NEW INFO: Vet Believes Steers Died of Acute Interstitial Pneumonia

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Posted: Mon 4:12 PM, Jan 17, 2011

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Reporter: Jennifer Kliese Email

Updated: Tue 6:54 PM, Jan 18, 2011

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NEW INFO: Vet Believes Steers Died of Acute Interstitial Pneumonia

Cow Deaths

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Cattle Investigation

The 200 dead cattle were discovered on a farm field on 4th Street in Amherst. Sunday, the bodies were taken out in semi-loads to be disposed of.

The farm's veterinarian says preliminary results show the animals died of acute interstitial pneumonia, also known as AIP. Samples from the dead animals were sent to Madison for testing.

The vet says the steers began to die early last week, with the last dying Saturday. The animals started showing symptoms of illness and then died within 12 hours. The vet says animals didn't respond to treatment.

The herd's owner declined to comment on the situation.

Investigators say there is no threat to people or other animals. The Portage County Humane Society is investigating the deaths.

The cattle on the farm are not quarantined.

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by Wally Location: Buckeye Arizona on Jan 29, 2012 at 03:18 PM

I saw a case a little similar to this many years ago and it turned out to be due to bracken fern toxicity, although the ferns were no longer in evidence as the cattle had eaten all of them.

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by Resonate Location: Oregon on Feb 9, 2011 at 02:35 AM

No one in this country has to eat meat to survive and no one has to raise cattle to make a living, It is a choice.

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by Jamed Location: WI on Jan 23, 2011 at 10:33 AM

I'm with Deb. It's amazing (or maybe it isn't) that people who know nothing about a subject feel compelled to comment anyway. I guess that's todays society? Does anyone know whether a fund-raiser is in the works?

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by Anonymous on Jan 22, 2011 at 06:47 PM

Yes, vets do have knowledge in transmission of diseases from animals to humans (zoonotic diseases). That is part of our training in school. If you contact the CDC, they'll probably refer you to the vet on staff.

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by Deb Location: Amherst Junction, WI on Jan 22, 2011 at 10:14 AM

I have just read all of the comments here and I am stunned by how our public is so underinformed when it comes to farming. Please show me a farm that does not stink or that doesn't get muddy in the spring and summer! These are real people dealing with real problems, not some big corporation. Maybe if the public and government would figure out how to pay the farmers for the work they put in (24/7/365), we wouldn't have to try to raise so many animals to make a living. Think about it a little more and quit trying to 'blame' someone! There isn't always someone to point at, sometimes these things just happen and there is nothing that could have been done to stop it. This family has also had to deal with their shed full of hay burning down recently, so let's just keep kicking them when they are down. Please find better ways to use your energy people!

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by cattle feeder Location: wis on Jan 22, 2011 at 09:06 AM

i lost 10 cattle out of a 100 head a year ago ,in 3 days ,the cause was micro toxins(mold) in the feed. we was feeding ethanol byproducts at the time.

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by Steve Location: Custer, Wisconsin on Jan 20, 2011 at 02:04 PM

Seeing that AIP is so deadly, do you think anyone contacted the CDC for their opinion? Does a vet know about a human getting it? I think it is better to be safe than sorry.

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by unknown on Jan 20, 2011 at 08:18 AM

the world is coming to an end this is a sign from God telling us that he is coming

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by Tanner Location: Portage County on Jan 19, 2011 at 11:23 PM

These animals did die from Pneumonia. i know the farmer i farm these things always happen i farming so people believing that they werent fed or watered are wrong so leave us farmers alone..

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by Steve Location: Custer, Wisconsin on Jan 19, 2011 at 07:54 PM

I did not say it was. The source is unknown. If you click the video button for cattle investigation you will hear that it was comfirmed as AIP.

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