Northbound Veterinary Services

07/29/2024

Just an FYI, I will be unavailable starting today until mid-end of this week. One of my kids are currently in surgery (scheduled, nothing horrible), but it will likely be a few days until we get discharged for home. Thank you in advance for the patience. Voicemail will change once I am available again.

07/06/2024

Morning, thought I would give a little update on some things as fair season starts to roll around. Grab a chair, this one might get long.

H5N1 in dairy and poultry still sucks and remains an issue. Multiple tests by several organizations have proven that pasteurization renders the virus dead, meaning the commercial pasteurized dairy product chain is safe.

Several people have been diagnosed with H5N1, likely due to direct exposure to sick animals and raw non-pasteurized milk. At this time, it appears to be mild symptoms like pink eye, so the CDC is still classifying the human risk as a low threat.

Symptoms in cattle remain the same as previously mentioned in other posts. It is still highly pathogenic in avians. However, one big concern is the symptoms developing in cats. There have been a large number of barn cats that have been on known positive dairy herds and flocks that rapidly develop neurological symptoms, and often 50%+ that develop symptoms die. This is likely due to exposure from eating wild birds or drinking non-pasteurized milk. Either way it’s not what anyone wants to see.

As of June 28th there have been 7 positive cattle herds in MN ranging from 5 different counties. This has lead to changes in Exhibition rules in MN as fair season rolls around and other dairy shows continue to figure out how to let these kids still show the animals they all love and care for. Unfortunately, a lot of these shows have canceled or denied entry of animals meeting the lactating label specifications. As it currently stands in MN as of June 18th, until further notice, for animals going to shows (exhibition) in MN:

*Any LACTATING DAIRY BREED animal, even if originating from MN, now needs to have a negative H5N1 test and Veterinary health paper (CVI) done no sooner than 7 days before the exhibition begins.*

https://www.bah.state.mn.us/sites/default/files/documents/Exhibition-Requirements-for-Lactating-Dairy-Cattle.pdf

In other news, the USDA now decided with all the chaos going on why not toss another stick in the flame. They ruled on May 9th, and the MN BAH then had to follow suit, that the type of official ID in CATTLE and BISON only is changing. As of November 5th 2024 the only form of official ID allowed to be placed will have to be both visually and electronically readable (think the 840 button RFID tags). This change is the type of tag only, and currently there is NO CHANGE in what animals need official ID.

**So if it needs a tag now, plan on updating what type of tags you will be required to use.**

This would include but not limited to, animals at exhibition, animals traveling across state lines with a CVI (every state has their own rules on what needs official ID), and animals sold at livestock markets and other sales that would be going out as breeding/show/replacement stock.

Wyoming is currently having a “hold my beer” moment with the USDA, and I’d expect several other states to join in the fight soon. But as it stands now, you may want to contact the MN BAH, and with your premise ID get on the list to get some of the tags that they are offering for free if your herd qualifies. They are significantly more expensive then the metal clip tags or other non-RFID tags (think fair tags) that will no longer be able to be used after November. If it is an old style official ID placed before November 5th those tags are grandfathered in, so no you will not have to cut tags out and start over or place another tag.

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MNBAH/bulletins/3a65242

As always: Here’s to a happy, safe, and successful show season! And maybe, just possibly, a government that can slow its roll just a bit and try to focus on us here at home, and not making the wants and needs of the international markets a priority. Take care until next time!

06/06/2024

First H5N1 positive dairy in MN. Read the attached report if interested. No changes to current regulations. Contact me if questions or concerns.

Press release: Amid uptick in poultry detections, Minnesota reports first case of avian influenza in a dairy herd Minnesota Board of Animal Health sent this bulletin at 06/06/2024 10:01 AM CDT Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page. ---Press Release--- For Immediate Release Contact...

04/27/2024

Another update on H5N1 - I’ve been fielding A LOT of questions on this in the last 24hrs and honestly what I’m saying now could be different tomorrow. As it currently stands:

Too Long Didn’t Read: changes happening involving movement of dairy cattle. If it doesn’t mean anything to you don’t waste your time on this post.

Effective Monday April 29th 2024

- LACTATING DAIRY BREED cattle that are currently producing milk of any volume that originate from MN can move within MN as they always have.

