May 14, 2010
Tornado debris puts Oklahoma's cattle health at risk
The aftermath of Oklahoma's recent tornadoes has many cattle producers walking their pastures looking for insulation, building materials and other debris that may affect animal health.
Matt Stockman, Cleveland County Extension agriculture educator, said cattle will eat just about anything, including debris left by storms and high winds. "Producers are going to have to pick up as much debris from their pastures as possible," Stockman said. "This can be a painstaking, labour-intensive process given the potential amount of small debris."
Insulation can cause bloat, impaction and gastro-intestinal problems when consumed, including possible haemorrhaging of the rumen. Nails and other small pieces of metal can cause "hardware" disease, health problems associated with the consumption of metal.
Dr. Gene Parker, Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service veterinarian and area food animal quality and health specialist, said a single piece of wire consumed by a bull, cow, heifer or calf can drop down into the reticulum, the first stomach, where it potentially can pierce the heart. Other problems sometimes associated with "hardware" disease are the shutting down of the rumen, depression, acute pain and decreased milk production.
"Cattle producers may want to use rumen magnets if there appears to be a significant amount of metal debris in pastures," Parker said. "A rumen magnet may be a health-care investment well worth the money." Local large-animal veterinarians have information on rumen magnets, including associated costs and availability.
"Insulation debris is more problematic, because of the small size," Parker said. "Producers are unlikely to rid their pastures of every bit of insulation. If animals exhibit symptoms of insulation-related problems, producers should contact their local veterinarians immediately."