Dr. Leland Allenstein Dairy Teaching Herd Newsletter Fall 2006 Third Issue December 18th, 2006 Red s Corner By: Red (of course) At Christmas time each year I feel I should be doing more especially with the fact that I now have a bell. Perhaps I could assist the Salvation Army in the West Towne Mall by ringing my bell and then all the bell ringers would have to do is hold out their buckets for the money my bell would bring in. This would certainly be a unique opportunity and I could walk over there on a halter. There could be breaks setup and students from the Bovine Club could provide grain and silage and allow me to relieve myself without soiling any Mall property. Or Dave could follow through on his promise to help me begin yodeling lessons. That would certainly give me more of a feeling I am contributing. This has always been my problem not contributing as I think back to my only calf (and it was a bull to boot) six years ago. I am not even listed in the recording systems either DHIA or Dairy Comp 305. Furthermore, I am not even listed on the inventory board in the office (ok I am but I am listed as a minus in the total inventory. Maybe next semester Dr. Bill will consider me for more laboratories now that my back fat has disappeared to some extent which means the needle might get into the epidural space in the February 2007 cut a cow course (it hasn t the last few years). If all of these ideas do not work out, I could always do what I do best and help Dave! I would love to come over to the feed lot before all the other dry cows and heifer to make sure he has put out our grain. It should only take me about 10-15 minutes to make sure he hasn t, then ring my bell and remind him to bring more grain before he brings over the others. It sounds like a great plan to me and then I will feel like I have contributed :)
Support for Dr. Allenstein Benefits the Teaching Herd His friends and colleagues are rallying to honor Dr. Leland Allenstein, a longtime Wisconsin veterinary practitioner who has devoted a lifetime of caring and teaching to the dairy industry. The goal is to endow the School of Veterinary Medicine s dairy teaching herd in his name. With a $1 million endowment, the herd will be funded in perpetuity, guaranteeing that future generations of veterinarians will continue to have the opportunity to experience first-hand what it s like to work up-close and personal with a dairy herd. It s a fitting honor for a veterinarian who loved teaching and sharing knowledge. In addition to running a dairy practice in Whitewater, Wisconsin, Dr. Allenstein wrote for Hoard s Dairyman, was chief veterinarian for World Dairy Expo, taught students at the UW School of Veterinary Medicine, and served on the American Association of Bovine Practitioners board. To donate, contact the School s Office for Advancement at 608/265-9692 Cow Surfing By: Kerry Hagen Manske THE TALE OF CARMEN During the 3 rd year palpation lab on Thursday, November 16 th Dr. Peek and Dr. Momont noticed that Carmen, a 5 year old Holstein and one of the herd s top producers had a uterine torsion. She was past her estimated due date and so was induced that morning but not showing any signs of labor. Since there were about 15 eager 3 rd year students available to help they decided to try and roll Carmen to fix her torsion. If you need a refresher on what exactly cow surfing or rolling a cow is, we will refer back to last months Clinician s Corner Casting Carmen and assisting to make sure she lays down on the correct side to correct the torsion
written by Dr. Keith Paulsen: Correction of uterine torsion can be done manually with devices such as a really strong arm or a de-torsion rod in cows presenting with an open cervix. Cows presenting with a closed cervix can be corrected via cow surfing with a plank and rolling the cow (hopefully down hill) in the direction of the torsion or via surgical correction. Grace was taken to surgery due to her closed cervix and the fact that most Madisonians would object to rolling a 1650 lb cow down Mineral Point Road whilst a lucky chosen student hangs 10. As you can see from the pictures we did a great job surfing and after two tries we successfully corrected Carmen s torsion. This, however, was not the end of Carmen s troubles. By 7AM the next morning (Friday) she was in first stage labor. By 1 PM Dave started pulling the calf but was not able to deliver the heifer because it seemed to be getting caught on something. Dr. Momont was called in to investigate and determined that she had a ventral dislocation of her sacral spine that was significantly decreasing the height of her caudal pelvis (don t worry he does not think it was related to our surfing incident the day before). The calf was already in anterior longitudinal presentation, dorsosacral position with the forelimbs and neck extended so the decision was make to just pull the calf with a little more man-power. Thankfully a few minutes later a live heifer was delivered and later named Cascade. Dr. Goodger treated Carmen prophylactically for milk fever and as of 3 PM on Friday, November 17 th both mom and calf were doing fine. The VMTH Visit By: Toby Pinn and Melissa Maurer-Ford On Sunday, November 19 th Carmen was brought into the University of Wisconsin VMTH. On Saturday she had been given oral calcium to try and prevent a possible relapse but it apparently was not enough because Sunday morning she was down at 5 am when the milk crew arrived. Despite everyone s best efforts, including IV
