Common Animal Diseases

Objectives

  • To identify the ways of preventing diseases.
  • To investigate symptoms, prevention, and treatment of common animal diseases.
  • To learn to diagnose common animal diseases.

Introduction to Disease

  • Disease:
    • Is a disorder or incorrect function of an organ, structure, or system of an animal's body.
    • Is transmitted from infected animals to susceptible animals through the following methods:
      • Direct contact
      • Indirect contact
      • Droplet contact
      • Airborne transmission
      • Fecal-oral transmission
      • Vector-borne transmission

Direct Contact

  • Occurs when an infected animal has direct contact with a susceptible animal.
  • Examples include:
    • Touching an infected animal
    • Sexual contact
    • Contact with oral secretions
    • Contact with body lesions

Indirect Contact

  • Occurs when an animal comes in contact with a contaminated surface.
  • Examples include:
    • Sharing feed or water bowls with infected animals
    • Touching other contaminated surfaces

Droplet Contact

  • Occurs when droplets containing microorganisms come in contact with the eyes, nose, or mouth.
  • Examples include:
    • Infected animals coughing or sneezing onto susceptible animals

Airborne Transmission

  • Occurs when droplets are evaporated or dust particles which contain microorganisms are in the air.
  • Examples include:
    • Animals ingesting or breathing in microorganisms into their respiratory tract.

Fecal-Oral Transmission

  • Occurs when microorganisms enter the body through ingestion of contaminated food or water.
  • Examples include:
    • Animals eating contaminated food or water.

Vector-Borne Transmission

  • Occurs when vectors, animals, or insects, transfer the disease to other susceptible animals.
  • Examples include:
    • Flies, mites, and ticks transfer disease through biting susceptible animals.
    • Rats spread disease through feces which are then accidentally ingested by susceptible animals.

Zoonotic Diseases

  • Can be passed between animals and humans.
  • Can be caused by viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi.
  • Are transmitted by coming in contact with body fluids, being bitten by a tick or mosquito, or eating or drinking something unsafe.

Immunity

  • Is an animal’s ability to protect and defend their body from infection, disease, or other unwanted or foreign organisms and objects.
  • Includes the following processes:
    • Passive immunity
    • Active immunity
Passive Immunity
  • Occurs through the introduction of antibodies from outside the body to fight an infection or disease
    • colostrum is a source of antibodies
  • Is short term and not permanent
Active Immunity
  • Is an immunity in which the animal’s body produces its own antibodies to fight off infection or disease.
  • Is long term and permanent.

Disease Causes

  • Can be caused by the following:
    • Nutrient deficiencies
    • Pathogens
    • Genetics

Nutrient Deficiencies

  • Result from under consumption of key nutrients.
  • Can affect the internal processes of animals.
  • Lower an animal’s immune system and increase chances of illness.
Nutritional Requirements
  • Depend on an animal’s age and function.
  • Allow animals to receive a well-balanced diet.
  • Include:
    • vitamins
    • fats
    • carbohydrates
    • protein
    • minerals

Pathogens

  • Are any organism causing a disease.
  • Can be microscopic or macroscopic
    • Microscopic is defined as an organism too small to be seen by the unaided eye, but large enough to be studied under a microscope.
    • Macroscopic is defined as an organism large enough to be perceived or examined by the unaided eye such as a worm or tick.
  • Are classified as follows:
    • Viruses
    • Bacteria
    • Parasites
    • Fungi
    • Protozoa
Viruses
  • Cannot reproduce without a host.
  • Consist of DNA and RNA.
  • Can take over the functions of the host cell.
Bacteria
  • Are single celled organisms.
  • May produce toxins harmful to the body.
  • Multiply rapidly without a host.
  • Can be identified by shape.
Bacteria Shapes
  • Include:
    • Cocci: spherical-shaped
    • Bacilli: rod-shaped
    • Spirilli: spiral-shaped
Parasites
  • Can be external or internal.
  • Effect host animals through contact or ingestion.
  • Have various life cycles.
  • Are living organisms.
Fungi
  • Studies are known as mycology
    • Mycology is defined as the study of the characteristics of fungi.
  • Live in air, soil, plants and water.
  • Produce transmittable spores which can cause fungal diseases.
Protozoa
  • Is Greek for first animal.
  • Is a single-celled organism.
  • Breath, move and reproduce similar to multi-cellular animals.
  • Can be classified into many different types.

