3rd Mature Buck in 3 Weeks about to Die!??

Mark, I'm so sorry that you have to go through all of this with your bucks. Have you thought about contacting Dr. Shipley at the UofI Champaign to ask for his input? He's a super, super guy. Very generous with his knowledge...



I think that the mild weather we are having (non-freezing temps) may have an effect on the spread of respiratory diseases. I know that dogs are really affected by current conditions...

re: Banamine



I just remembered something that Dr. Joe (TX) wrote a few months ago when advising the use of Dex instead of Banamine on dehydrated animals...



he writes:

Banamine will increase kidney damage in dehydrated animals and will cause increase ulceration of the gut if already starting to ulcerate, as with EHD

Listeriosis is caused by a bacteria that can affect all mammals including humans. In the goat industry is is called the "Circling Disease" because affected animals commonly walk compulsively in a circle. The bacteria are found in the environment, especially in rotting vegetation such as poorly prepared silage. The infection is normally cause by the animal ingesting the organism through environmental or fecal contamination of their feed. The disease is most common during the cool weather. Though the bacteria is easily killed by common disinfectants, it can survive in feces, silage, and tissue for 5 or more years.

The disease is most common in adult ruminants. The source of infection in herds can be when mammals and birds feces spread the bacteria in the soil or on feed areas..



Signs and Symptoms

Early signs are:



Depression

Decreased appetite

Decreased milk production

Fever

There are two forms seen:



Encephalitic form - In the brain. The bacteria enters through breaks in the oral mucosa and migrate to the brain. Signs are:

Incoordination

Circling in the same direction

Seizures

Hind lib paralysis

Facial nerve disorders

Excessive salivation

Slack jaw

Impaired swallowing

Cornea inflammation

Septicemic form - Blood-borne. The bacteria enters through the intestines. Signs are:

Diarrhea

Abortion





Treatment

Required detection early in the course of the disease. Large doses of antibiotics such as penicillin and tetracycline are generally given along with fluids, electrolytes



Administer penicillin and tetracycline orally at 25 mg/kg for 1 week or 11.5 mg/lb per day for 3 consecutive days. In the encephalic forms, intravenous sodium penicillin at a dosage of 40,000 IU/kg or 18,000 IU mg/lb every 6 hours until signs are improved, followed by administration of procaine penicillin at a dosage of 20,000 IU/kg body weight twice a day for 3 days.

Administer intravenously 1-2 mg/kg or 0.05 mg/lb mg/kg or dexamethasone is recommended to treat inflammation in the brain. Intravenous fluid and electrolyte therapy and supplemental feeding are also recommended.

Discard spoiled feed and hay.

Improve sanitation of pens, water supply, pasture, and housing.

Keep wild birds away from the herd as much as possible as these birds may serve as vectors for the disease.

Identify the source of infection in order to help eliminate the causative agent.

In the case of abortion, isolate aborting does and send aborted fetuses and placentas to a diagnosis center for isolation of the causative agent. (Wear latex gloves when handling placental membranes.)

If a doe has listeriosis, feed kids pasteurized colostrums, milk, or a milk substitute.

Human listeriosis is associated with the consumption of contaminated meat products, as well as milk and cheese obtained from nonpasteurized milk. Humans can also contract listeriosis by handling fetuses and specimens from aborted animals, and newborns of infected does. Always wear gloves when handling fetuses and specimens from aborted does.

Will lime-ing the pens better help a bit to prevent further disease?



SCOTT: IS THERE A VACCINE FOR THIS?

No vaccine I am aware of and liming never hurts.

Ask your vet to take a sample of their blood. The only way to clinically test for listeriosis is to examine the blood and isolate the listeriosis organism.



Read more: How to Test for Listeriosis | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_7379765_test-listeriosis.html#ixzz1exPSrgff

Mark, according to the doc's I've read re LIsteriosis, you will likely have to treat ALL of the deer at the same time with the basic penicillin or tetracycline. Can you do it via their water trough?