calcium and hypertonic saline, Carmen remained recumbent. Upon admission to the VMTH Carmen was placed in a sling and hoisted into the float tank. The following morning Carmen emerged from the float tank ambulatory but lame on her left hind limb. Upon evaluation an abscess was discovered on her lateral claw. Over the next 24 hour period Carmen was treated with oral calcium and the NSAID flunixin meglamine (banamine) for pain in her left hind hoof. Carmen also underwent subsequent float tank sessions to relieve the physical stress on her musculoskeletal system and restore circulation to those areas traumatized during her down period. Unfortunately, 2 days after her admission to the VMTH, Carmen had developed a warm, painful swelling that extended above the hock of her left rear leg. This was accompanied by a fever. This cellulitis was attributed either to an ascending infection from the previously mentioned lateral claw abscess, or trauma endured while recumbent. Carmen was immediately treated with an alcohol bath to reduce her fever. The abscess was reevaluated with further trimming, aspirin was given orally as an antipyretic and IV antibiotics (Naxcel and Penicillin) and banamine were administered. By her third day in the VMTH, The sling used to support Carmen when she could not stand on her own Carmen s health began to decline. Her CBC revealed a neutrophilia with a left shift, indicating an advanced infection. Her fever had returned and so had her inability to stand. Her manure contained occult blood, suggesting the development of banamine-induced abomasal ulcers. Due to Carmen s continued pain, poor response to treatment and ulcer development, NSAIDS were discontinued and a single anti-inflammatory dose of dexamethasone steroid was administered. The following morning, Thanksgiving, Carmen responded positively to the steroid injection by becoming more alert, ambulatory and drinking water. Clinicians continued treating Carmen s cellulitis, using morphine analgesia and alcohol wraps to alleviate the heat and swelling in her left hind leg. In addition, the antibiotic course was revised by instituting oxytetracycline and sulfadimethoxine instead of Penicillin and Naxcel. Just as Carmen was beginning to stand on her own 4 hooves again, fever and recumbency returned. To the great sadness of Dr. Goodger and the VMTH clinicians, Carmen was euthanized on the morning of November 25 th, six long days after her ordeal began.
Dynamic Duo of the Month By: Allie Wistrand Mazepa Our final featured couple for this semester is Kevin Joyce and his favorite cow, Lucky. Kevin is a junior at the University of Wisconsin and is majoring in zoology. He is originally from Sauk Prairie, Wisconsin. Kevin has been working with the Charmany girls since August 2006, and his favorite aspect of the job is feeding the cows. (Coincidentally, this is Lucky s favorite aspect of Kevin s job too.) He is currently in the process of applying to veterinary school, and although undecided, he is leaning towards a carrier in large animal medicine. In addition to his academic and bovine activities, Kevin is also a member of the wrestling team and an avid bird watcher. Lucky, daughter of Lucy, is a first lactation Holstein. She had her first calf, Lafaye, on February 15, 2006 and was just confirmed pregnant with her second calf in late November. Lucky s last DHIA test boasted an impressive 4.4% milk fat and ME305 of 29, 556. She also had an remarkably low Somatic Cell Count at 19,000. Her total milk production to date is 22,250 pounds. Charmany Update: Rumors Untrue!! By: Melissa Maurer-Ford Rumors abound about a possible move for Charmany to the Lake Kegonsa area, South of McFarland and North of Stoughton. These rumors are currently FAR from the truth. Two years ago Cuna Mutual Credit Union was all geared up to spread its expansive buildings to include the area that is now the cow pasture at Charmany. Unfortunately, due to changes within the Cuna organization, their plans are on indefinite hold. This means that, conveniently, the cows will be staying in their Charmany home with their sand stalls and soon to be fixed barn cleaner.
