2. • It is an acute infectious and highly fatal ,bacterial
disease of cattle
• Buffaloes, Sheep and goats are also affected
• Young cattle between 6-24 months of age, in good
body condition are mostly affected
• It is soil-borne infection
• It is generally occurs during rainy season
• The disease is enzootic in India
Define:-
3. Etiology:-
1.It is caused by Clostridium chauvoei
2.The bacteria is gram positive ,rod shaped
and spore-forming.
3.Spores resistant to environmental
changes and disinfectants.
4.Persist in soil for year
4. Route of Infection:-
The disease spreads through:
• Ingestion of contaminated feed
• Contaminated of wound
• Pass wall of GI tract/erupting teeth
• Access to bloodstream
• Deposited in muscle and other tissues
(spleen, liver, and alimentary tract)
• Remain dormant indefinitely
5. Occurrence :-
• Worldwide
• When disease occurs number of animals
affected
• Enzootic in particular areas
• Group of farms to individual in field
• Case fatality rate 100%
• Seasonal—warm months
• Excavation of soil
6. Symptoms:-
1.Fever(106-108 F)
2.Loss of appetite
3.Depression ,dullness
4.Suspended rumination
5.Rapid pulse and heart rates
6.Difficult breathing (Dyspnoea)
7.Lameness in affected leg
8.Crepitating swelling over hip, back & shoulder
9.Swelling is hot & painful in early stages whereas
cold and painless later
10. Recumbence (Prostration) followed by death
with in 12-48 hr
7.
8.
9. Pathogenesis :-
1.Spores by ingestion intestinal mucosa blood
circulation skeletal muscles and remain
dormant
2. Muscular fatigue or trauma to the muscle
3. Producing anaerobic conditions
4. Spores activate, proliferate, produce toxins
5. Necrotizing myositis / toxemia
6. Toxins --- capillary damage, hemorrhagic
edema and necrosis
7. Gas production----gangrene and toxemia .
10. Clinical Findings :-
1.Sever lameness
2.Pronounced swelling of upper part of leg
3.Depression
4.Complete anorexia
5.Ruminal stasis
6.High temperature and pulse rate
7.Early stages --- swelling hot and painful
8.Later--- cold and painless
9.Edematous and emphysematous
10.Crepitation on palpation
11.Discolored, dry and cracked skin
11. Clinical Findings :-
1. Lesions on base of tongue, heart muscles,
diaphragm, brisket, udder
2. Condition develops rapidly
3. Death12-36 hrs after appearance of signs
4. Deaths without signs / clostridial cardiac
myositis
12. Diagnosis:-
1.History: Age ,body condition and season
2.Symptoms: High fever, crepitating
swelling and lameness
3.P.M Finding: Dark coloured muscles
with gaseous infiltration
4.Examination of smears made from
affected tissues or fluid from the
swelling
5.Isolation of the organism
13. Necropsy findings :-
1. Lying on the side with the affected hind
limb stuck out stiffly---characteristic
position
2. Bloating and putrefaction occurs quickly
3. Blood stained froth from nostrils and
anus
4. Incision ---- dark red to black swollen
tissue with rancid odor---gas bubbles
14.
15. Treatment:-
1.Penicillin @10,000units/Kg bwt IM & loacally
daily for 5-6 days
2.Oxytetracyline in doses i.e 10 mg/Kg bwt IM
or IV
3.Incise the swelling and drains off
4.B.Q. antiserum in large doses ,if available
5.Use of Antipyretics e.g Inj.Vetalgin 20-30 ml
IM
6.Use of Antihistaminics e.g Inj.Avil
/Cadistin/Zeet @5-10 ml IM
7.Fluid therapy inj. DNS 5% IV
16. Prophylaxis/Control:-
• General measures:
1. Isolation of infected and in contact animals
2. Disposal of carcass either by deep burial or burning
3. Proper disinfection of surgical instrument prior to operatio
4. Don’t allow grazing in affected area
• Vaccination:
1. Alum Precipitated B.Q. Vaccine @5ml s/c each year
before rainy season
2. The immunity develops in 2-3 weeks and remains
for 6 months.