Genetics

  • Is the study of heredity, which is a process where parents pass genes onto their offspring.
  • Causes parents to pass DNA mutations to their offspring which often leads to transmission of disease.

Prevention

  • Starts with proper management and care.
  • Reduces chance of disease.
  • Results in a healthy animal.
Proper Management
  • Allows producers to prevent causes, prevent symptoms and treat diseases.
  • Involves the following techniques:
    • Providing shelter
    • Cleaning and sanitizing facilities and equipment
    • Rationing adequate diets
    • Monitoring herd health daily
    • Isolating new animals before introduction to the herd

Signs of Healthy Animals

  • Include the following:
    • Alertness
    • Normal feces and urine
    • Normal vital signs
    • Sleek coat
    • Eating and drinking normally

Signs of Unhealthy Animals

  • Include the following:
    • Lethargic
    • Rough hair coat
    • Dull eyes
    • Abnormal feces or urine
    • Elevated vital signs
    • Labored breathing or coughing
    • Loss of appetite
    • Runny nose
    • Swelling

Vital Signs

  • Refers to the temperature, respiration rate, and pulse of the body.
  • Provide critical information about an animal’s state of health and can be used to not only detect but also monitor medical issues, such as diseases.
Temperature
  • Is defined as the degree of heat of a living body.
  • Is considered a fever when it is elevated or above normal or considered hypothermic when it is below normal.
  • Is measured in degrees Fahrenheit in the U.S.
Respiration
  • Is the act of breathing and is determined through the following examinations:
    • Rate: number of inspirations per minute
    • Depth: intensity or indication of strain
    • Rhythm: change in duration of inspiration and expiration
    • Sound: absence of noise
    • Dyspnea: labored breathing
Pulse Rate
  • Is the measurement of the heart rate or the number of times the heart beats per minute.
  • Is determined through the following examinations:
    • Frequency: number of beats per minute
    • Rhythm: regular repeated pattern of beats
    • Quality: tension on the arterial wall and volume of blood flow