By: Christy Cibigtroth November Calvings: Pamela Six Allie Bunnie Angel Carmen I ll grow up to be just like my mom! Carmen gave birth to Cascade 11/17/06 Conception Confirmations: November 06 Gretchen Simone Lucky Marie Patricia
Students in the Herd Veterinary students 16 students in herd health this semester 24 students are working in the herd Undergraduate Special Projects Ovsynch program manager: Danielle James Vaccination program manager: Elsa Ludwig Body Condition Scoring: Danielle Skabroud Locomotion Scoring: Eli Yoder Endowing the Herd in Dr. Allenstein s Name In September 2005, the UW-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine s dairy teaching herd was named in Dr. Lee Allenstein s honor. Efforts are currently underway to endow the Dr. Leland Allenstein Dairy Teaching Herd so that the herd can continue to serve as a resource for future veterinarians. Much like Dr. Allenstein, the herd is an advocate for the dairy industry. The herd provides a positive introduction to veterinary medical students about patient care, milking, and an awareness of the dairy farmer s needs. Meet the Allenstein Committee: Bonnie Ayars Bonnie Ayars grew up on a dairy farm, and she still gets up at 4 am each day, dons her coveralls, and walks through the barn before going in to teach Family and Consumer Science to 7 th and 8 th graders at Urbana Junior High School in Urbana, Ohio. She first connected with Dr. Allenstein in the 1970s when her and her husband s prize-winning show Guernsey got sick during World Dairy Expo. The Expo veterinarian s professionalism, combined with a friendly attitude, impressed them. When you meet him, you know that he deeply cares about cows, and that he wants an answer for you, she says. The former Dairy Expo Woman of the Year admits that between his hands-on approach at World Dairy Expo and the articles he wrote for Hoard s, Dr. Allenstein proved to be very influential -- not just to her, but to the dairy industry as a whole. So she was understandably enthusiastic when she heard about efforts to endow Wisconsin s School of Veterinary Medicine Dairy Teaching Herd in Dr. Lee Allenstein s name.
He always kept up with changes in veterinary medicine, she says. Like herself, he is a teacher. And what better way to honor a well-known and respected teacher than to name a dairy teaching herd after him? Her own connection to veterinary medicine her nephew is the head veterinarian at Select Sires and her son is a senior in veterinary medicine at The Ohio State University gives her a firsthand understanding of the importance of the dairy teaching herd. We need skilled people to serve as dairy veterinarians, she says. This is an ideal way to perpetuate large animal concerns in veterinary medicine. And Wisconsin is an ideal place to have the teaching herd because it is the dairy state. Meet the Allenstein Committee: Dr. Bob Keith Dr. Bob Keith, a Dalton, Wisconsin native, first met Dr. Lee Allenstein in 1958 at one of the Rock Valley Veterinary Medical Association meetings held in Janesville, Wisconsin. The two veterinarians gravitated towards each other because they had both received their veterinary medical degree from Iowa State University. Dr. Keith, who practiced large animal medicine in Monroe, Wisconsin from 1959-1994, and currently is retired and resides in Arizona, notes that Dr. Allenstein has been his colleague, mentor and a very good friend over the years. Lee has had a lot to do with the way many veterinarians practice, through his Cowside Practice articles in Hoard s Dairyman, his countless talks at meetings, seminars and conventions, and his teaching at the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine, he says. He should be honored as a leading authority in dairy cattle veterinary medicine. Dr. Keith adds that Lee treats everybody equally. He tries to help everyone, he says. He s fun-loving and very sincere and it s not fake, it s there. Dr. Allenstein encouraged Dr. Keith to become Director of District 5 of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP), and was a big help to him when Dr. Keith became president of that group. Dr. Allenstein and Dr. Keith have both been awarded AABP s Bovine Practitioner of the Year. To be able to do things with Lee is inspiring, Dr. Keith says. You can t believe his energy and extensive knowledge of what is going on in the dairy industry today. He has been outstanding in his work with dairy clients and in his community, as well as with veterinary students, the World Dairy Expo, and the AABP. To ensure that his friend and mentor is honored, Dr. Keith has joined the committee that is overseeing the effort to name the School of Veterinary Medicine s dairy teaching herd after Dr. Allenstein. Not only is endowing the herd a great way to honor someone whose mission in life has been the dairy industry and teaching, the subsequent support generated by such a venture will also make a difference to countless veterinary medical students down the road.
