Вы находитесь на странице: 1из 20

Black leg Disease

What is Black leg ?


Black leg disease is a term to describe a group of diseases caused by the bacterium Clostridium chauvoei. There are over 60 different Clostridium bacteria, however not all cause disease.

How is it spread ?
Clostridium bacteria are found in the soil virtually every where. In the presence of oxygen the bacteria forms spores that can remain dormant in the soil for years. The spores often emerge after flooding or excavation of the soil. . Cattle become infected by eating spores from infected pasture or grain.

Black Leg usually affects cattle between four months and two years of age. C. chavoei proliferates rapidly and can result in death in 12-48 hours. Infected cattle are often found dead in the pasture without any prior signs of ailment.

Clostridium chauvoei

C chavoi is ingested and may pass through the intestinal wall, once in the muscle tissue it kills the tissue and creates an environment without oxygen allowing it to proliferate, death of the muscle tissue causes the characteristic black appearance of the necrotic tissue, hence the name blackleg.

Blackleg

Treatment
Treatment of C chavoei is rarely successful. Some animals may respond to high doses of antibiotics such as penicillin. However once symptoms are recognized it is usually too late, even if the animal survives it may be to debilitated to fully recover. The best treatment is avoiding it completely by administering vaccines.

Vaccination
All calves should be vaccinated by 4 months of age and will require a booster 3-6 weeks later, with a 7 way Blackleg vaccine which protects against, Clostridium chauvoei, Clostridium septicum, Clostridium novyi Clostridium sordelli, and Clostridium perfringens types C and D. Injections should be subcutaneous or in the neck area to avoid damage to valuable cuts of meat.

References Black Leg. (n.d.). Cattle Diseases. Retrieved May 17, 2012, from http://cattletoday.info Daily, D. R. (n.d.). Stocker Calves: Vaccination Considerations [art]. iGrow Dashboard | SDSU Extension. Retrieved May 17, 2012, from http://igrow.org/livestock/beef/stocker-calves-vaccination-considerations/ Powel, J. (n.d.). Other_Areas/publications/PDF/FSA-3073.pdf. U of A Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service. Retrieved May 17, 2012, from http://www.uaex.edu

Anthrax
Bacillus anthracis

Who or what does it affect ?


Bacillus anthracis exists as a vegetative state(the infective state) or as spores in the environment. Spores have been shown to be viable even after 50 years. Anthrax affects most herbivorous livestock, some wildlife, and humans, carnivorous avians and reptiles are resistant.

Symptoms in Livestock
Convulsions, bleeding from body openings, staggering, lameness, bleeding from body openings, and very high temperature that may reach 107 F. However by the time an animal shows symptoms it is usually too late and the animal will soon die. In fact the most common sign of anthrax in livestock is sudden death.

Highy zoonotic
Suspected livestock should not be cut open for necropsy. Opening of the animals tissue will allow spores to form and infect the soil and surrounding livestock. Dx. Blood tests can confirm Bacillus anthracis. Extreme care should be taken.

Symptoms in Humans
Depends on route of spore ingestion.
Cutaneous when spores enter the skin through a cut or scrape in the skin. ( most common)

Symptoms associated
Itchy blister that may form into a black ulcer that is usually painless. Usually takes longer than 2 weeks to heal. Mortality 20 % Begins with fever, headache, cough, chest pain . Then fever and shock. Mortality 90 % V/D with or without blood, abdominal pain, sores in the mouth. Mortality 25 to 60 %

Inhalation of spores into the lungs. Gastrointestinal by consuming anthrax infected meat.

Cutaneous Bacillus anthracis infection

Bacillus anthracis Life Cycle

Treating

Disposal
It is imperative that an animal suspected of dying from anthrax not be cut open for necropsy as this will allow the growing vegetative state of anthrax to form spores and re infect the soil . Preferred method for disposing of the carcass is by incineration. Another acceptable method is to bury the carcass and cover with quick lime .

Treatment

Вам также может понравиться