01. Productive veterinary Medicine and Its Economic Impact

HERDSECURE TECHNICAL BRIEF

DEFINITIONS

Productive Medicine, also known as “Production Medicine” or “Species-Specific Veterinary Medicine”, is a discipline that integrates animal production knowledge with traditional veterinary medicine.

Its primary goal is to improve production efficiency while promoting animal welfare and human well-being.

This field includes key terms such as:

• Food Animal Production

• Food Animal Medicine

• Herd Health

• Herd Health Management

• Production Medicine

• And specifically in the dairy sector: Dairy Production Medicine

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Production Medicine and Herd Health Management are closely interconnected. Together, they focus on maintaining optimal animal health while ensuring sufficient productivity—with the ultimate goal of achieving maximum economic return for the system owner. This approach inherently involves both Bovine Nutrition and Reproduction Management.

ECONOMIC IMPACT of productive veterinary medicine

Every time an animal becomes sick or is exposed to chronic stress factors—such as nutritional deficiencies, environmental challenges, infections, poor handling, inadequate facilities, or weak health programs—it creates a negative economic impact that results in measurable losses.

For example:

(continúa aquí si vas a incluir ejemplos de pérdidas por mastitis, retención de placenta, diarreas, etc.)

DAIRY AND BEEF CATTLE:

Displaced abomasum is a common pathological condition in high-yielding specialized dairy cows.

One of the most critical risk factors is nutritional management during the prepartum and early postpartum periods.

The economic cost of displaced abomasum has been estimated at 2 to 3 kg of milk lost per day during lactation and US$340 per case.

• Respiratory diseases are also very common in both dairy and beef cattle.

• The absence or inconsistency of preventive health programs is one of the main contributing factors.

• Losses due to respiratory disease can be substantial, with weight loss ranging from 77 to over 300 grams per day, poor animal performance, longer stay per production phase, and even death.

• This example clearly illustrates how epidemiology, preventive medicine, management, facilities, nutrition, clinical practice, recordkeeping, and ultimately economics are all interrelated.

Reproductive issues are a common pathological condition in both dairy and beef herds.

• Again, the lack of consistent preventive health programs is a major contributing factor.

• The economic losses are significant: embryonic loss, abortions, dirty cows, infertility, and more.

• Abortion is the most common issue, with financial losses estimated at MX$17,000 to MX$20,000 per cow.

• For every open day, producers lose approximately US$5 per cow, a reproductive cost that must also be taken into account.

Parasitic diseases are also widespread in both dairy and beef cattle.

• The absence or failure of consistent parasite control programs is a frequent cause of outbreaks.

• These issues result in serious losses in both meat and milk production.

• Effects include weight loss, diarrhea, blood parasite diseases (such as anaplasmosis and babesiosis), reproductive issues like infertility or abortions, and animal deaths.

• Estimated annual losses are 25–35 kg per animal from internal parasites, and 40–60 kg per animal from external parasites.

CONCLUSION:

Productive veterinary medicine involves implementing cost-benefit approaches to treatment or euthanasia of sick animals;

Monitoring herd health and applying preventive medicine principles;

Managing and generating records through efficient use of digital tools and software;

Recommending and establishing best practices in areas like nutrition, reproduction, applied genetics, clinical care, and more;

Promoting management practices that ensure a high-quality product, free of chemical and biological contaminants, while also supporting animal welfare and reducing environmental impact.

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REFERENCES:

1. Melendez, Pedro Dr (M.V.M.S.). Medicina de la Producción y Salud de Rebaño: Una especialidad emergente.  Depto. Fomento Prod. Animal Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias - Univ. Chile. TECNO VET, Año 7 No. 1.  Marzo 2021.  

2. Wittum 2001;

3. Rev.MVZ. Córdova, 2003.

4. Quiroz 1990; 

5. Fragoso 2004.