Animal Body Systems

  • Are complex structures made up of millions of cells.
  • Each work together to carry out a special job.
  • Are highly affected by pathogens which disrupt normal cell functions while sometimes resulting in killing cells and tissues.
  • Include:
    • Circulatory
    • Respiratory
    • Digestive
    • Endocrine
    • Immune
    • Integumentary
    • Nervous
    • Skeletal
    • Reproductive
Circulatory System
  • Is designed to pump and deliver blood to the body’s tissues.
  • Is made up of the heart, arteries, veins and blood.
  • Is affected through disease by changes to blood levels, abnormal heart sounds and beats, fluid around the heart and anemia.
Respiratory System
  • Is made up of the nose, mouth, trachea, bronchi and lungs.
  • Provides the body with the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide.
  • Is affected by disease through coughing, damage to the lungs and labored breathing.
Digestive System
  • Breaks down food into simple substances which can be absorbed by the body.
  • Absorbs digested parts of food into the blood stream.
  • Is affected by disease through diarrhea, weight loss, intestinal damage and poor appetite.
  • Includes four basic types of systems:
    • Monogastric (simple)
    • Ruminant (polygastric)
    • Hindgut-fermenter
    • Avian
Monogastric Digestive System
  • Contains a single-chambered stomach.
  • Stomach is very muscular and stores ingested food and moves it into the small intestine.
  • Is found in humans, swine, dogs and cats.
Ruminant Digestive System
  • Also known as polygastric.
  • Contains one large stomach which is divided into four compartments including:
    • Rumen
    • Reticulum
    • Omasum
    • Abomasum
  • Is found in cattle, sheep and goats.
Hindgut-Fermenter Digestive System
  • Is found in animals who eat large amounts of roughage.
  • Is similar to ruminants, however does not have stomachs with several compartments.
  • Is found in horses, rabbits, guinea pigs and hamsters.
Avian Digestive System
  • Highly differs from the previous digestive systems because the bird has no teeth.
  • Is made up of the esophagus which empties directly into the crop, where the food is stored and then grinded by the gizzard with stones or grit.
  • Is a very fast process.
Endocrine System
  • Produces hormones which regulate metabolism, growth and development, tissue and sexual function, reproduction, sleep and mood.
  • Is made up of the pituitary gland, thyroid gland, parathyroid glands, adrenal glands, pancreas, ovaries and testicles.
  • Is affected by disease through poorly developed or swollen glands.
Immune System
  • Defends the body against infectious organisms and other invaders.
  • Attacks organisms and substances which invade an animal’s system and causes diseases.
  • Is made up of lymph nodes, cells, proteins, tissues and organs.
  • Is affected by disease through reduced immune response.
Integumentary System
  • Protects the animal’s body from disease by providing a barrier to viruses and bacteria.
  • Protects the body from dehydration, overheating, or freezing.
  • Is affected by disease through irritation, itching, scratching, rough hair coat, hair falling out, crusty skin and lesions.
  • Is the largest organ in the body and includes the following:
    • Hair
    • Feathers
    • Scales
    • Nails
    • Hooves
    • Horns
    • Skin
Nervous System
  • Transmits signals to different parts of the animal’s body and operates basic body functions like breathing and digestion.
  • Is affected by disease through poor coordination, tremors, convulsions and changes to behavior.
  • Includes:
    • Central nervous system which is the brain and spinal cord.
    • Peripheral nervous system which is made up of the nerves and ganglia.
Skeletal System
  • Protects and supports the body tissues and internal organs.
  • Is made up of bones and other connective tissues.
  • Is affected by disease through poor growth, muscle weakness, stiffness, lameness and muscle tremors.
Reproductive System
  • Is a system of sex organs within animals which work together for the purpose of sexual reproduction.
  • Is affected by disease through lowered fertility rates, lactation problems and reproductive unsoundness.
Female anatomy includes:
  • Ovaries
  • Uterus
  • Vagina
  • Vulva
  • Udder
Male anatomy includes:
  • Penis
  • Testes

