Cattle health can change quickly, and sometimes without warning. Raising cattle can be challenging, but knowing common diseases makes catching and treating issues much easier. Whether caring for beef, dairy, or a small herd, understanding the basics can help you avoid bigger problems later.
Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD)
One of the most common cattle diseases is Bovine Respiratory Disease, also called "shipping fever.” It often shows up after stressful events like weaning, transport, or extreme weather. BRD can show up as coughing, fast or heavy breathing, a runny nose, loss of appetite, or unusual behavior. You can help prevent it with vaccines, keeping cattle stress low, and giving new animals some time apart from the rest.
Mastitis
Mastitis is an udder infection primarily affecting dairy cows, but beef cattle can also get it. It can be painful and reduce milk production. Watch for signs like a swollen or warm udder and clumpy or odd-looking milk. The cow might flinch or kick during milking, have a fever, or seem generally distressed. To help prevent Mastitis, keep bedding and milking equipment clean. Also, dairy cows' udders should be regularly checked so you can catch any symptoms early.
Bloat
Bloat is a common cattle disease that can come on fast and be fatal without quick action. When bloat occurs, the cow’s rumen fills with gas, and they cannot burp it out. This is especially common when they eat too much rich pasture, like alfalfa.
Bloat can cause the left side of the belly to look big and tight. Other signs include restlessness, kicking at the belly, trouble breathing, and, in severe cases, collapse. To avoid bloat, slowly easing cattle into new pastures is important. Giving hay before turnout and using feed additives like anti-bloat blocks or oils can also help.
Hoof Rot
Hoof rot is a painful and fast-spreading disease in cattle. It usually shows up when conditions are muddy or wet. Signs include limping, swelling between the toes, and a strong, rotten smell. The key to hoof rot prevention is keeping pens and pastures as dry as possible. Hoof trimming and foot baths with antibacterial solutions are also a great solution. If caught early enough, antibiotics are also a great treatment solution.
Johne’s Disease
Johne’s (pronounced "yo-nees") is a common cattle disease that is chronic and slowly damages the digestive system over time. It can take years for signs to show up, but the damage is done by then. Signs of Johne’s disease include ongoing diarrhea, weight loss even with a normal appetite, a rough coat, and poor overall condition. There is no cure, so prevention is essential. Buy from tested herds, keep calves away from adult manure, and ask your vet about testing.
You can’t prevent every illness, but knowing the common cattle diseases gives you a head start. Regular checkups, proper feeding, less stress, and clean surroundings all help. Remember, early action is everything! Catching signs sooner means faster treatment, less suffering, and fewer losses in your herd.