-LACTATING DAIRY BREED cattle that are currently producing milk of any volume that originate from ANY other state coming to MN, or if from MN and moving to ANY other state, a CVI (Health Paper) must be issued. Depending on the type of movement, a negative test via individual animal milk sample (not bulk tank) that has to be collected by an accredited veterinarian and sent to an accredited Veterinary Lab may be required. The collection and testing cannot occur any more than 7 days before movement and one should expect results 1-5 days after collection. The USDA is paying for the testing only (direct lab charges). Veterinary services to collect samples and shipping will not be covered at this time.

-LACTATING DAIRY BREED cattle from MN can be sold directly to MN packing plants with no CVI or testing. If sold to a livestock market (sale barn) in the same state as the animal origin no CVI or additional testing is needed. From there if the animal will move across state lines from the livestock market, a CVI will be required and possibly testing depending on reason for movement. If the animal will NOT move across state lines after purchase from the livestock market normal steps are in place.

-LACTATING DAIRY BREED cattle not from MN can be sold to MN packing plants directly from farm to plant with a CVI only. If sold to a livestock market NOT in the same state as the animal origin location a CVI & NEGATIVE test will be required to sell at the livestock market. Testing will follow animal to final destination and new CVIs need to be made depending on where the animal is going.

-This DOES NOT apply to DAIRY BREED youngstock, pregnant heifers, steers, bulls, or DRY cows. This DOES NOT apply to BEEF BREED cattle. All previous movement requirements for these animal classes remain as they have been.
-“DRY DAIRY BREED” cows is currently a gray zone and all should expect more info to come - most would like to believe that a cull cow leaving the herd for market regardless of lactation status is now DRY as they are no longer milked….some say “yay” some say “nay” as they are still producing milk of some volume that could contain the virus- I have no desire to milk each DAIRY BREED cow at the sale barn to find out. So before licking lips to find loop holes please wait for this to be discussed further.

Why all the focus on LACTATING DAIRY BREED cows. It is what is currently being focused on to ensure the safety of our local, national, and overseas dairy products. At any moment this could all change for the better or unfortunately for the worse. I’m not going to lie, this is a giant turd sandwich of a mess on federal, state and local levels and it is constantly changing. Hell it’s changed 3 times since noon today. However we have a lot of great minds working together from the producer level all the way up to big brains that might not even know what a LaCtAtInG dAiRy BrEeD cow looks like or that even understand that dairy cows also move to our beef supply. Only time will tell, and we will make it to the other side.

Until next time: Honestly I have nothing witty to say so I’m just going to go to sleep before Jack and Jill call with another OB or prolapse up on the pasture hill, or my USDA or MN BAH reps read this and tell me I’m completely wrong as it changed again.

04/24/2024

Another new update as of today, this one more grim unfortunately.

The USDA issued today that any interstate movement of DAIRY cattle as of April 29th can only happen with a negative test for Influenza Type A prior to movement.

The dairy cattle from Kansas testing has showed a shift of H5N1 in the ability to adapt to mammals. The CDC has conducted additional testing and they as well as the FDA still feel the risk to the general public is very low and food supply is safe.

Infected cattle continue to respond with supportive care with minimal mortalities (death) reported. I will be contacting my USDA rep to discuss details regarding animal movement between markets and more general information. If there are questions please reach out and I will answer as best that I can.

Below is the USDA posting

WASHINGTON, April 24, 2024 – To further protect the U.S. livestock industry from the threat posed by highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza, USDA is sharing a number of actions that we are taking with our federal partners to help us get ahead of this disease and limit its spread. Today, USDA’s A...

04/20/2024

Avian Influenza (Type A H5N1):
Update- 20 states have implemented DAIRY cattle travel restrictions into their states (MN currently not included but SD neighbors have) as of April 18th. This does not include BEEF cattle or other livestock at the moment.

In SD currently adult dairy cattle (18 months+) can potentially still move after receiving a permit and CVI (Veterinary Health Paper) as normal. However if they are coming from a known H5N1 positive herd a risk assessment must be performed before those animals can move.

This comes on the heels of finding H5N1 in a SD dairy on April 9th. Calves were moved from a known H5N1 positive herd in Kansas to the dairy in SD. This could possibly imply bovine to bovine transfer, however, officials are still not sure if this occurred or if there was environmental avian transfer from infected avian exposure.

