STRATHBOGIE VETERINARY CENTRE LTD
VETERINARY SURGEONS
39 Gordon Street, Huntly, Aberdeenshire,AB54 8EQ,
Telephone: 01466 792627 Fax: 01466 794962
“SERVING TOWN AND COUNTRY”
Newsletter October 2016: Clostridial Considerations
Clostridia are bacteria that live all around us. They particularly like to live in the soil and on rotting carcasses. Clostridial bacteria are killers! Often killing animals before any signs of illness are observed. Even if disease is spotted treatment is very rarely successful. Despite the availability of effective vaccines these diseases still cause a large number of deaths in livestock each year.
There are many different types of clostridia and each has a different type of disease pattern a brief summary of the most common is provided below.
Enterotoxins – Toxins coming from the guts
Clostridium Perfringes Type D (Pulpy Kidney)
AFFECTS – lambs ages 4-10 weeks and growing lambs from 6 months till fat.
The bacterium multiplies in the guts where it produces a toxin that is absorbed into the blood stream. This toxin will damage many internal organs but particularly the kidney. It can occasionally affect adult animals. Rams getting increased nutrition prior to tupping are often affected. The first sign is often sudden death though occasionally diarrhoea and brain disease can be seen.
VACCINATION - BRAVOXIN 10, HEPTAVAX P PLUS, LAMBIVAC and OVIVAC P PLUS
Clostridium Perfringes Type A
AFFECTS – Cattle (any age)
It lives in the guts of healthy animals but if an animal is exposed to SUDDEN CHANGES OR STRESS e.g changes in diet, transport, difficult calving or caesarian section (to name but a few) the bacteria is able to multiple. It then produces a toxin that is absorbed into the blood stream. This causes sudden death in the animal about 24 hours after the stressful event.
VACCINATION – BRAVOXIN 10
Clostridium Perfringes Type B (Lamb Dysentery)
AFFECTS – Lambs up to 3 weeks of age
Usually affects the thriving lambs that are taking in lots of milk. It causes a bloody diarrhoea and sudden death. The infection occurs due to the ingestion of the bacteria from the mother’s udder if it is contaminated with faeces or soil. Unhygienic conditions are a major risk factor and it is worth taking the time to disinfect lambing pens and equipment ect as lamb losses can be as high as 30%!
VACCINATION - BRAVOXIN 10, HEPTAVAX P PLUS and LAMBIVAC
Clostridium Perfringes Type C (Struck)
AFFECTS – Sheep at Pasture
Typically occurs in spring to sheep over 1 year old. It causes sudden onset abdominal pain with bloody diarrhoea and sporadic deaths. Is thought to be associated with fluke and usually affects animals in the best condition.
VACCINATION - BRAVOXIN 10, HEPTAVAX P PLUS and LAMBIVAC
Neurotropic – Toxins that affect the Nerves
Clostridium Tetani (Tetanus)
AFFECTS – Cattle and Sheep (any age)
Survives for years in the soil in protective capsules. Causes neurological signs when wounds or damaged tissues are contained with the bacterial spores. Animals may develop a stiff gait, bloat, lock jaw, raised tail head and prolapsed third eye lid. In the final stages animals may become recumbent and spasms before eventually dying. Death usually occurs 3-4 day following the onset of disease but most animals are euthanized before this occurs on welfare grounds.
VACCINATION - BRAVOXIN 10, HEPTAVAX P PLUS, LAMBIVAC and OVIVAC P PLUS
Clostridium Botulinium (Botulism)
AFFECTS – Cattle and Sheep (any age)
The bacterium is found in decaying carcasses and commonly occurs if the food or water supply is contaminated with poultry waste. It is associated with a flaccid paralysis meaning the animal is unable to move its muscles; the tongue is paralyzed and can easily be pulled from the mouth. Animals will become recumbent and eventually die.
PREVENTION – NO VACCINE AVALABLE IN THE UK
Histotoxic Clostridia – Toxins that affect the tissue
Clostridium Chauvoei (Blackleg)
AFFECTS – Cattle (any age) rarely sheep
Also known as gangrenous myositis (Rotting Muscle) it most commonly affect young grazing cattle. Cattle are often found dead but may present with depression and lameness. If treated at very early stages a high dose of penicillin maybe affective. Following death the carcasses bloat rapidly and the tissues become gassy and spongy. If they tissues are cut into they are black and dry with a rancid odour.
PREVENTION–BRAVOXIN 10
Clostridium Septicum (Malignant Oedema and Braxy)
AFFECTS – Cattle and Sheep (any age)
Malignant Oedema also know as false blackleg occurs due to soil contamination of a wound, common after shearing wounds. Affected muscles appear dark red/black and will be full of air (emphysema). Animals will have a high temperature and be very dull. Unlike blackleg early antibiotic therapy maybe successful.
Braxy is also cause by the same bacteria; it affects spring lambs in autumn and winter. It occurs when eating frozen forage causes a weakening the stomach lining allowing the toxin to enter the blood stream. It causes sudden death.
PREVENTION - BRAVOXIN 10, HEPTAVAX P PLUS, OVIVAC P PLUS
Clostridium Novyi (Black Disease and Big Head)
AFFECTS –Sheep (any age)
Usually found in the wetter areas in the UK in late summer/autumn. The bacterium is normally found in the liver of healthy animals but migration of fluke across the liver allow the bacteria to proliferate and produce toxins that cause necrosis (rotting) of the liver. Animals a simply found dead.
Big head is found in rams where lesions are restricted to the head and is usually a result of fighting.
PREVENTION - BRAVOXIN 10 and HEPTAVAX P PLUS
Clostridium Haemolyticum( BacillaryHaemoglobinuria)
AFFECTS – Cattle (any age)
Causes dark red urine and bloody faeces, cattle will have an arched back and not want to move they may also become jaundice. They will become recumbent then suffer respiratory distress and death. On post mortem the liver will be mahogany coloured.
PREVENTION - BRAVOXIN 10 andHEPTAVAX P PLUS
Clostridium Sordellii
AFFECTS –Sheep (any age)
Often associated with gas gangrene but also causes acute stomach upset in young lambs 4-10 weeks old, sudden death in finishing lambs and fatal uterus infection in ewes.
PREVENTION - BRAVOXIN 10
As clostridia are ubiquitous in the environment they are a constant threat. Vaccination provides an extremely good method of future control. Not one vaccine will cover everything so choosing the correct vaccine for your flock/herd is important. All vaccines require annual boosters. While animals can be vaccinated from an early age they don’t get protection for 1-2 months hence vaccination of the dam is important to provide immunity to the lamb/calf by colostrum. This is especially important for lamb dysentery.
Why did the tup fall over the cliff?
He didn't see the ewe turn!
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