Angel Abuelo
Red Cedar Distinguished Professor & Dairy Extension Veterinarian Michigan State University
- East Lansing MI
Angel Abuelo is researching ways to improve immunity in dairy cattle and calves, reducing the need for antibiotics and antimicrobials
Media
Biography
Beyond his research he maintains close interaction with the dairy industry through MSU Extension. As part of that work, he is involved with a joint USDA project with Cornell and Wisconsin Veterinary Colleges to alleviate the shortage of rural veterinarians in the US by increasing awareness of rural practice among DVM students and providing continuing education to early-career veterinarians working in veterinary under-served areas.
Industry Expertise
Areas of Expertise
News
New USDA grant supports MSU researcher studying prevention of dairy cow diseases after calving
MSU Today online
2022-02-17
Angel Abuelo, an assistant professor in the Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM), has received a $642,000 grant to develop diagnostic tools that predict major illnesses during dairy cows’ transition from late gestation to early lactation.
The grant is funded by the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
Roughly 75% of diseases in adult dairy cows occur in the first month after calving, with two of the most devastating being mastitis — a bacterial infection of the udder — and metritis, a bacterial infection of the uterus. These ailments can cause a deterioration in reproductive performance, lower milk production, lameness and in severe cases, result in death. Mastitis alone costs U.S. dairy producers an estimated $2 billion annually.
New grant aims to help dairy calves and farmers
MSU Today online
2018-09-13
Michigan State University researcher Ángel Abuelo, an assistant professor of cattle health and wellbeing in the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine, has been awarded a four-year, $500,000 grant for his work with dairy calves.
The study, which is focused on decreasing the use of antimicrobials on dairy farms, while increasing farm profitability, is funded through the United States Department of Agriculture, the National Institute of Food and Agriculture and the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative.
The average mortality rate for dairy calves in the U.S. fluctuates between six and 10 percent. Most of those deaths occur during the first 60 days of life and 80 percent are due to infectious diseases. Because the immune systems of young calves aren’t fully developed, vaccinations aren’t effective. As a result, antimicrobials are used to fight off these infections, but this practice may be harmful as well.
Journal Articles
Understanding barriers to veterinary involvement in dairy calf health management
FrontiersKristen Edwards, Angel Abuelo, Stephen LeBlanc, Trevor James DeVries, Michael Steele, Joao HC Costa, David L Renaud
2025-01-31
The objectives of this cross-sectional study were to identify barriers to veterinary involvement in calf health and assess knowledge gaps in calf care among American and Canadian bovine veterinarians.
Hypomagnesemia in Dairy and Beef Cattle
ResearchGateAngel Abuelo
2025-01-06
Hypomagnesemia is caused by a low-dietary
intake of magnesium. It is characterized by hypomagnesemia (plasma total magnesium
[tMg] < 0.65 mm and cerebrospinal fluid
tMg < 0.4 mm). The clinical signs include hyperexcitability, muscular spasms, seizures, respiratory distress, collapse, and death.
Hypocalcemia in Dairy Cattle
Encyclopedia of Livestock Medicine for Large Animal and Poultry ProductionAngel Abuelo
2024-11-06
Hypocalcemia, or low blood calcium, is a significant metabolic disorder in dairy cattle, manifesting as clinical (milk fever) or subclinical forms. Clinical hypocalcemia presents as a recumbent cow shortly after calving, while subclinical hypocalcemia shows low blood calcium levels without clinical signs. The incidence of clinical hypocalcemia varies greatly (0–83%), influenced by factors like cow comfort and nutritional management.
