Bovine Congestive Heart Failure | Dr. Wayne Ayers

Welcome back to the American Cattlemen Podcast. Just ahead, we have Dustin Hector, he's the Director of Business Development for American Cattlemen Media, and he sits down with Dr. Wayne Ayers, Senior Beef Cattle Technical Consultant with Elanco Animal Health, for an informative discussion on Bovine Congestive Heart Failure (BCHF), also known as bovine pulmonary hypertension or right-sided heart failure. As the disease continues to affect cattle at both high and low elevations, Dr. Ayers explains why producers across the country should become familiar with its causes, symptoms, and risk factors.  Drawing from decades of veterinary experience in private practice, academia, and animal health research, Dr. Ayers breaks down the science behind Bovine Congestive Heart Failure in practical terms. He discusses how pulmonary hypertension places increasing stress on the heart, eventually leading to heart failure in affected cattle. Listeners learn to recognize common warning signs, including brisket edema, bottle jaw, fatigue, labored breathing, and jugular vein distension, while also understanding why early recognition is critical since the disease is almost always fatal once clinical signs appear. The conversation explores the growing body of research surrounding the condition, including the discovery of genetic markers that significantly increase an animal's risk of developing Bovine Congestive Heart Failure. Dr. Ayers explains how genetic testing can help producers make more informed breeding decisions and reduce the prevalence of susceptible animals over time. He also discusses the connection between bovine respiratory disease (BRD) and heart failure, highlighting how previous lung damage can dramatically increase the likelihood of cattle developing BCHF later in life. Beyond genetics, Dustin and Dr. Ayers examine practical management strategies that may help reduce risk throughout the production cycle. Topics include implementing strong vaccination programs, minimizing handling stress, preventing respiratory disease, reducing heat and cold stress, providing adequate shade and bedding, and adjusting feeding programs for higher-risk cattle. They also discuss how communication between cow-calf producers, backgrounders, and feedlots can improve long-term herd health by identifying at-risk bloodlines and sharing valuable performance data. Whether you're a commercial cattle producer, feedlot manager, veterinarian, or anyone involved in the beef industry, this episode delivers valuable insights into one of the industry's emerging health challenges. Dr. Ayers provides practical recommendations that can help producers better understand Bovine Congestive Heart Failure, improve herd management decisions, and protect the long-term health and profitability of their cattle operations.   For previous episodes of the American Cattlemen Podcast, please visit:  www.americancattlemen.com. American Cattlemen Podcast is Sponsored By: Moly Manufacturing Central Life Sciences Medgene Forge