Nutritional Diseases

Common Nutritional Diseases

  • Include the following:
    • Grass tetany
    • Bloat
    • Colic
    • Enterotoxemia (overeating disease)
    • Lactic acidosis
    • Milk fever
    • White muscle disease
    • Hardware disease
Grass Tetany
  • Is a serious and often fatal metabolic disorder caused by low levels of magnesium in the blood.
  • Is also called “Grass Staggers” or “Wheat Pasture Poisoning”.
  • Primarily affects cattle and sheep
    • Magnesium is an important electrolyte needed for proper muscle, nerve and enzyme function.
  • Symptoms include:
    • Uncoordinated gait
    • Convulsions
    • Coma
    • Death
  • Treatment includes:
    • Restoring blood magnesium levels through the following methods:
      • Adding magnesium oxide powder onto feed or pasture
      • Magnesium lick blocks, concentrates or pellets
      • Veterinary administration of an intravenous calcium and magnesium solution
  • Prevention includes:
    • Avoiding grazing animals on immature grass
    • Providing a magnesium supplement
Bloat
  • Can occur in all ruminants.
  • Refers to rapid fermentation, producing excess gas or foam in the rumen
    • Fermentation is the breakdown of carbohydrates by enzymes.
  • Is caused by consuming highly concentrated rations and lush legume pastures.
  • Symptoms include:
    • Abdominal distention on left side
    • Loss of appetite
    • Respiratory distress
    • Difficulty walking or moving
  • Treatment includes:
    • Keeping animal on feet and moving
    • Drenching with mineral oil or poloxalene
    • Putting stomach tube down throat to relieve pressure from gas
  • Prevention includes:
    • Feeding dry roughage with a mix of grasses
    • Keeping animals from eating an excess of lush green grass, especially alfalfa
Colic
  • Is the general term referring to abdominal pain.
  • Mainly impacts horses because they are unable to vomit.
  • Is caused by a wide range of conditions affecting the digestive tract, including:
    • Sudden changes in feed
    • A predominantly concentrate diet
    • Cribbing
    • Lack of water
    • Presence of bloodworms
  • Symptoms include:
    • Distended abdomen
    • Rolling and kicking
    • Excruciating pain
    • Sweating
    • Constipation
  • Can result in a twisted intestine.
  • Treatment includes:
    • Walking the horse
    • Administering Banamine
    • Taking to veterinarian
      • animal might need sedatives, laxatives, pain medicine or surgery
  • Can be prevented by:
    • Feeding small rations
    • Feeding good quality roughages
    • Providing clean water
    • Monitoring eating habits
    • Controlling internal parasites
Enterotoxemia (Overeating Disease)
  • Is caused by toxins produced by naturally occurring intestinal bacteria
    • Clostridium perfringens types C and D
  • Commonly affects sheep and goats.
  • Usually occurs when an animal consumes excessive amounts of high energy feeds or milk.
  • Produces a quickly absorbed toxin.
  • Can cause acute death.
  • Symptoms include:
    • Sudden death
    • Diarrhea
    • Neurologic signs
      • Circling
      • Head pressing
      • Incoordination
      • Convulsions
  • Treatment includes:
    • Administering antitoxins
    • Administering oral antibiotics
    • Feeding hay
  • Prevention includes:
    • Slowly introducing concentrates
    • Carefully regulating energy intake
    • Administering a vaccination against Clostridium perfringens types C and D to pregnant and young animals at approximately four weeks of age
      • Vaccination is defined as an injection of a killed microbe in order to stimulate the immune system against the microbe, thereby preventing disease.
Lactic Acidosis
  • Is also known as carbohydrate engorgement.
  • Is caused by a sudden shift from a forage-based to a high concentrate diet.
  • Results from low rumen pH due to an increase of propionic acid production
    • Propionic acid is an acid produced by bacteria in the rumen with a very low pH.
  • Symptoms include:
    • Abdominal distension or bloat
    • Dehydration
    • Diarrhea
    • Sore hooves
    • Liver abscesses
    • Decreased milk production
  • Treatment includes:
    • Gradually adding more roughages to the diet
    • Adding feed additives to help raise the rumen pH
    • Giving oral antacids
    • Giving oral fluids
  • Prevention includes:
    • Maintaining a roughage diet of 10 percent or more
    • Utilizing ionophores as feed additives
      • Ionophores are known as a group of organic compounds and facilitate the transport of ions across the cell membrane.
Milk Fever
  • Is a metabolic disorder.
  • Is also known as hypocalcemia.
  • Affects cattle, sheep and goats.
  • Occurs when the animal has low blood calcium levels during lactation.
  • Symptoms include:
    • Muscle tremors
    • Wobbly
    • Downer cow inability to stand
    • Low body temperature
    • Unconscious/coma
  • Treatment includes:
    • Injecting a solution of calcium borogluconate subcutaneously or intravenously
      • Subcutaneous injections are injected into the skin. Intravenous injections are injected into the vein.
    • Providing a combined mineral solution
  • Prevention includes:
    • Providing vitamin D, five to seven days before parturition
    • Keeping animals on a low calcium diet while not lactating
    • Providing high doses of calcium one day before and one day after giving birth
      • alfalfa hay is high in calcium
White Muscle Disease

  • Is generalized as nutritional muscular dystrophy.

  • Affects young, rapidly growing lambs/kids (from dams with selenium deficient diets).

  • Affects calves and foals.

  • Is the result of a selenium and/or vitamin E deficiency.

  • Affects two different muscle groups, cardiac and skeletal systems.

