Clostridial Diseases
Description
Clostridial diseases are deadly diseases that strike cattle suddenly, often causing death even before any clinical signs are observed. The bacteria that cause these diseases create spores that are very hardy and can live for long periods of time in the environment, enduring heat, cold and moisture. These spores are extremely common and can easily be picked up by grazing cattle or enter the body through a wound. The bacteria then multiply rapidly in dead tissue and release toxins that travel through the bloodstream. Death often occurs so rapidly that treatment is not an option.
Clostridial diseases affect the animal's muscle (blackleg), liver (black disease or red water) or gut (enterotoxemia or purple gut), depending on which type of bacteria causes the disease.
Some types of clostridia are normal inhabitants of the intestinal tract. Overeating can trigger these bacteria to multiply and release deadly toxins. Botulism, the deadly food-borne disease that affects humans and animals, is a clostridial infection.
Animals affected
Cattle are susceptible to clostridial diseases throughout their lives. Apparently healthy animals with no outward signs of disease are often affected. Young well-fed calves up to one month of age or calves recently put on a high-energy ration are at risk, as are heavier cattle on feed. Any injury, bruising or invasive procedure such as castration, birth or puncture wounds can create an opportunity for these bacteria to invade the body and release toxins.
Common names
Blackleg, purple gut, black disease, enterotoxemia, overeating disease, malignant edema, sord, infectious hepatitis, red water, enteritis, tetanus, botulism
Causes
Clostridium species including:
- Cl. septicum
- Cl. chauvoei
- Cl. haemolyticum
- Cl. novyi
- Cl. perfringens Types A, B, C and D
- Cl. sordellii
- Cl. tetani
- Cl. botulinim
Contributing factors
- Injury
- Castration
- Puncture wounds
- Liver fluke infection
- Abrupt diet changes
- Overeating
Clinical signs
Clinical signs will differ depending on the type of bacteria.
- Sudden death of apparently healthy animals
- Anorexia (loss of appetite)
- High fever
- Port wine-colored urine
- Lethargy or depression, with death occurring in 6–24 hours
- Muscle spasms
- Localized stiffness
- Acute lameness
- Swelling in hip or shoulder with a "crackling" sensation when skin is pressed
Disease management: prevention
Vaccination is the most economical, safest and most reliable strategy for preventing clostridial disease. Clostridial vaccines are available in various combinations to help protect against the most common types of bacteria.
See Health Programs for specific vaccination suggestions for cows and calves.
Pfizer clostridial vaccines:
UltraChoice™ 7, UltraChoice™ 8, UltraChoice™ CD, Ultrabac® 7, Ultrabac® 8, Ultrabac® CD, Ultrabac® 7/Somubac®, Fortress® 7, Fortress® 8, Fortress® CD, One Shot Ultra™ 7 or One Shot Ultra™ 8
Disease management: treatment
Clostridial infection progresses so quickly that it is rarely possible to treat this disease with antibiotics or antitoxins.
Your veterinarian plays a valuable role in accurately diagnosing disease and suggesting the best therapy. In the face of some disease outbreaks, preventive antibiotic therapy or antitoxins may be warranted.
Economic impacts
Since clostridial disease often affects the healthiest, fastest-growing calves and commonly results in death, the economic impact can be devastating. Blackleg or other clostridial diseases can steal your investment in a healthy calf crop or a promising replacement heifer or bull.
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