Double Whammy

[TCRanch]

Not a good trip to the vet. Noticed one of my cows was walking funny - not limping but with her head lowered and her back slightly hunched. Red flag! Naturally she wasn't anywhere remotely close to where we could move the corral/trailer, especially with all the mud, so I just watched her & took videos. She had a good appetite and otherwise looked okay, nothing obvious, but 2 days ago she was completely away from the herd with her calf and we were finally able to catch them. My suspicion/fear was hardware or anaplasmosis.

Temp 103.4, lungs sound clear, vet didn't feel anything internal (except she's 3-4 months bred) to indicate lymphoma but her heart sounds muffled and he could see her jugular pulse, indicating some cardiac disease. Couldn't specifically pinpoint pericarditis/hardware. And while she's not jaundice, the blood test was positive; she's been exposed to anaplasmosis but does not have an active infection at the moment. Treated her with LA200 and I'm keeping her (and her calf) at the barn for now in case she needs a 2nd treatment.

All my cows, bulls & heifers have a magnet. I'm diligent about spraying for vectors, always have mineral with CTC during fly/tick season, ticks really aren't bad this year and I use disposable needles and syringes (the exception is working a single cow/calf and administering something thick like Resflor Gold and then I'll use a repeater). And it wasn't enough.

Once again, this is me: :bang:

 

[Bright Raven]

I know anaplasmosis is lurking out there. I wish there were more studies of how prevalent it is in the tick population. There is a guy at Kansas State who has been collecting ticks and was close to reporting how prevalent it is in the tick population out there. I posted a YouTube about his studies that Fire Sweep sent to me. Do you know if he finished his research? He was doing the study as part of the requirements for his PhD.

I hate to hear you had a case.

 

[TCRanch]

Not sure but I should ask our new vet at the practice because he graduated from K-State last year. Side note: SUCKS losing a vet you absolutely love and "breaking in" a new one! But I only wish our former vet the best as he starts his new adventure as a State Veterinarian. And our new vet grew up on a cattle ranch so he definitely knows cattle, plus he's from here.

We've only had one other documented case of anaplas and that was probably 8 or 9 year ago. Still caught it early enough to be treated (she'd still be a carrier) but sold her anyway.

 

[TCRanch]

I know anaplasmosis is lurking out there. I wish there were more studies of how prevalent it is in the tick population. There is a guy at Kansas State who has been collecting ticks and was close to reporting how prevalent it is in the tick population out there. I posted a YouTube about his studies that Fire Sweep sent to me. Do you know if he finished his research? He was doing the study as part of the requirements for his PhD.

I hate to hear you had a case.

Is this the one you're referring to? Good info. And a little scary.
https://www.bovinevetonline.com/article/anaplasmosis-review-part-1

 

[Bright Raven]

I know anaplasmosis is lurking out there. I wish there were more studies of how prevalent it is in the tick population. There is a guy at Kansas State who has been collecting ticks and was close to reporting how prevalent it is in the tick population out there. I posted a YouTube about his studies that Fire Sweep sent to me. Do you know if he finished his research? He was doing the study as part of the requirements for his PhD.

I hate to hear you had a case.

Is this the one you're referring to? Good info. And a little scary.
https://www.bovinevetonline.com/article/anaplasmosis-review-part-1

That is not it. I will dig it up. It is here somewhere.

 

[Bright Raven]

I know anaplasmosis is lurking out there. I wish there were more studies of how prevalent it is in the tick population. There is a guy at Kansas State who has been collecting ticks and was close to reporting how prevalent it is in the tick population out there. I posted a YouTube about his studies that Fire Sweep sent to me. Do you know if he finished his research? He was doing the study as part of the requirements for his PhD.

I hate to hear you had a case.

Is this the one you're referring to? Good info. And a little scary.
https://www.bovinevetonline.com/article/anaplasmosis-review-part-1

Here it is:

https://youtu.be/mvK9cFXxgmw

 

[TCRanch]

Interesting, thanks!

 

[TCRanch]

Bringing this up again because I'm now faced with a dilemma.