    Cardiac symptoms include:
    • Sudden death
    • Respiratory distress
    Skeletal symptoms include:
    • Muscular weakness
    • Inability to stand
    • Muscle tremors

  • Treatments include:

    • Injections of selenium
    • Oral drenches of selenium/vitamin E

  • Prevention includes:

    • Supplementing the diet of susceptible animals with selenium and vitamin E
      • Warning - too much selenium can cause toxicity in animals!
Hardware Disease
  • Affects cattle and is also known as “traumatic gastritis” or “traumatic reticulitis”.
  • Occurs when a sharp object, such as a nail or piece of wire pierces the stomach wall and gains access to the heart.
  • Symptoms include:
    • Poor appetite
    • Depression
    • Indigestion
    • Signs of pain when defecating
    • Bloat
    • Fluid around the heart and abnormal heart sounds
  • Treatment includes:
    • Elevating forelimbs to stop forward movement of the nail or wire from the reticulum
    • Administer antibiotics to prevent infection
    • Surgery to remove the object
  • Prevention includes:
    • Administering a magnet into the reticulum
      • keeps foreign metallic objects together and reduces the chances of penetration
    • Keep feed bunks, pastures and lots free of hazardous objects

Bacterial Diseases

Common Bacterial Diseases

  • Include:
    • Bovine respiratory disease (BRD)
    • Leptospirosis
    • Brucellosis
    • Vibriosis
    • Strangles
    • Pinkeye
    • Foot rot
    • Erysipelas
    • Johne's disease
Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD)
  • Is one of the most common diseases affecting cattle.
  • Affects the respiratory tract.
  • Is defined as a “disease complex” and can be caused by a variety of pathogens.
  • Is a major cause of economic loss for cattle producers.
  • Symptoms include:
    • Fever
    • Depression
    • Lack of appetite
    • Rapid, shallow breathing
    • Coughing
    • Bloody or discolored nasal and eye discharge
    • Salivation
    • Death
  • Treatment includes:
    • Separating sick animals into a different pen
    • Administering antibiotics
    • Administering anti-inflammatories to reduce fever and damage to lungs
  • Prevention includes:
    • Utilizing proper management techniques to reduce stress on cattle
    • Vaccinating
Leptospirosis
  • Is a zoonotic disease caused by bacteria of the genus Leptospira.
  • Affects cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and horses.
  • Can damage the liver, kidneys and other organs in the animal.
  • Is spread through urine, which gets into water and soil.
  • Symptoms include:
    • Fever
    • Reproductive problems
    • Reddened eyelids
    • Diarrhea
    • Stiffness
    • Depression
    • Muscle pain
  • Treatment includes:
    • Administering antibiotics to eliminate infection
    • Segregating infected animals
  • Prevention includes:
    • Vaccinating annually
    • Utilizing proper management techniques to reduce transmission
Brucellosis
  • Is an infectious disease affecting cattle, goats and swine and is caused by Brucella bacteria.
  • Is also known as “bangs disease”.
  • Is highly contagious and spread from the vaginal discharge of an infected cow or from an aborted fetus.
  • Symptoms include:
    • Abortion
    • Stillborn
    • Weak calf born
    • Retention of fetal membranes
    • Infection
    • Swollen testicles in bulls
  • Has no available treatment, which makes detection and prevention imperative.
  • Prevention includes:
    • Vaccinating to increase resistance to infection
    • Utilizing proper management techniques and good sanitation
Vibriosis
  • Is a venereal disease spread by infected bulls when they mate with cows and heifers
