Ask a Country Vet: Livestock Advice

Q: I just acquired a 2-year-old Holstein from my neighbor. Is it safe to miss a milking session every now and then?

A: I really wouldn't recommend it. Professional dairy farmers milk their cows at least a couple of times a day — come rain, shine, or holidays. Even as a dairy hobbyist, you should commit to two sessions daily, 12 hours apart. If you absolutely can't be home at the appointed hour, skipping a single milking won't seriously harm your cow but will make her uncomfortable. Should this happen often enough, she may suffer from mastitis (infection of the udder), or blood could show up in the next milking. Production is also likely to diminish, and your newly adopted pet could eventually dry up entirely. So, yes, sticking to a regular schedule is crucial. Keep in mind that for a dairy cow to continue yielding milk, she'll need to be bred every 10 months or so. Each time she gives birth, a cow is said to "freshen," producing roughly six to 10 gallons every 24 hours, more than enough nourishment for a 100-pound newborn. Once the mother and calf have gone their separate ways, it's your responsibility to remove the moo juice — a duty you should never take lightly.

Q: Recently, my rabbit was treated for snuffles. He seems back to normal, but our vet says he's not cured. Is it possible to kick this infection?

A: Not always. Widespread in the rabbit world, snuffles is a highly contagious upper-respiratory infection brought on by bacteria (typically Pasteurella multocida). Infected bunnies have runny noses and watery eyes, and might also sneeze and cough. A healthy rabbit's immune system is usually capable of fighting a mild case of snuffles, but more potent strains prove difficult to combat.

Antibiotics can successfully treat the infection, but sometimes the bacteria may linger, dormant, leading illness to recur months or even years later. Meanwhile, your bunny could still be contagious. (I wouldn't recommend isolating him forever, but if you have other rabbits, do separate any that show obvious signs of snuffles, and wash your hands after handling each rabbit.)

Moving forward, keep an eye out for indications of a relapse, so you can nip the problem in the bud before it becomes serious: Snuffles can lead to pneumonia, an often fatal complication. Early treatment is key to ensuring that your floppy-eared pal lives a long, happy life.

Q: I'd like to add an alpaca to my five-acre farm, but I know it's a herd animal. Is it okay to start with one, or do I need to get two or more?

A: Originally from the high Andes of Peru, Bolivia, and Chile, alpacas were introduced to the United States in the 1980s, and the shaggy animals—raised for their woolly fleece—caught on in a flash. You're right about their herd mentality: While a lone alpaca might mingle with sheep or goats, the social creature won't be truly happy without a buddy of the same breed, which is why I strongly recommend getting at least two. You won't regret it.

The practical reason to tend alpacas is to shear off their fleece each spring and sell the raw fiber, but these smart, inquisitive herbivores also make endearing pets. Roughly half the size of a llama, an average alpaca stands just under five feet tall and weighs between 150 and 200 pounds, about as much as a full-grown Saint Bernard. Given their short stature, alpacas are easy to transport in a minivan or an SUV for visits to the vet (they'll climb in and "cush," tucking their legs under their bodies). Plus, they rarely show aggression, which makes them a good bet even for inexperienced keepers.

Depending on the availability of grass, most farmers devote an acre of grazing land per five to 10 alpacas. On your five acres, a sizable herd would be quite comfortable--and these creatures, with their big doe eyes, are so lovable that I bet you won't be able to stop at just one pair.

Q: This will be our first summer with a drum colt yearling. He has a partially white coat, so I'm worried about melanoma — is there anything I should do to keep him safe?

A: While no direct link exists between sun exposure and melanoma in horses, steeds with predominantly white or gray coats do prove particularly susceptible to this type of malignant tumor.

Unfortunately, there really isn't a way to prevent it. Rather, once your animal reaches adulthood, you should keep a watchful eye for strange growths; while I almost never see these tumors on horses under 6 years old, about 80 percent of those with gray or white coats will develop a melanoma by age 15. The cancer starts as a hard black growth, often found under the tail, in the neck region, or around the groin.

If, down the road, you spot a lump, consult your vet immediately. It's always best to remove any suspicious mass when it's small, due to melanoma's unpredictability. Some tumors remain minimal and unchanging for years, then enlarge without warning. Others may expand aggressively from the get-go; very rarely, some of these growths metastasize internally and become fatal.