At this point in confirmed dairy herds, we are not seeing high mortality rates (cattle dying) or morbidity rates (cattle showing symptoms) when compared to infected avian systems. Dairy cattle have severe drops in milk production, loss of appetite, and the milk can appear thick and sticky. Isolated animals return to normal within a week or two with supportive care. In the SD herd, 50 of the 2,700 cows were showing symptoms of possible H5N1 at time of report.

Currently the USDA and APHIS strongly recommend minimizing CATTLE movement as much as possible but there are no federal quarantine orders at this time and states are allowed to address as seen fit.

On April 7th the AABP (American Association of Bovine Practitioners) issued that they are wanting to refer to H5N1 as BIAV (Bovine Influenza type A Virus) in order “to better distinguish the disease syndrome in cattle from the pathogenesis observed in birds”. This name change may or may not stick so just keep that name in the memory bank if you are researching.

In addition there still appears to be no risk to our food chain as long as you cook your food properly and do not consume raw products (milk, cheese, eggs, and others). If you so choose to eat raw products do so at your own risk, but please be smart and do not use if animals are showing symptoms of H5N1 or any other sickness for your sake and the ones that you are feeding it to that don’t have a choice.

Below is a a link from the AVMA:

In an effort to prevent domestic cattle from being exposed to highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAI, more specifically avian influenza Type A H5N1), 20 states have restricted cattle importations from states where the virus is known to have infected dairy cows.

03/25/2024

So there has been some crossover with the avian influenza virus into ruminants. One was a goat kid from Stevens County, MN and another was just confirmed from milk from dairy cattle from Kansas and Texas. This same virus has been causing devastation in offspring of seals, elephant seals, and other aquatic mammals in South America.

It is not uncommon for influenza viruses to mutate and cross into other species, however due to the highly pathogenic nature and the total “sh*t show” (should probably be more politically correct but let’s call a spade a spade am I right) this has caused in the poultry world, this virus is being monitored very closely.

The goat kid was from a farm that was already quarantined due to an influenza outbreak in poultry in February. The dairy cattle were dealing with symptoms of decreased milk production but do not appear to have any direct links with known positive flocks.

It does not appear that the virus can spread mammal to mammal as it does currently between bird to bird. The virus is likely getting into ruminants and other species that share environments with either infected domestic or wild avians (water, feed, f***s, or other fomites).

At this point there is no threat to commerce or human health as the virus should be destroyed via pasteurization. People who drink and sell raw milk need to be aware of the risk, but they already know that because of other pathogens that can possibly cause problems. Also, producers should do as they always have done, and make sure to protect their own herds and flocks by doing their best to limit disease transmission and be aware of current risks.

I will be monitoring this as the MN Board of Animal Health and USDA release information and will update as needed. With the announcement of it being in dairy cattle milk I just wanted to get the word out before anti-agriculture messages start flying in like a massive flock of infectious Canadian Honkers. Links below are for those looking for more info. Take care out there, the roads are getting slicker!

Dairy Cattle MN BAH link
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MNBAH/bulletins/3929206

Goat MN BAH Link
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MNBAH/bulletins/3917b59

More info on the elephant seal issues if curious
https://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/news/catastrophic-mortality-elephant-seals-argentina-identified-outbreak-avian-influenza

Veterinary Alert: HPAI detection in Texas dairy cows Minnesota Board of Animal Health sent this bulletin at 03/25/2024 04:29 PM CDT Veterinary Alert HPAI detected in dairy herds The USDA confirmed the detection of HPAI in milk from dairy herds in Kansas and Texas. Testing occurred in herds clinicall...

03/09/2024

Just a shout out about a crafty producer I worked with a few weeks ago. I was scheduled to go out to ultrasound a flock of sheep and they asked prior to arrival, “How should we set up for it?” All I said was to set something up so that I can reach underneath the ewes on their right side, but if you build something, build it so that it makes your life easier for trimming feet and routine work to make your aching back happy. Well I got permission from the client to post this, Dusty Tchida….you done good! Only thing we talked about changing was adding a 2x6 to the top or a few 2x4s as we had some jumpers. He built it from scraps he said he had laying around. So I thought maybe others are clever like him and may be looking for ideas.