    • Venereal disease is defined as an infection transmitted through sexual contact.
  • Is caused by the bacteria Campylobacter fetus.
  • Is considered to be one of the major causes of infertility in cattle.
  • Symptoms include:
    • Abortion
    • Poor conception rates
    • Long calving interval
    • Uterine infection
  • Treatment includes:
    • Providing antibiotic treatment
    • Vaccinating
  • Prevention includes:
    • Vaccinating bulls and cows annually
    • Utilizing biosecurity and screening of bulls
Strangles
  • Is a highly contagious bacterial infection of the upper respiratory tract of horses.
  • Causes enlargement of the lymph nodes in the throat and impairs breathing.
  • Symptoms include:
    • Fever
    • Swelling around the throat
    • Abscesses
    • Difficulty breathing and swallowing
    • Nasal discharge
  • Treatment includes:
    • Administering antibiotic and anti-inflammatory medications
    • Washing abscess or cavities with antiseptic solution
  • Prevention includes:
    • Isolating new horses for at least three weeks
    • Vaccinating annually
Pinkeye
  • Affects cattle and is caused by Moraxella Bovis bacteria.
  • Damages the cornea and conjunctiva
    • Conjunctiva is the mucous membrane which covers the front of the eye and lines the inside of the eyelids.
  • Symptoms include:
    • Excessive tearing
    • Frequent blinking or squinting
    • Decreased appetite
    • Corneal ulceration and cloudiness
    • Eye rupture
  • Treatment includes:
    • Administering antibiotics using topical applications in the eye
    • Administering injectable antibiotics
  • Prevention includes:
    • Controlling flies
    • Reducing dust and exposure to sunlight
    • Vaccinating
Foot Rot
  • Is a contagious disease of sheep, goats and cattle.
  • Is caused by an interaction of two anaerobic bacteria
    • Fusobacterium necrophorum
    • Bacteroides nodosus, also known as Dichelobacter nodosus
      • Anaerobic is defined as organisms living without oxygen.
  • Bacteria must penetrate the interdigital epidermis.
  • Symptoms include:
    • Moist and reddened hooves
    • Inflamed interdigital space and coronary band
    • Foul odor
    • Lameness
  • Treatments include:
    • Foot trimming
    • Administering antibiotics
    • Providing zinc sulfate or copper sulfate footbaths
    • Utilizing zinc sulfate as a dry chemical
  • Prevention includes:
    • Avoid using facilities used by infected animals in the last two weeks prior to foot trimming
    • Trimming and treating the feet of all new animals
Erysipelas
  • Is caused by the bacterium Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae, which affects swine and sheep.
  • Is transmitted by animals ingesting the bacteria from contaminated feces in the soil.
  • Symptoms include:
    • Fever
    • Poor appetite
    • Stiff movement
    • Skin discoloration
    • Swollen joints
    • Lameness
  • Treatment includes:
    • Administering penicillin (antibiotic)
  • Prevention includes:
    • Vaccinating
    • Utilizing proper management, provide a clean environment.
Johne’s Disease
  • Is an incurable wasting disease of adult cattle.
  • Is caused by organisms in the intestinal cells and lymph nodes organisms are passed out in feces and easily survive in manure
  • Causes progressive thickening of the intestinal walls.
  • Affects young animals and may not show symptoms until adulthood.
  • Can be determined with tests performed by a veterinarian.
  • Symptoms may not be present.
  • Symptoms include:
    • Chronic diarrhea
    • Weight loss
    • Lowered milk production
  • Has no effective treatment.
  • Can be prevented by checking health history of animals before purchase.

