Cattle can die suddenly, and this is one of the biggest problems with our livestock. When the producers go to the handling area, they find animals that are dead, even though they were fine the day before. If you've been through this situation or want to avoid it as much as possible, learn what the main causes are to prevent it.
But what is sudden death? It's when an animal or person dies out of the blue and there are no signs that anything is wrong. You know that famous person who "died out of nowhere," which means he or she died for no apparent reason and out of the blue? This is what a sudden death looks like.
The majority of the time, the causes are mysterious or unknown, but most frequently, diseases that silently operate in cattle's bodies are to blame.
There are five major causes of sudden death in cattle.
- Intoxication
- Botulism
- Tympanism
- enterotoxemia
- Rays
1: Addiction
The main cause of sudden death in cattle is intoxication. There are two very relevant factors to consider: poisonous plants and urea. Let's address them now so that you fully absorb the care:
Poisoning of livestock with poisonous plants
The threat of poisonous plants to livestock is real. Plants bloom everywhere, and some contain substances that are harmful to livestock. One of them is the fern, which is very common in our fauna.
Bovine poisoning by ferns occurs when cattle eat the plants of this species, which contain substances that cause various tumors in the bladder, udder, and intestine in addition to hemorrhaging.
The chances of intoxication are even higher when fern buds are eaten, as the level of toxins is very high at this stage. To avoid this problem, schedule frequent cleaning of pastures and eliminate the presence of poisonous plants where cattle roam.
Cattle poisoning by urea
It's a fear that has kept many producers up at night. Although urea-related livestock losses are not uncommon, they frequently result from failure to follow expert management advice.
The main causes of urea poisoning in cattle are:
Supau consumption: rainwater collected in troughs with urea;
When cattle consume more than the recommended daily amount. The daily dose is 49 g/day/head.
After handling, hungry cattle consume urea. In this case, the ideal diet is to offer only urea.
At the beginning of the presentation, the dose starts at 49 g/day without the necessary adaptation phase.
To avoid sudden livestock deaths from urea on your property, follow these guidelines:
Would you offer urea? Keep a covered gutter on the property. Make small holes in the bottom and add a fine mesh to prevent the urea from escaping and, at the same time, rainwater from collecting, forming a soup.
Do you want to avoid all these problems and still enjoy the benefits that urea provides? Adopt the use of Total Urea Premium, the only product that does not require adaptation, and even wet can be fed by animals in the trough because it does not cause intoxication. Want to know more? Call us on WhatsApp by clicking here.
Others need all the care. And one more caveat: the only urea that can be offered to cattle is cattle urea. The others are not indicated for bovine use.
2: botulism
The risk of bovine botulism is high in many situations. This is another problem that is also in the news due to the loss of several cattle heads.
The bacterium Clostridium botulinum is what causes fallen cow disease, which weakens the animal.Being so small and invisible to the naked eye, it causes great harm to livestock. Found in garbage, dead animal remains, and contaminated water—later known as water botulism—when it affects livestock, the chances of survival are low, as there is no treatment.
Knowing how to prevent botulism in livestock guarantees animal welfare and avoids financial losses. Therefore:
The main weapon is the bovine botulism vaccine. Therefore, follow the health calendar and eat the food at the times and amounts recommended by organizations like MAPA;
As soon as an animal exhibits unusual behavior, falls, or is unable to stand, call a veterinarian for an immediate evaluation.
On rural properties, do not leave mud, litter, or animal carcasses on the property so that animals have access to them.
Be careful about how you store the salt you serve as well as when you eat it. When contaminated with bacteria, they can also harm livestock.
3—Tympany
When cattle have bloat, one of the first things to look for is bloat, especially if they eat a lot of grain and are confined.
Animals fed legumes and/or foods high in saponin, pectins, or tannins are also susceptible to the disease.
Tympany occurs when excess gas accumulates in the animal's stomach. This presence causes bloating, causing abdominal distension. Physically, it may seem easy, but the extra gas directly affects circulation and breathing, which leads to asphyxiation (the cow can't breathe) and death.
Some serious symptoms include difficulty moving or inability to move at all, a larger abdomen, and difficulty breathing.
Want to know more about the illness? Click here to learn how to keep cattle from getting bloated. Virginiamycin is an additive that improves the health and performance of livestock. It works directly on digestion to stop the problem.
4: enterotoxemia in cattle
Enterotoxemia in cattle is a disease that gets worse quickly and kills a lot of animals. It is another problem that comes from food, just like tympanism.
Enterotoxemia in cattle is an infection that attacks the intestine. Because it is not a virus, it is not contagious or transmissible to other animals. There are two kinds: Clostridium perfringens enterotoxemia (types C and D).
It is associated with unbalanced diets, especially those with a high starch content.The carbohydrate goes straight to the intestine, where it causes intoxication. When this happens in a very sudden way, the animal dies quickly. The main tools for prevention are the vaccine and food control.
5 – Rays
Lightning often kills whole herds of animals, and this is often reported. Animals instinctively seek shelter in trees when it's raining hard, which is exactly where lightning is most likely to strike.
Is lightning common in your area? Install a lightning rod, and when it storms, herd the cattle into the shed. This space is interesting not only because of this situation but also because it can be used as a shelter from the cold and strong sun and as a maternity ward when it's time to reproduce.
Install insulation on the fences every 100 meters. This means that electrical charges aren't spread along the whole length, preventing more damage.
When it's raining and all the cattle are in one place, spread the herd. When a lot of animals die at once, it's shocking and sad.
