BCM – 31 Blackleg and Clostridial Diseases The Clostridial diseases are a group of mostly Malignant Edema fatal infections caused by bacteria belonging to Malignant edema is a disease of cattle of any age the group called Clostridia. These organisms caused by CI. septicum is found in the feces of have the ability to form protective shell-like forms most domestic animals and in large numbers in called spores when exposed to adverse the soil where livestock populations are high. The conditions. This allows them to remain potentially organism gains entrance to the body in deep infective in soils for long periods of time and wounds and can even be introduced into deep present a real danger to the livestock population. vaginal or uterine wounds in cows following Many of the organisms in this group are also difficult calving. The symptoms are those normally present in the intestines of man and primarily of depression, loss of appetite and a wet animals. doughy swelling around the wound which often gravitates to lower portions of the body. Black Leg Temperatures of 106° or more are associated Blackleg is a disease caused by Clostridium with the infection with death frequently occurring chauvoei and primarily affects cattle under two in twenty-four to forty-eight hours. years of age and is usually seen in the better doing calves. The organism is taken in by mouth. Post mortem lesions seen are those of necrotic, Symptoms first noted are those of lameness and darkened foul smelling areas under the skin, depression. A swelling caused by gas bubbles, often extending into muscle. Very little if any gas often can be felt under the skin as a crackling is associated with the swelling. sensation. A high temperature is present. Occasionally, sudden death occurs with no Diagnosis is based on the history of illness in symptoms observed. unvaccinated cattle, typical symptoms and post mortem lesions with laboratory confirmation. Upon a post mortem examination, the infected Treatment with massive doses of penicillin in area is composed of black, dead (necrotic) cases observed early is occasionally successful. muscle which is pocked with gas bubbles and is usually found in the heavier more active muscle The disease can be prevented by the use of masses of the animal. A sweetish odor of rancid Clostridium septicum bacterins usually produced butter may be detected from a fresh lesion. in combination with other bacterins. Lesions may occasionally be discovered in the Clostridium Novyi diaphragm, heart or tongue. Diagnosis is based Infections caused by Cl. novyi, infrequently called on the symptoms of lameness with a gaseous Black disease, in cattle, occur sporadically in swelling under the skin in young cattle and is cow-calf operations as they are more often seen confirmed by post mortem and laboratory tests. under feedlot conditions. The route of infection The chances for survival are poor unless and transmission are not known, however, it is symptoms are discovered early in the disease. thought to gain entrance into the body by a Large doses of penicillin may save the life of the wound infection, or possibly taken in orally. Only animal if administered early. sudden deaths are thought to occur and sick Prevention is readily accomplished, by the use of cattle are not generally recognized. Blackleg bacterins which over the years have Post mortem lesions are similar to those of CI. proven very effective. Vaccination at less than 4 septicum with a wet, foul smelling lesion being months of age will not produce a lasting present. immunity. Calves vaccinated at less than 4 Diagnosis is based on the history of sudden months should be revaccinated at 5-6 months. death, significant post mortem lesions and positive laboratory confirmation on fresh tissue. some question its effectiveness in treatment. No treatment is recognized due to the sudden Supportive treatment to prevent dehydration and death aspect of the disease. starvation may need to be given for 1-4 week. Clostridium novyi bacterins are available in Prevention is best accomplished by making sure combination with other Clostridial bacterins and lots and pasture areas are free from objects are generally thought to offer greater and more which might cause puncture wounds and by solid protection with two injections given four to accomplishing surgical procedures as cleanly as six weeks apart. possible. In areas of high risk, tetanus antitoxin can be given at the time of surgical procedures. Clostriduim Sordellii CI. sordellii is a sudden death disease of Clostridium Hemolyticum primarily feedlot cattle, infrequently seen in cows. CI. hemolyticum causes an infection commonly The route of transmission is unknown, but called red water disease. The disease has thought to be by mouth. No symptoms are somewhat limited geographic locations, occurring observed as only dead animals are found. mostly in Montana