Viral Diseases

Common Viral Diseases

  • Include:
    • Rabies
    • Porcine parvovirus
    • Sore mouth
    • Bluetongue
    • Bovine virus diarrhea
    • Foot and mouth disease
    • Infectious bovine rhinotracheitis
    • Clostridial disease
    • Porcine circovirus
Rabies
  • Is an acute, fatal viral disease.
  • Is a zoonotic disease.
  • Has two genotypes
    • Classic (fox, raccoons, skunks)
    • Bat variant
  • Is transmitted by:
    • Rabid skunks, foxes, raccoons or bats who bite an animal, ultimately infecting them with the virus
  • Symptoms include:
    • Behavioral changes
    • Difficulty swallowing
    • Abnormal gait
    • Paralysis of limbs
    • Hyper salivation
    • May appear colicky
    • Obscure lameness
    • Fever
  • Treatment includes:
    • Euthanizing is recommended in cases with clinical signs of disease, there is no curable treatment
  • Prevention includes:
    • Vaccinating annually
    • Inspecting horses daily, especially if they live outside year round
    • Controlling wild animals which could potentially carry the rabies virus
Porcine Parvovirus
  • Is highly contagious and the most common cause of infectious infertility in swine.
  • Affects the fetus of a pregnant sow.
  • Symptoms include:
    • Fetal death
    • Fetal mummification
  • Does not have a known cure.
  • Prevention includes:
    • Quarantining and confining new animals
    • Vaccination
Sore Mouth (Orf)
  • Is the most common skin disease affecting sheep and goats.
  • Is a viral infection and zoonotic disease which can produce painful human infections.
  • Affects young animals more frequently.
  • Symptoms include:
    • Loss of appetite
    • Vesicles appear on lips, gums and tongue, causing redness or swelling
    • Vesicles break and form sores
  • Is a self-limiting infection.
  • Treatment includes:
    • Applying antibiotic ointment to the sores
    • Tube feeding young individuals if not nursing
  • Prevention includes:
    • Maintaining proper sanitation
    • Vaccinating
Bluetongue
  • Is a viral disease mainly affecting sheep and goats, but can also affect cattle.
  • Can be transmitted through the following:
    • Insects
    • In-utero
    • Infected needles
    • Semen
  • Symptoms include:
    • Abortion
    • Weak, “dummy lamb” births
    • Fever
    • Excessive salivation
    • Nasal discharge
    • Inflamed mouths
    • Swelling of muzzle and ears
    • Blue tongue
  • Does not have a known cure
  • Prevention includes:
    • Controlling vectors
    • Using insecticides
Bovine Virus Diarrhea
  • Is a highly contagious viral disease affecting cattle of all ages.
  • Spreads by direct or indirect contact.
  • Is a transplacental pathogen
    • Transplacental is defined as relating to or involving passage through or across the placenta.
  • Is transmitted by blood feeding flies and contact with fomites
    • A fomite is defined as any inanimate object or substance capable of carrying infectious organisms. Examples include: soil, holding pens, chutes, feeding troughs, etc.
  • Is an incurable disease.
  • Can appear in the following forms:
    • Mild
    • Acute
    • Chronic
  • Symptoms include:
    • Lethargy
    • Poor appetite
    • Diarrhea
    • Fever
    • Nasal discharge
    • Oral erosions
    • Abortions
  • Treatment includes:
    • Providing supportive therapy
  • Prevention includes:
    • Vaccinating
Foot and Mouth Disease
  • Is a severe, highly contagious zoonotic viral disease.
  • Leaves recovered animals debilitated.
  • Virus survives in lymph nodes and bone marrow at neutral pH.
  • Can be spread by physical contact with the virus by susceptible animals.
  • Virus includes more than 60 subtypes.
  • Symptoms include:
    • Blisters
    • Erosions in the mouth, on teats and hooves
    • Excessive salivation
    • Fever
    • Lameness
  • Treatment includes:
    • Vaccines must be matched to the specific type and subtype of the virus
  • Prevention includes:
    • Observing excessive salivation or lameness
    • Reporting any signs of disease to a veterinarian
    • Not bring prohibited animal products or other at-risk materials from other countries into the United States
Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR)
  • Is a contagious respiratory disease of cattle caused by bovine herpes virus type 1 (BHV -1).
  • Can be spread through direct contact with infected animals or indirect contact with contaminated surfaces.
  • Symptoms include:
    • Fever
    • Loss of appetite
    • Nasal discharge
    • Difficulty breathing
    • Redness in the whites of the eyes
    • Conjunctivitis
  • Treatment includes:
    • Administering antibiotics
    • Utilizing proper management techniques to reduce stress
    • Isolating infected animals and providing fresh food and water
  • Prevention includes:
    • Vaccinating
Clostridial Disease
  • Is also known as “black leg”.
  • Is caused by a spore forming bacterium attacking skeletal muscles.
  • Spores can live in soil for years.
  • Can cause death without any symptoms.
  • Symptoms include:
    • Lameness
    • Swelling over neck, shoulder and thighs
      • will make a crackling sound when rubbed
    • Wounds and bruises occur in young calves from four months to two years old
    • Death occurs in one or two days
  • Treatment includes:
    • Administering massive doses of antibiotics which may save the animal if detected early, not always effective
  • Prevention includes:
    • Administering a vaccination at three to four months of age
Porcine Circovirus
  • Is an