A. Johne’s Disease

· An Important Bacterial Disease Of Ruminants Causing Long-Lasting Diarrhoea With Heavy Economic Losses.

· Loss Of Weight Despite Good Appetite.

· Bottle Jaw May Also Appear.

· Once Clinical Signs Appear The Animal Will Not Recover And Will Continue To Deteriorate.

Prevention And Control

· Johne’s Disease Is Not Curable.

· Positive Animals Should Be Culled From Farm As It May Infect Other Healthy Animals.

· Purchase New Animals Only After Testing Them.

· Induct Only Negative Animals To Your Farm.

· Carry Out Regular Testing Of Your Animals.

· Consult A Veterinarian To Test Your Animals For Johne’s Disease.

B. Bovine Tuberculosis (Btb)

· It Is Also An Important Bacterial Disease Of Cattle And Buffalo.

· The Disease Develops Over A Number Of Years And Results In Weakness, Coughing And Weight Loss.

· Also Leads To Anorexia, Emaciation, Difficulty In Breathing, Enlargement Of Lymph Nodes And Diarrhoea.

· The Disease Is Also Transmissible To Humans.

Prevention And Control

· Bovine Tuberculosis Is Also Not Curable.

· Positive Animals Should Be Culled From Farm As It May Infect Other Healthy Animals.

· Purchase New Animals Only After Testing Them.

· Induct Only Negative Animals To Your Farm.

· Carry Out Regular Testing Of Your Animals.

· Consult A Veterinarian To Test Your Animals For Btb

C. Aflatoxicosis

· Disease Is Caused By Toxins Produced By Mold (Fungus) That Grows On Feed (Eg. Ground Nut Cake, Maize Etc) And Stored Fodder That Is Damp. Also Known As “Degnala” Disease In Cattle & Buffaloes.

· The Toxins Can Occur In Concentrations High Enough To Cause Major Losses In Health And Performance Of The Animal.

· The Economic Impact Of Reduced Productivity Is Many Times The Impact Caused By Fatalities, Milk Production May Drop By More Than 15%.

Common Symptoms

· Gradual Loss Of Appetite And Body Condition, Intermittent Diarrhoea May Be Seen.

· Alopecia, Sloughing Of Extremities Like Tail And Ear.

· Gangrenous Lesions On Foot.

· High Producers May Show Symptoms First.

· Reduction In Feed Consumption, Reduced Fertility, Abortions, Weight Loss, Increased Occurrence Of Ketosis, Retention Of Placenta (Rop), Metritis, Mastitis And Other Diseases Due To Lowered Immunity.

Prevention

· Avoid Feeding Dry Fodder That Is Or Has Been Damp And Is Obviously Moldy And Also Avoid Feeding Feed Ingredients With Fungus.

· Provide Adequate Mineral Mixture Supplements And Green Fodder.

· Consult A Veterinarian Immediately On Observing Any Of The Above Symptoms.

D. Ephemeral Fever (Three Day Sickness)

· Ephemeral Fever Is Viral Disease Of Cattle And Buffalo.

· It Is An Insect-Transmitted Disease.

· Persists Usually For 3 Days.

· Morbidity May Be Very High But Mortality Is Very Low (1-2%).

Symptoms

· Biphasic To Polyphasic Fever With Shivering, Tears From Eyes And Decreased Appetite.

· Nasal Discharge, Drooling, Labored Breathing, Depression, Stiffness, Lameness And Sudden Decrease In Milk Yield.

Prevention And Treatment

· Spontaneous Recovery Usually Occurs Within A Few Days.

· Proper Fly Control Would Help To Reduce The Disease (See Chapter On Fly Management).

· Complete Rest Is The Most Effective Treatment. Recovered Animals Should Not Be Stressed Or Worked For Some Days Since Relapse May Occur.

· Consult A Veterinarian For Symptomatic Treatment.

E. Foot Rot

· Foot Rot Is A Bacterial Infection Which Is Of Great Economic Importance For Dairying.

· The Incidence Varies According To Weather, Season Of Year, Grazing Periods, Housing System, Type Of Flooring Etc.

· Stony Ground, Sharp Gravel And Pasturing On Coarse Stubble Also Predispose To The Condition.

Symptoms

· Fever And Anorexia.

· Reduced Milk Yield.

· Swelling Of Inter-Digital Space.

· Foul Smell From Lesion.

· Severe Lameness -Animal Holds Leg In Air To Relieve Pressure.

· Hind Feet Are Affected Most Often And Cattle Tend To Stand And Walk On Their Toes.

Prevention And Treatment

· Remove Sources Of Injury And Keep Feet Dry And Clean.

· Animals That Are Actively Shedding Infectious Organisms Should Be Isolated Until Signs Of Lameness Have Disappeared.

· Steps Should Be Taken To Ensure That Areas Around Drinking Troughs, Gateways, And Tracks Are Adequately Drained.

· Preventive Use Of A Footbath With An Astringent And Antiseptic Solution Eg. Copper Sulphate 5% & Zinc Sulphate 10%, Gives Good Results.

· Systemic Therapy Is More Important Than Topical Treatment.

· Prompt Diagnosis And Initiation Of Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy Are Essential To Achieve A Satisfactory Response.

· If Improvement Is Not Evident Within Three To Four Days, It May Mean The Infection Has Invaded The Deeper Tissues.

· Contact A Veterinarian Immediately On Observing The Above Symptoms.