and along the coast of Texas, The post mortem findings are somewhat specific, being found primarily in marshy lowlands. The as they tend to be found in the areas of brisket organism taken in orally is frequently associated and throat, consisting of massive black with liver fluke infection. Liver tissue damage hemorrhage and smelly muscle necrosis with no caused by the flukes allows the bacteria to gas formation. No treatment is of value as sick proliferate, grow and produce powerful toxins animals are not observed. which destroy red blood cells, spilling the released red hemoglobin into the urine, hence The diagnosis is based on the history of sudden the name red water disease. death, with the typical post mortem lesions of the brisket and throat and by laboratory confirmation. Symptoms seen are those of depression, Clostridium sordellii bacterins are available. anemia, bloody diarrhea, red stained urine, high temperature, collapse and death in 1-3 days. Tetanus Post mortem lesions are those of an extremely Tetanus in cattle is caused by CI. Tetani. pale animal, red stained urine in the bladder, thin Although cattle are less susceptible to tetanus watery blood and usually a large necrotic area in than most other animals, it can occur. The the liver. organism lives in the intestines of many animals and is found widespread in soil. The organism is Treatment is usually of no avail unless begun introduced into wounds created by punctures or early. Large doses of penicillin may help. A lacerations caused either by accident or following bacterin is available for use in areas where the "dirty surgery." disease appears, but must be given every six months. In heavily infected areas more frequent The organism does not actively invade tissues vaccination may be necessary. creating a larger more noticeable wound, but remains in the small area where introduced and Enterotoxaemia produces powerful toxins or poisons which This disease condition is caused by Cl. primarily attack nerve tissue affecting both the perfringens. spinal cord and brain. This organism is found throughout the world in The symptoms observed are those of muscle the lower intestinal tract of man and animals. The spasms, sometimes violent, brought about by disease entity seen most frequently in the cow- sudden sounds or touch. The spasms make calf operation is hemorrhagic enterotoxaemia, normal locomotion difficult and animals are often caused by Cl. perfringens type C. seen uncoordinated in early cases. Also, in early There does seem to be somewhat of a stages, the ears are erect, the tail stiff and geographical limitation to the condition, as it is elevated and the third eyelid located in the corner seen most frequently in the mountain states and of the eye is seen to protrude partially across the the western part of Kansas, Nebraska, South and eye. North Dakota. It is, however, seen sporadically in In general, about 60% of affected untreated cattle the remainder of the Great Plains area. die. No lesions are found post mortem, and only As Cl. perfringens is a normal inhabitant of occasionally can the original offending wound be almost all mammals, a specific set of found. Diagnosis therefore, is based on typical circumstances must exist in order for the disease clinical signs and perhaps the history of a recent to present itself to the animal. (a) The type C wound. strain of the bacteria must be present in the Treatment consists of tranquilization of the intestinal tract. (b) The bacteria must have an animal and antibiotics, preferably penicillin to abundance of nutrients, especially carbohydrates stop the organisms from producing further toxin. for the bacteria to attack, as for instance, would Tetanus antitoxin may be used in large doses but be present in milk and (c) there must be at least a partial slow down or stoppage of intestinal tract in feedlot cattle, but rarely in mature stock cows. movement brought about by ingesting a Botulism particularly large amount of feed allowing the Botulism, caused by CI. botulinum occurs only toxins to accumulate and be absorbed in the gut. rarely in the United States and has only been These conditions could be met in the case of a reported in Texas. The organism is found as a young vigorous week old calf, who, after exercise contaminant in feeds usually present in a develops a real hunger and drinks more than its decomposing animal, such as a rabbit or rat, normal amount of milk from a good milking dam, which as it grows in the small animal, produces a overloads its digestive tract and the right powerful toxin which leaks out into the conditions exist. surrounding feedstuff and cattle ingest the contaminated feed. The symptoms are those of a The disease is usually seen then in calves one progressive paralysis ending in death. No week of age or less. Although riders may find significant lesions are present at post mortem.