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Cattle (called cows in vernacular usage, kine archaic, or kye as the Scots plural of cou) are domesticated ungulates, a member of the subfamily Bovinae of the family Bovidae. They are raised as livestock for meat (called beef and veal), dairy products (milk), leather and as draught animals (pulling carts, plows and the like). In some countries, such as India, they are subject to religious ceremonies and respect. It is estimated that there are 1.3 billion head of cattle in the world today *.

Cattle were originally identified by Carolus Linnaeus as three separate species. These were Bos taurus, the European cattle, including similar types from Africa and Asia; Bos indicus, the zebu; and the extinct Bos primigenius, the aurochs. The aurochs is ancestral to both zebu and European cattle. More recently these three have increasingly been grouped as one species, sometimes using the names Bos primigenius taurus, Bos primigenius indicus and Bos primigenius primigenius. Complicating the matter is the ability of cattle to interbreed with other closely related species. Hybrid individuals and even breeds exist, not only between European cattle and zebu but also with yaks, banteng, gaur, and bison, a cross-genera hybrid. For example, genetic testing of the Dwarf Lulu breed, the only humpless "Bos taurus-type" cattle in Nepal, found them to be a mix of European cattle, zebu and yak. Cattle cannot successfully be bred with water buffalo or African buffalo. (See aurochs for the history of domestication, and zebu for peculiarities of that group.)

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Veterinary Medicine

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Oregon State's College of Veterinary Medicine is pleased to host its 22nd annual Pet Day and Open House on May 2. Check it out! <img class="thumb" src="http://oregonstate.edu/enewsletter/images/petday2009.jpg" alt="Pet Day logo" title="College of Veterinary Medicine hosts Pet Day" />
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Cattle Lameness and Treatment of Bovine Foot Disease - Online encyclopedia which provides comprehensive and clear information on the appearance, cause, treatment and control of lameness in the feet of cattle.

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Meta Description: [ Comprehensive guide to information about tick fever and its management, diagnosis and prevention. Includes tick fever vaccines and ordering, diagnostics and advisory services. ]

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Meta Description: [ press release by Abigail Woods on the history of foot and mouth disease in Britain ]

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