02/27/2024

If you’re looking for bulls this year. Great family and great animals, definitely worth the look if you are in the market.

Read 2024 Great Northern Bull & Female Sale Catalog by heritagecattleco on Issuu and browse thousands of other publications on our platform. Start ...

02/10/2024

I was able to slip away over the last few days for the annual MVMA (MN Vet Med Association) confernce to catch up on some continuing education. It also has given me some time to sit down and just think about how lucky I really am.

I have an amazing wife that really is an angel sent from above. Two amazing kids that keep us on the go non-stop, and I’m told they are decent little human beings (some days I think I’m being lied to). Being that both my wife and I are from the Ogilvie area, we have an amazing extended family system all close by that make our hectic schedules somehow flow. And importantly, a community that has embraced my crazy little business that just keeps growing.

Many of you know that two years ago I took a chance, went on my own, and started Northbound Veterinary Services. To say I was nervous would be a major understatement. However, like I said above, I really am one lucky guy. All the producers and animal owners out there that tolerate me on a day to day basis to aid in the health decisions of their animals, man I really appreciate all of you. Without you, I couldn’t do what I have a passion for.

Honestly though, learning to run a business has been amazing. I never expected how all the different businesses just fit together like puzzle pieces. So to all the people that deal with me on a day to day basis that really could care less about what I know about animal health, man I appreciate what all of you do as well.

So here I am, no plans to go anywhere and proud to be a part of this community for the foreseeable future. I still just work out of my house and truck. For me, I was taught that the most important call of the day is the one I’m at. So I will always give you and your animals the attention they deserve during your appointment, but when you see me parked at the end of your driveway for some time returning phone calls, just remember that someday you will be that person waiting for me to call you back. I’m still just a one man band, and my focus has been and will hopefully always be livestock as long as there are livestock to work on in this area. However, what I need to know is what would all of you like to see from me in the future? Feel free to message or contact me directly, or comment below and start the discussion.

Growth is awesome and terrifying all at the same time. It’s easy to say hire more vets, hire support staff, put up a clinic…but is that realistic in this day and age as agriculture has steadily declined in central MN and the grand majority of the good ‘ol USA as well?

I apologize this got lengthy, but if you made it this far let’s just finish this up like always: here’s to angry mama cows that damn it doc she raises one hell of a calf every year, and farm wives that just love slimy frozen calves in their bathtubs!

And once again Thank You for everything!

01/28/2024

Just a notice for all the sheep and goat producers out there. There is a new lamb and kid powdered colostrum available that I hope will be much better than some of the multi-species supplements currently on the market. It is whole bovine based colostrum powder with no plant or other animal fat sources.

If you have questions please let me know. I do carry the product, but so do many other sources so it can be picked up wherever your heart desires. Good thing to have on hand if mom does not make enough, or is unable to feed babies in the first few hours. Colostrum is the most important thing any baby can receive to get it going on the right path. The dams fresh colostrum is always the best but this is a tool to help.

01/20/2024

I would like to take a moment to thank the Snake River Valley Cattlemen's Association for having me out Thursday night for a great meeting and having a great turnout on their end. It was wonderful to see so many producers show up and ask some awesome questions. Also, it was nice to be a fly on the wall at the end of the night and get to listen to some of the great things this organization has planned for the future. If you are from the central MN area and new to livestock or have been doing it for years but have a desire to improve or help this region improve, I’d strongly recommend checking them out.

As always: keep those water tanks from freezing solid, and start double checking those calving/lambing/kidding kits to make sure you are ready to go…it’s already on for some!

01/13/2024

This is Dr. Dan’s wife and I just wanted to wish him a very Happy Birthday! He works so hard for this family and has such a passion for large animal veterinary medicine. He just reached a huge milestone in his practice of two years! Can’t wait to see what you do in the future! Make sure you wish the very special, Dr. Dan, a Happy Birthday today!

12/25/2023

Merry Christmas and Happy New Years from my family to yours! Hope everyone has a safe and relaxing Holiday season! Enjoy the beautiful whi….green grass and rain?

09/03/2023

When riding upon a steer with horns, please keep all feet in contact with the ground at all times. Thank you and enjoy the ride.

So many have been ask, an our patient saw the doc last night is resting comfortably! This is why we have an amazing vet Dr Dan Peterson of Northbound Veterinary Services, on stand by at every performance for our animal athletes. Django is planned to make an appearance to say hi but will not be performing tonight.