Initial plan was to sell aforementioned cow after weaning because I didn't want to deal with the very real possibility I'd be raising an orphan next spring. Except she's back to 100%. Or at least it appears that way and I'm with my cattle every day; when something's "off" I notice it.

Is it possible the "cardiac disease" was nothing more than an infection that cleared up with the antibiotics? And while she's been exposed to anaplasmosis is it possible she's only a carrier or has built a resistance? As mentioned earlier, this is a new vet and I don't want to question him - but I do. Not just because she's always been a fave and raises awesome calves but because I just don't have a gut feeling there's anything wrong with her anymore.

What would you do? Thoughts?

 

[Bright Raven]

Bringing this up again because I'm now faced with a dilemma.

Initial plan was to sell aforementioned cow after weaning because I didn't want to deal with the very real possibility I'd be raising an orphan next spring. Except she's back to 100%. Or at least it appears that way and I'm with my cattle every day; when something's "off" I notice it.

Is it possible the "cardiac disease" was nothing more than an infection that cleared up with the antibiotics? And while she's been exposed to anaplasmosis is it possible she's only a carrier or has built a resistance? As mentioned earlier, this is a new vet and I don't want to question him - but I do. Not just because she's always been a fave and raises awesome calves but because I just don't have a gut feeling there's anything wrong with her anymore.

What would you do? Thoughts?

Cows that recover will likely never relapse into the disease so there is low risk to the cow. She will, however, serve as a source of the bacteria to ticks which act as vectors. To a large extent that can be ameliorated by using parasiticides and permethrin fly control. If you don't reuse needles, she really doesn't pose much of a risk.

I think it comes down to your personal comfort with a cow that is a carrier. So IMO, do whatever you feel comfortable with.

PS. The cardiac issue was only a result of a secondary symptom of the anaplasmosis.

 

[TCRanch]

Bringing this up again because I'm now faced with a dilemma.

Initial plan was to sell aforementioned cow after weaning because I didn't want to deal with the very real possibility I'd be raising an orphan next spring. Except she's back to 100%. Or at least it appears that way and I'm with my cattle every day; when something's "off" I notice it.

Is it possible the "cardiac disease" was nothing more than an infection that cleared up with the antibiotics? And while she's been exposed to anaplasmosis is it possible she's only a carrier or has built a resistance? As mentioned earlier, this is a new vet and I don't want to question him - but I do. Not just because she's always been a fave and raises awesome calves but because I just don't have a gut feeling there's anything wrong with her anymore.

What would you do? Thoughts?

Cows that recover will likely never relapse into the disease so there is low risk to the cow. She will, however, serve as a source of the bacteria to ticks which act as vectors. To a large extent that can be ameliorated by using parasiticides and permethrin fly control. If you don't reuse needles, she really doesn't pose much of a risk.

I think it comes down to your personal comfort with a cow that is a carrier. So IMO, do whatever you feel comfortable with.

PS. The cardiac issue was only a result of a secondary symptom of the anaplasmosis.

That's what I'm looking for, thanks! I think you (personally) know I'm diligent about fly control and use disposable needles, the exception is if I'm treating one cow (or calf, bull) and use the repeater syringe - in which case it's thoroughly sterilized.

This cow is 9 years old and one of the easiest, sweetest cows ever and she's frickin' enormous. Naturally she's only given me a couple heifers. I'm leaning towards she deserves to stay on this ranch - regardless of the outcome.

 

[Bright Raven]

Bringing this up again because I'm now faced with a dilemma.

Initial plan was to sell aforementioned cow after weaning because I didn't want to deal with the very real possibility I'd be raising an orphan next spring. Except she's back to 100%. Or at least it appears that way and I'm with my cattle every day; when something's "off" I notice it.

Is it possible the "cardiac disease" was nothing more than an infection that cleared up with the antibiotics? And while she's been exposed to anaplasmosis is it possible she's only a carrier or has built a resistance? As mentioned earlier, this is a new vet and I don't want to question him - but I do. Not just because she's always been a fave and raises awesome calves but because I just don't have a gut feeling there's anything wrong with her anymore.

What would you do? Thoughts?

