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Veterinarians and why you don't use them
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<blockquote data-quote="SRBeef" data-source="post: 986488" data-attributes="member: 7509"><p>MM I am on the other side of your question. I wouldn't think of NOT having a vet out. I have always stressed preventative medicine with people (my family and business employees) AND, for my past 7 years, with cattle. With people it is definitely cheaper in the long run to keep people healthy rather than treating them when they get sick. My MD daughter does the same in her family practice. I believe the same thing is true with cattle. </p><p></p><p>With cattle there is the additional factor that as a beginner I really don't know much about them. I've been in row crops for many years - but not cattle. I am a smaller but growing operation. Aren't most cow-calf operations under 50 or 100 cows?</p><p></p><p>My vet has a very reasonable travel charge as in my area distances are not the problem they are in some other areas.</p><p></p><p>He is older, has cattle of his own and is a good teacher as well as a good doctor. He has taught me a lot about handling cattle as well as cattle health.</p><p></p><p>We schedule two vet visits to the farm a year - one in the spring a few weeks after the last calf is born and one in the fall at weaning time. In the spring we run the whole herd through the chute including the new calves. He cuts the bull calves and calves and cows all get appropriate shots - whatever he recommends. The way he cuts the calves is very clean. He has a couple special tools to make the cuts. I have never had one get an infection and they heal very quickly and get back to gaining weight.</p><p></p><p>In the fall visit he preg checks all the females. That alone is worth the cost of his visits for the year. Carrying on open female over the winter and through to spring to find out she's open is not cheap at current hay prices. Finding one open cow about pays for his visits and services. And that is not something I expect to be able to do. In the fall all cattle including the bulls (but not including any steers to be processed) get poured and shots he suggests. He preg checks first so that any open females get nothing done so they are clean when shipped to the sale barn slaughter sale the next day. This also saves money.</p><p></p><p>During his visits he just looks my cattle over as they go through the chute and makes suggestions on which ones might be worth retaining and which ones not. He looks at feet, eyes, etc.</p><p></p><p>I think of my total annual vet costs in terms dollars per head per year. My total vet expenses for the past three years have been under $30 per head per year. And the preventive medicine approach means I shouldn't see him except for those two visits. With a good relationship he and his staff quickly reply if i have any telephone questions. During his visits he takes the time to answer any questions I might have. </p><p></p><p>With fewer beef cattle and dairy cows in our area as more pastures go to corn and beans my vet says that they (he and his partner vet) are doing more cat and dog work than in the past.</p><p></p><p>I suggest that part of your job as a vet is to convince cattlemen that preventive medicine is the lowest cost approach. I really appreciate my vet. I almost never have a sick animal - really can't remember the last one.</p><p></p><p>Good luck in your education and profession.</p><p></p><p>Jim</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="SRBeef, post: 986488, member: 7509"] MM I am on the other side of your question. I wouldn't think of NOT having a vet out. I have always stressed preventative medicine with people (my family and business employees) AND, for my past 7 years, with cattle. With people it is definitely cheaper in the long run to keep people healthy rather than treating them when they get sick. My MD daughter does the same in her family practice. I believe the same thing is true with cattle. With cattle there is the additional factor that as a beginner I really don't know much about them. I've been in row crops for many years - but not cattle. I am a smaller but growing operation. Aren't most cow-calf operations under 50 or 100 cows? My vet has a very reasonable travel charge as in my area distances are not the problem they are in some other areas. He is older, has cattle of his own and is a good teacher as well as a good doctor. He has taught me a lot about handling cattle as well as cattle health. We schedule two vet visits to the farm a year - one in the spring a few weeks after the last calf is born and one in the fall at weaning time. In the spring we run the whole herd through the chute including the new calves. He cuts the bull calves and calves and cows all get appropriate shots - whatever he recommends. The way he cuts the calves is very clean. He has a couple special tools to make the cuts. I have never had one get an infection and they heal very quickly and get back to gaining weight. In the fall visit he preg checks all the females. That alone is worth the cost of his visits for the year. Carrying on open female over the winter and through to spring to find out she's open is not cheap at current hay prices. Finding one open cow about pays for his visits and services. And that is not something I expect to be able to do. In the fall all cattle including the bulls (but not including any steers to be processed) get poured and shots he suggests. He preg checks first so that any open females get nothing done so they are clean when shipped to the sale barn slaughter sale the next day. This also saves money. During his visits he just looks my cattle over as they go through the chute and makes suggestions on which ones might be worth retaining and which ones not. He looks at feet, eyes, etc. I think of my total annual vet costs in terms dollars per head per year. My total vet expenses for the past three years have been under $30 per head per year. And the preventive medicine approach means I shouldn't see him except for those two visits. With a good relationship he and his staff quickly reply if i have any telephone questions. During his visits he takes the time to answer any questions I might have. With fewer beef cattle and dairy cows in our area as more pastures go to corn and beans my vet says that they (he and his partner vet) are doing more cat and dog work than in the past. I suggest that part of your job as a vet is to convince cattlemen that preventive medicine is the lowest cost approach. I really appreciate my vet. I almost never have a sick animal - really can't remember the last one. Good luck in your education and profession. Jim [/QUOTE]
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