07/26/2023

It’s fair season, get out there and support those kids! Isanti was last week and it sounds like they crushed it! Kanabec is this week and it will be holy sweat fest. Pine and Benton next week, followed by Mille Lacs the week after that. Wishing all the kids and animals in the area good luck, and to all the parents and volunteers, nobody could make it happen without you!

Like always: Bring on the pork chops and corn, and please everyone and every animal stay hydrated this week, beer garden attendees included!

06/27/2023

I will be out of the office now till Sunday July 2nd. You can still text, call, or email me if you have questions, but I will be much slower to respond. Everything will be back to normalcy come Monday July 3rd. All livestock must behave themselves for six entire days!

05/20/2023

I haven’t made a post lately and that is because all of you have kept me on my toes from dawn to dusk the last few months, and I greatly appreciate the business! However, this weekend I stepped away from being a vet for a few days to celebrate one amazing person in my life, and that is my beautiful 9 year old Lena Jo. As many of you know, she was diagnosed several years ago with type 1 diabetes and her strength and kick butt attitude make me one proud father. This morning we had her yearly JDRF One Walk for Type 1 Diabetes down at the Vikings training facilities. Thousands of people from all over the country show up and show support for these warriors, and it is an amazing thing to see and be a part of. So even though I’ve had to let a few clients down this weekend because I was not available, know this little girl thanks you all for keeping me going and your continuous support!

As always: Enjoy the sight of young livestock on green grass as they buck and play, and be safe IDing them as mama breaths down your back!

03/13/2023

Paisley's just checking in to see if you got your catalog for the Great Northern Bull & Female Sale! If you have not received your catalog, please let us know and we will get one in the mail to you.

Videos are now available at: https://youtube.com/-lk8ih.

02/28/2023

Another day, another Dr. Dan rant. Anyone that is having farm babies hitting the ground right now I challenge you to do 2 things.

1) Read my last post about the birthing process and colostrum!
2) Buy some thermometers!

Grab a $20 from the secret shoe box, or tell you're spouse or yourself that today there is no meal deal or special coffee. Go to you local Dollar Store (there is one by you, it seems like they are everywhere now, more common than daisy's) and get some simple thermometers. I bet you can get 3-4 of them. They don't need to be fancy, for crying out loud you are going to stick them up a butt. They don't need to read from -20 to 700 and tell you what tomorrows weather will be like.

I have had several calls the last few weeks for weak, listless day old 'Insert farm baby type'. Doc they gotta be short on minerals? Doc there has got to be some sort of disease going though the group? Doc I heard that when the moon and the the 3rd star in the big dipper handle have lined up...?

Docs normal response is, "Well yes, sure all of those are possible, but right now it is because your 'Insert farm baby type' is 87F and likely has not had anything warm in its belly. At this point we need to do our best to get it warmed up, and once it is in a normal temperature range get it colostrum and then hope that the hypothermia hasn't damaged too much of its internal organs. After you get done with that, give me a call and we can talk about how you are feeding the dams and go over disease control methods".

I will be honest with all of you, 90%+ of the time you all have done an amazing job with nutrition, minerals, and disease prevention. However, that calf just came out of a 103F Hawaii Vrbo and landed in a 3F or less Minnesota calving nightmare while still soaking wet from snorkeling. Sure its a calf, mom will do her job....right. Most of the time yes, but what if she has to work to get a twin out? Or just realized she's really thirsty or hungry? Or like many first timers just looks back and stares wondering "what the heck just came out of me?" Or gets distracted looking at how the moon and 3rd star from....you get the point.

If it is cold and that calf does not get up to fill its belly with something warm (preferably colostrum) and get dried off by moms rough tongue....baby gets cold very very quickly. Even if baby is in a bed of straw, they have such a small body mass and will lose heat quickly. Know the normal temp of your 'insert farm baby type' and take its temp if you are concerned. If the thermometer you bought states that it only displays LOW if less than 90F....that thermometer did a great job of letting you know you need to warm baby up. If the thermometer indicates less than what the normal temp is suppose to be...warm baby up.

