Cattle CSI: Unveiling the Mystery - Expert Tips for Diagnosing Cause
of Death
September, 2023
Dr. Joao
Bittar, UF College of Veterinary Medicine;
Bridget
Stice, UF/IFAS Extension Polk County;
Lauren
Butler, UF/IFAS Extension Okeechobee County;
Christa Kirby, UF/IFAS Extension Manatee County;
Dr. Todd Thrift,
UF/IFAS Department of Animal Sciences;
Lindsey
Wiggins, UF/IFAS Extension Hendry County
This article is adapted from UF/IFAS EDIS Publication, “Tips on
Determining the Cause of Death in the Beef Cattle Operation."
Dealing with death losses on the ranch can be disheartening. Every beef
producer knows that this is just part of ranching life. But sometimes,
deaths can't be explained, which leaves ranchers with more questions. Good
observation, a strong relationship with a vet (known as the Veterinarian
Client-Patient Relationship or VCPR) and the local Farm Service Agency
(FSA); and preparation can help livestock owners eliminate possibilities and
potentially recover some losses.
Observing the herd, identifying normal and unusual behavior, and checking
pastures for harmful weeds, predators, and things that could hurt the herd,
are vital to start looking into dangers for a beef cattle owner.
Calving season can be a challenging time of year. Livestock owners need to
regularly monitor their herd to make sure calves are being born without
problems. Finding a miscarried fetus or a dead calf, with or without a
deceased cow, is worrying. A good working relationship with a local large
animal veterinarian can help determine death losses. Animal losses warrant a
call to the veterinarian.
A very useful and important service available to livestock owners and
veterinarians alike is the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer
Services Division of Animal Industry’s Bronson Animal Disease Diagnostic Lab
(BADDL) located in Kissimmee, Florida. The lab offers diagnostic
services to potentially identify the cause of death, among other valuable
services to Florida’s livestock industry.
There
are a variety of tests that can be used to try and determine the cause of
death; however, individually, these tests can be very expensive. The
best option when experiencing death losses is to request a necropsy
examination, performed by a trained pathologist. The BADDL offers
three different necropsy examination services. The Food and Fiber Animal
Necropsy Exam at $100/animal; the Forensics, Research, and Insurance Exam at
$250/animal; or the Necropsy in a Bottle (microscopic examination only) at
$75/animal. The Food and Fiber Animal Necropsy Exam is the most likely and
cost-saving option chosen for beef cattle operators. It includes both the
gross necropsy exam, the histopathological
exam,and
all in-house bacteriological, parasitological, molecular, virologic, and
serological testing. Additional testing to address concerns such as toxicity
or mineral deficiencies can be tested through other accredited labs with
client approval and consensus of financial responsibility. The BADDL
offers this service at a price well below the cost of the actual testing
procedures. A veterinarian will best be able to help livestock
producers decide which test is best for their situation.
The logistics of submitting an adult carcass to the lab can be a challenge
but is recommended for thorough examination by a pathologist. When
submitting a whole carcass is not possible, a field necropsy may be
performed by a submitting veterinarian. Fetuses and calf carcasses can
be more easily submitted in their entirety.
Examination results are typically returned within 20 business days,
depending on the need for additional testing. For further information
about the Bronson Animal Disease Diagnostic Clinic, submission forms, and
contact information, visit their website at
www.FDACS.gov/BADDL.
In rare instances, losses are caused by adverse weather conditions or
predation by certain predators. The United States Department of
Agriculture Farm Service Agency (FSA) administers the Livestock Indemnity
Program (LIP). The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (the 2018 Farm
Bill) authorized the LIP to provide benefits to eligible livestock producers
for livestock deaths
in excess of
normal mortality caused by eligible loss conditions, including eligible
disease and attacks by animals reintroduced into the wild by the federal
government or protected by federal law. For more information on
eligibility, contact your local FSA office.
https://www.fsa.usda.gov/index
While no livestock producer wants to face death losses on their operation,
personal observation and preparation, a working relationship with their
veterinarian (current VCPR), the FDACS Bronson Animal Disease Diagnostic
Laboratory, and the Farm Service Agency can all prove useful in mitigating
these losses.
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