Cows that recover will likely never relapse into the disease so there is low risk to the cow. She will, however, serve as a source of the bacteria to ticks which act as vectors. To a large extent that can be ameliorated by using parasiticides and permethrin fly control. If you don't reuse needles, she really doesn't pose much of a risk.

I think it comes down to your personal comfort with a cow that is a carrier. So IMO, do whatever you feel comfortable with.

PS. The cardiac issue was only a result of a secondary symptom of the anaplasmosis.

That's what I'm looking for, thanks! I think you (personally) know I'm diligent about fly control and use disposable needles, the exception is if I'm treating one cow (or calf, bull) and use the repeater syringe - in which case it's thoroughly sterilized.

This cow is 9 years old and one of the easiest, sweetest cows ever and she's frickin' enormous. Naturally she's only given me a couple heifers. I'm leaning towards she deserves to stay on this ranch - regardless of the outcome.

Yes. I know your husbandry practices are stellar. Give her a chance. Considering your practices, the reward is greater than the risk.

 

[TCRanch]

So, out of the blue my bull breeder called me this morning just to see how the bulls were doing, which turned into an hour long conversation. Absolutely, keep the cow - and her calf. He's familiar with my herd and agreed the cardiac disease was most likely nothing more than a secondary infection.

He also said the anaplasmosis vaccine hasn't been as effective as producers had hoped. Probably because feedback is primarily coming from large producers that are comingling cattle. The upside is that producers are practicing better husbandry skills and are more likely to notice cattle in the early stage(s) while it's still treatable.

Stopped by the vet for weaning vaccines and he asked me how my girl was doing. Well, okay then, let's talk about it. Spot on, BR! :clap: Side note: he's calling in a RX/VFD for Aureomycin when we wean as yet another preventative measure. No way do I want to re-live last year's pneumonia nightmare!

 

[Bright Raven]

TCRanch

The tick population at my farm has decreased dramatically since I bought it. I bought the farm in 2003. I was still working in Montana. When I visited my farm, I would be covered in ticks from a walk through the bush. After I retired, I cleared the farm of most of the bush and trees. I still had ticks. I bought the first cows in 2009. I started using parasiticides and permethrin. After 10 years of using parasiticides and permethrin, the tick population has been decimated. I have not found a tick on me in a couple years. The last time I actually had ticks attached to me was when I was fencing in Missouri for Fire Sweep Simmentals. I think you remember this. I got the halo around one of the bites and my doctor decided to treat me for lyme disease.

The only explanations I can find for the extreme decrease in tick populations at this farm is:

1. The extensive clearing of bush. I also disturbed a lot of ground which may have exposed their eggs to the elements. Thus, disrupting their life cycle.

2. The use of parasiticides and permethrin. As the cows walk over the farm and pick up ticks, those ticks die and fail to complete their life cycle.

I have two corgis. I never see a tick on them. When I first bought them, they would often bring ticks into the house. That doesn't happen anymore.

My point is, if the tick population decreases, the primary vector for anaplasmosis is diminished and thus the probability of anaplasmosis. IMO, horseflies are an insignificant vector.

 

[TCRanch]

We haven't done extensive clearing of brush but I've also noticed a huge decrease in ticks; surprising because with all the rain this year I anticipated a surge. But yes, definitely use parasiticides and permethrin. And we have a ton of opossums - a natural tick predator.

 

[76 Bar]

He also said the anaplasmosis vaccine hasn't been as effective as producers had hoped.

FWIW IMO The killed vaccine has an exceptionally high level of efficacy when post procurement subsequent storage & inoculation protocol is followed to the letter.

 

[TCRanch]

He also said the anaplasmosis vaccine hasn't been as effective as producers had hoped.

FWIW IMO The killed vaccine has an exceptionally high level of efficacy when post procurement subsequent storage & inoculation protocol is followed to the letter.

Point taken. That may very well be part of the problem. I fully admit I don't follow all protocol to the letter. I have a crew that helps me round up (with horses) and work cattle twice a year but it simply isn't feasible to do it a few weeks later for subsequent boosters or work all the calves a few weeks prior to weaning then turn around and catch 'em all again.