During the warming process use that new p**p covered thermometer to monitor babies temperature. Babies are like porridge, too hot or too cold and Goldy doesn't like it. Cold babies also don't like to be dunked in hot water....and even though they were snorkeling a bit ago, they have now lost that equipment. Don't tube colostrum into a cold baby unless it is close to a normal temp, standing, and will aggressively suckle on your fingers. But doc if I warm it up from the inside...nope don't make me use fancy words like esophageal groves, abomasal atony, Costridium overgrowth, please just get them warm first then feed them.

Also please keep the warming areas clean and dip the navels while babies are there. If babies are with mom it is my opinion that dipping navels doesn't do a lot besides keep moms mouth clean, because if she is a good mom she is just going to lick it off right away anyways. Now if baby is cold, listless, and down that is the perfect recipe for things to get up the navel...please dip away.

Until next time: Please don't yell at your partner if you go to take a shower and find a slimy dirty calf there, it has had a much worse day than you so far.

02/10/2023

Calves, lambs, and kids oh my! It is that time of year already, where I switch from pregnancy detection and herd health care to the joys of everything that can go wrong with mom. This can be a very exciting time of year, but can quickly become a time of stress especially when you have to get me involved with an obstetrical problem. There are a lot of things that can go wrong, but remember most of the time things go as planned. Always be observant, but remember - Mom needs time too! The more you stare and the more you distract her, the longer everything will take. So be observant, but know how to do so without disrupting the process.

I've said it before, but just as a reminder, once mom starts the birthing process you as producers need to watch and make sure things are progressing. I always tell people that once you see the process starting, something needs to be changing every 15-30 minutes. Maybe you will first see a water bag or feet, but then you should start to see more as time goes by (more leg, a nose, maybe a tail). First time moms are usually slower, but there still needs to be progression after 15-30 minutes.

Now if you see no feet and only a tail or head, or only one leg sticking out, don't wait 15 minutes, that newborn needs help ASAP. Get a bucket with some warm water and dish soap in it, clean your hands/arms and moms back end, put some gloves on if you have them, and reach in and feel whats going on. At that point if it is beyond what you can do, call for help. Remember what is normal for your type of critter. Calves, lambs, and kids normally come out both front feet first followed by the head just like a diver going into a pool.

However it is still considered a "normal" birth if they come out backwards, meaning both hind feet first then the butt. If coming backwards, I still recommend being ready to help as the umbilical cord breaks sooner, and the moment that breaks that baby needs to start breathing air, or it fills up its lungs with what ever is around it.

Alright babies on the ground, mom is licking it, everything seems great! Ha, your job is only partially done as the producer. The second most important thing for that baby besides clear lungs bringing in air after seeing the world for the first time is COLOSTRUM!!!! Everyone needs to have or know where they can quickly get a colostrum replacer or supplement depending on the situation.

Mom has put everything that she can into that baby (Minerals, Fat, hopefully a brain) to help it survive for the first week of life, but she didn't deliver it with a belly full of warm colostrum. That baby needs to get up and do that job, and hopefully you as the producer made sure that mom has milk and that milk can come out. Now do I expect you to tackle an 1800lb protective pissed-off Pinzgauer? If you do, please make sure you have a buddy that has their phone out to record it and 911 dialed up and ready to go. In reality, you can make sure baby has milk dripping from its chin. If not, get that friendly critter somewhere that you can get hands on to make sure baby can do its job. Now a ewe or doe please just check, sure they can be mean but I'm sure you can be as well for a short period to make sure babies can eat, right?

If mom has no milk, or baby does not nurse within 1-2 hours, it is plain and simple...feed them. Below is a handy image that was provided to me by another party (thanks MWI!). Sure it is a cow/calf protocol, but I feel you can replace the word and pictures with sheep and goats if needed, and get as much IgG into them as possible as well. Do you have a clean bottle with actual functioning bottle ni***es that are not cracked/cut/broken that will not drown baby? Do you have an esophageal (tube) feeder and trust your self to use it?

For those of you that got to this point and haven't wanted to push me off my soap box, thank you. I apologize for how long this got, but by making sure mom has the baby and that baby gets the right amount of colostrum things just flow from that point. Healthier animals are better for everyone, so lets start 'em out right.

Until next time: Keep the OB gear clean, and the birthing areas even cleaner (another rant of mine, but I will save you from it...today anyways)!