will bring when it heads to market.

"The biggest thing that we do is vaccinations," said Dr. Gregory Weis, co-owner of Southern Hills Veterinary Services. "Veterinary medicine has come to a place where it's more economical to prevent a disease than treat it."

We strive to vaccinate the majority of our clients' animals.

"The cows are at less risk to get sick, even though no vaccination is 100 percent," said Weis. "The chances of their staying healthy throughout their feeding period increases."

Vaccination program

Before cows conceive, they are started on a vaccination program, he said.

"This will reduce the chances of some of the reproductive diseases before they have a chance to take affect," said Weis. "Vaccinating the cow, so when that calf is born, that cow transfers antibodies to that calf in the first milk in the colostrum. That has been found to be maybe one of the most important parts that we can make sure happens to that calf in its lifetime."

Research has shown if a calf does not receive those antibodies in the first 12 to 18 hours of its life, if that calf survives, the lack of antibodies will effect how it grows and gains for the rest of its life.

"That first start is very important," said Weis. "The protocols that we set up are probably the next important step. When the baby calf goes into the pasture, we like it to at least have a blackleg vaccination. Blackleg is a disease we can see in these calves when they get about three months old, its a disease that can kill them, very quickly."

As technology improves so do vaccines.

"The carriers in these vaccines have improved to a point where they cause the body to react to the vaccination, so we get a better stimulation because of the additives," said Weis.

Delivery

Assisting with deliveries also keeps the animals healthy.

There can be a variety of reasons for veterinary services to be required during the birth of a calf.

"We can be called because of the size of the calf or some deformity, which would prevent the cow from delivering normally," said Weis. "There are times we are called especially for 'club' calves, which are show-type cattle."

These cattle tend to be heavily muscled and have a lot of bone. Often requiring delivery by caesarean section he said.

If the cow is a heifer -- first year to deliver -- it's possible if there is little scarring she will be able to deliver subsequent calves naturally. As her own body will grow over the next couple of year, as she matures.

Safety

The ability of producers to transport their animals to a veterinary clinic for treatment has greatly improved, said Weis.

"It's safer to do surgery in the clinic," said Weis. "I want to keep everyone safe and not put someone in a position where they may get hurt."

Southern Hills Veterinary Services has clinics in Creston, Corning and Villisca.

Dr. Weis and his partner Dr. Scott Shuey split their time between locations with other staff, Dr. Aimee Anderson, Dr. Krista Davies and Dr. Jon Holliday.

"There's a new trend with more female large-animal veterinarians coming out of school," said Weis. "We are very fortunate to have the doctors we have on our staff."

Valarie Allen can be reached at

782-2141, ext. 233 or

vallen@crestonnews.com

To see more of the Creston News Advertiser or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to
http://www.crestonnewsadvertiser.com. Copyright (c) 2008, The Creston News
Advertiser, Iowa Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints,
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Valarie Allen

Copyright (C) 2008 The Creston News Advertiser, Iowa

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