I recommend getting into the habit now of brushing your drum colt regularly and inspecting his skin. This way, years into the future, you'll notice abnormal growths early and can have your vet take care of tumors before they cause any harm.

Q: When my kids let their ferret, Timon, out of his cage, he turns into a kleptomaniac, snatching any little thing he can find. Can we train him to leave our stuff alone?

A: By nature, these smart, slinky guys have inquisitive urges that often get them into trouble. A ferret with full rein of the house will dig under carpeting, uproot houseplants, and collect a stash of tiny treasures, such as jewelry and car keys. But there is a way you can stop yours from acting like a furry bandit — change his surroundings.

Establish rules with your children that specify where Timon can run free. Although ferrets should be allowed outside their cages for a few hours each day, limit yours to a safe, contained space. A small room, or even a fenced-off part of a larger indoor room, makes for a great ferret playground.

Cover the floor with a vinyl remnant and remove any items that could prove hazardous to your pal. Outfit the area with plenty of objects to keep him stimulated: Dryer-vent tubing can double as a fun tunnel, and an old pillowcase filled with paper towels will quickly become a ferret's favorite hideout. Give Timon a few toys, food, water, a soft spot where he can nap, and, of course, a litter pan in the corner. You'll rest easy knowing that he's getting to indulge his curiosity — but not that hoarding habit.

Q: Dottie, one of my goats, sneezes like crazy every morning. Might she have allergies?

A: As with you and me, this nose-clearing reflex sneaks up on a goat for a variety of reasons. Dottie, no doubt, is just doing what comes naturally. But if her sneezing seems excessive, you should investigate why.

Begin by checking for illness. Viral and bacterial upper-respiratory infections are fairly common in goats, so if you notice any nasal discharge, take Dottie's temperature. A fever means you ought to call the vet.

Either way, I doubt she's suffering from allergies; goats rarely do. Instead, the culprit tends to be irritants like dusty and moldy hay that aggravate the animal's delicate nasal passages.

Believe it or not, goats sometimes sneeze as a means of communication. If Dottie goes into her frenzies when you approach each morning, I'd say she's alerting the others of your arrival.

Q: How do I treat my horse’s fire ant bites?

A: Immediately brush off all the ants, hose down your horse with cold water, and apply ice packs to the affected areas. Then rub a topical cortisone cream on the bites to help reduce inflammation and itching. Discomfort will generally subside in a few days, but keep an eye on the bumps, as they can require additional treatment with topical antibiotics.

Q: A friend told me that I need to have my pet bunny’s teeth trimmed regularly — is she right?

A: A rabbits teeth continue to grow throughout the animal’s life. If all’s well, they’ll grate together when he or she eats hay, greens, and pellets, and that friction will keep the choppers at a healthy length. If your pet’s incisors look particularly long, there’s a chance the bunny is having trouble chewing food properly. The remedy? A quick trim. Your veterinarian can perform this fairly simple and seemingly pain-free procedure in just a few minutes, with an implement similar to the rotary tool a dentist might use. After treatment, keep an eye on the animal: If those teeth still don’t meet properly or you notice weight loss, you’ll want to bring Bugs in for a recheck.

Q: Can I get a potbellied pig if I own two black Labs?

A: Since you already own Labrador retrievers, I'd advise against adopting a potbellied pig. Both are pack animals by nature and will challenge each other for dominance. In most instances, the canine wins the battle and may injure its porcine housemate.

Q: I'd like to start raising goats. What breeds are considered the best milk producers?

A: If milk quantity is your main concern, consider Toggenburgs, the oldest dairy breed in the world, or Saanens, the most popular choice for commercial dairies. Should you want a pet as well as a good milker, La Manchas earn praise for their calm, sweet dispositions. If you’re looking to make cheese, droopy-eared Nubians garner raves for their milk's higher-than-average butterfat content.

Q: Can my Holstein cow produce more milk?

A: Contented cows produce more milk. Bovines who are given names, spoken to affectionately, and treated with kindness, produce more milk annually than animals who haven’t been socialized to humans. Stressed-out cows release too much of the hormone cortisol, which in turn inhibits lactation.