Students Help Dairy Teaching Herd Now that the school s dairy teaching herd is bedded on sand, the cows are more comfortable, but the barn cleaner that moves manure from the collection gutter behind the cows has to work much harder. It means the barn cleaner chain will have to be replaced approximately every three years, says Dr. Bill Goodger, who oversees the herd. Unfortunately, the $6,000 replacement cost wasn t part of the original herd budget for 2007. So Dr. Goodger started approaching potential donors for help. In response, SCAVMA (the Student Chapter of the American Veterinary Medical Association) provided the herd with $2,000 toward the barn cleaner chain. Charmany is a valuable and worthwhile cause and something that benefits all the students at the vet school, said Jennifer Bennett, SCAVMA president. This kind of support, especially from students, is important to the mission of the herd, Dr. Goodger says. He notes that the herd s mission is ensuring that veterinary medical students continue to have access to quality dairy education opportunities. RARC (Research Animal Resources Center) is considering donating $1,500, which leaves Dr. Goodger looking for another $2,500. He hopes to find a source by the time the chain must be replaced. Congrats to all the students who participated in Herd Health first semester!!! Becky Tollefson Dusty Lochner Laura Dick Luke Peterson Rich Sim Sarah Smart Susan Crawford Will Sander Claire Groschwitz Jennifer Bennett Lesanna Lahner Becky Banks Robert George Stephanie Slayer Tara Grafwallner-Huseth Toby Pinn Thanks for taking care of our girls!
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES Interested in gaining experience working with dairy cows? Then boy do we have the opportunity for you! You can join the milking crew at the Charmany Teaching Facility and work the AM or PM milking shifts. Weekday shifts are from 5:00 am to 7:00 am and from 4:30 pm to 8:30 pm. Weekend shifts are from 5:00 am to 12:00 pm and from 4:30 pm to 8:30 pm. Interested students should contact Dr. Bill Goodger at (608) 770-1448. One further note on employment is that we can save 50% in student salary expenses (about $20,000 per year) if students apply for work study (about 90% of veterinary students are probably eligible). These added funds would not only allow more students access to the herd, but would also provide support for clinics, projects, and clinical upgrades to our facility which would enhance the experience for all students. Below is information about work study from the campus work study office in financial aid. ** The Work-Study Program does not determine where you work. It is up to you to determine where you d like to work and what type of work you d be interested in. The Federal Work- Study Program (FWSP) employee s will be glad to discuss with you what your interests are and what employment options are available to you but you will need to contact the employers directly to inquire about job availabilities. Having accepted Work-Study will benefit you primarily in two ways: first, since employers only pay 50 cents of every dollar earned by a student, work-study students are highly sought after employees and second, any work-study monies earned are not counted and considered as earned income when you apply for next year s financial aid. Normally a student s earnings are considered as earned income and your next year s financial aid award is reduced by that amount. If you decide to work on campus, ANY job at the UW automatically qualifies as a work-study position. You should always let a UW-employer know that you have accepted a work-study award, because again, it makes you an even more desirable hire to them. Having said this, some UW employers require that you have work-study. These listing can be found under the UWWR section. If you need to contact someone at the UW-SVM Teaching Herd Barn, call (608) 265-3558. Please direct correspondence regarding the Charmany Teaching Herd or the newsletter to: William J. Goodger, DVM, PhD Cell: (608) 770-1448 Email: wgoodger@facstaff.wisc.edu Thanks to the Newsletter Production Team: Toby Pinn Allie Wistrand Mazepa Melissa Maurer-Ford Christine Sibigtroth Kerry Hagen Manske Dr. Goodger