New Animal Quarantine Protocol

Purpose

This protocol establishes procedures for safely introducing new cattle to your operation. Proper quarantine protects your existing herd from infectious diseases that may not be apparent at the time of purchase.

Quarantine Overview

Minimum Quarantine Period

Why Quarantine?

Many diseases have a 2 to 3 week incubation period before symptoms show up, and shipping stress can trigger latent infections that were quiet at the source. Some diagnostic tests require time post-exposure for accuracy, and treatments like deworming and vaccination need time to take effect. Quarantine covers all of those windows.

Pre-Arrival Preparation

Quarantine Facility Requirements

Location:

• Preferably downwind from resident cattle
• No shared fence lines with main herd
• Drainage does not flow toward main herd

• Shade and shelter available
• Separate water source (or dedicated tank)
• Feed storage/feeding area
• Working facility for handling (or portable panels available)

• Dedicated feed bunks/hay feeder
• Dedicated forks, shovels, tools
• Separate medicine/supply kit

Before Animals Arrive

Request from seller:

• Vaccination records
• Treatment records
• Test results (BVD, Johne's, trich, etc. as applicable)
• Source herd contact information

• Ensure water is clean and fresh
• Stock adequate feed/hay
• Prepare observation log
• Assemble quarantine supply kit

Arrival Day Protocol

Receiving New Animals

Initial Assessment:

• Note any obvious problems (lameness, respiratory distress, discharge)
• If severely ill, consider refusing delivery or making an immediate vet call

• Verify animal count and identification
• Review health papers and match to animals
• Photograph each animal if possible

• Do not allow contact with resident cattle
• Handle calmly to reduce stress

• Pour-on dewormer/external parasite treatment
• Vitamin/mineral injection (if stressed)
• Respiratory vaccine (if not already given)
• Clostridial vaccine (if not current)

Daily Quarantine Monitoring

Daily Observation Checklist

Complete every day during quarantine:

Red Flags During Quarantine

Call vet immediately for: Severe respiratory distress, bloody diarrhea, neurological signs, multiple animals ill simultaneously, or sudden death.

Monitor closely for: Occasional cough, mild diarrhea, one animal slightly off feed, or minor lameness.

Testing During Quarantine

Recommended Tests (Discuss with Veterinarian)

Priority tests:

Testing Protocol

Sample collection: Use proper sample handling, submit to an approved laboratory, and maintain chain of custody for regulatory tests.

Results management: File results with animal records, address any positive findings per vet guidance, and note that positive animals may need extended quarantine or removal from the herd.

Treatments During Quarantine

Standard Quarantine Treatments

Week 1:

• Internal parasite treatment (if not treated at source)
• Respiratory vaccine (first dose if needed)
• Clostridial vaccine (if not current)

• Second deworming treatment (if heavy burden or certain products)
• Apply permanent identification (brand, tag)

• Parasite treatment complete
• Any treatments recorded with withdrawal dates
• FEC check if high parasite burden suspected

Treatment Record

Release Criteria

Before Releasing from Quarantine, Verify:

Health status:

• No signs of illness during observation period
• All animals eating and drinking normally
• No fever or respiratory problems
• Body condition stable or improving

• All test results received
• All results negative (or addressed per vet guidance)

• Appropriate waiting periods observed
• Parasite treatment complete
• Any withdrawal periods completed

• Animal IDs verified and recorded
• Health papers filed
• Ready for transfer to permanent records

Release Authorization

Special Situations

Illness During Quarantine

If an animal gets sick during quarantine, isolate it from the other quarantine animals, contact your veterinarian, and treat as directed. Extend the quarantine period for all animals from the same source. Document everything thoroughly and consider testing for specific diseases. If you're dealing with a serious contagious disease, those animals may need to be removed from the herd permanently. BVD-PI positive animals should never be introduced.

Extended Quarantine

Quarantine may need to run longer than planned when test results are pending, initial vaccination history was inadequate, animals came from a high-risk source, or your veterinarian recommends it.

Multiple Arrival Groups

Each group gets its own quarantine timeline. Don't commingle groups until all have cleared quarantine, and handle the oldest quarantine group first each day, with the newest group last.

Equipment and Biosecurity

Quarantine Equipment

Keep dedicated equipment in the quarantine area: feeding equipment, watering equipment, handling tools, and boots/coveralls for use in quarantine only.

Traffic Pattern

Always handle resident cattle FIRST, then move to quarantine animals LAST. Do not return to the main herd after quarantine contact without changing clothes and washing up. Change coveralls if you had heavy contact, and wash hands thoroughly.

Equipment Sanitation

Follow these steps when cleaning quarantine equipment:

• Remove organic material
• Wash with detergent and water
• Rinse thoroughly
• Disinfect with appropriate product
• Allow to dry before use

Quarantine Log Template

Animal Arrival Record

Daily Log Summary

Test Record

Treatment Summary

Release Record

Quick Reference Card

Quarantine Essentials

Don't Release If:

• Less than 21 days in quarantine
• Any sign of illness in past 7 days
• Test results pending or positive
• Treatments incomplete