 

[Jeanne - Simme Valley]

TC - if you don't booster the first shot properly - you are totally wasting your time then and subsequent yearly shots. Why bother? Guess for some reason it makes you feel better - sure doesn't protect the cattle.

 

[Bright Raven]

I don't know if a better vaccine has been developed in the last couple years but the vaccine (there was only one and as I remember it was not proven) on the market prevents the manifestation of the disease symptoms in the animal that has the bacteria. The animal will still act as a reservoir for the bacteria and will test seropositive for anaplasmosis. This is significant because most vaccines produce antibodies that destroy the pathogen. In this case, the pathogen remains alive in the cow. That is why I don't feel a strong inclination to vaccinate for Anaplasma sp.

Edited to add: this is from a May 9, 2018 Drovers publication.

Currently, there is only one vaccine available for the disease, manufactured by University Products LLC, Louisiana State University (LSU), Baton Rouge, La.

D. Gene Luther, DVM, one of the developers of the vaccine, says that while the vaccine is still considered experimental, the product has been sold to producers in approved states since 2000.

 

[76 Bar]

Pet peeve...The photo paired with the Drover's article is cringe worthy. The vaccine referenced is given SQ, not IM. Surely Drover's had a stock photo depicting the former.
To set the record straight:
Dated article but nonetheless remains informative. Note: the Anaplaz and Plazvax vaccines ceased being produced a number of years ago due to negative vaccination issues/consequences.
https://ucanr.edu/sites/UCCE_LR/files/151977.pdf
Enlightenment from the source regarding the currently so called experimental killed vaccine.
http://www.anaplasmosisvaccine.com/history.html
I've ranched for over 4 decades in endemic Anaplasmosis country. Lost the use of 2 nice Angus bulls naive to my area due to my then ignorance of the disease and the bulls resultant sterility (prolonged high fever) in 1978. Made me a vaccination believer for all naive bulls. My females were otherwise a historically closed herd and hence by conventional wisdom & experience were calf hood exposed. Such proved to be the case.
FWIW the vast majority if not all CA bull production sales ensure their offerings have been properly vaccinated and boostered.

 

[Bright Raven]

I cannot confirm that there is currently any vaccine available in the United States for anaplasmosis. In the USA, Anaplasma marginale is the pathogen responsible for anaplasmosis. The vaccines that were used in the past may have all been taken off the market. Here is an excerpt from the Merck Veterinarian Manual. A careful reading gives some clues to the problems experienced with past USA vaccines.

In the USA, where live vaccines cannot be used, vaccines comprising nonliving A marginale purified from infected bovine erythrocytes and adjuvant have been used in the past but may not currently be available. Immunity generated by using multidose killed vaccine protects cattle from severe disease on subsequent infection, but cattle can still be susceptible to challenge with heterologous strains of A marginale. Instances of isoerythrolysis in suckling calves have occurred due to prior vaccination of dams with preparations that contained bovine erythrocytic material. Long-lasting immunity against A marginale is conferred by preimmunization with live rickettsia, combined with the use of chemotherapy to control severe reactions. The use of attenuated strains of A marginale as a live vaccine has been reported, with instances of severe reactions also occurring. A marginale grown in tick cell cultures are being investigated as an alternative live vaccine source. Subunit vaccines to control bovine anaplasmosis are also under investigation. In some areas, sustained stringent control or elimination of the arthropod vectors may be a viable control strategy; however, in other areas immunization is recommended.

The other problem in obtaining immunity to Anaplasma marginale is briefly mentioned in the sentence below taken from Merck.

Immunity generated by using multidose killed vaccine protects cattle from severe disease on subsequent infection, but cattle can still be susceptible to challenge with heterologous strains of A marginale.

What that means is Anaplasma marginale is not homologous in structure or protein coats, in other words, it comes in different strains making it difficult to form antibodies that can track down and destroy all the variants.

A couple years ago, this vaccine was available:

......there is only one vaccine available for the disease, manufactured by University Products LLC, Louisiana State University (LSU), Baton Rouge, La.

I am not sure that is the case. Lucky_P may know.