An Article about Bacterial Disease of Ruminants By Tamur Usman, Moazzam Ali and Faizan Rasool

1. Important Bacterial Infections of Large Ruminants in Winter
Tamur Usman, Moazzam Ali and Faizan Rasool
(DVM 7th Semester Morning)
Faculty of Veterinary Sciences (B.Z.U) Multan
Disease: -
Disease is a combination of two words i.e. Dis & Ease. It is the Deviation of the body from
normal Health conditions. In Scientific terms when body is unable to maintain its normal
homeostatic condition according to the external environmental changes then it is termed as
disease.
Normally diseases are of two types:
1. Infectious.
2. Non-infectious.
Infectious: -
As far as animals are concerned Infectious diseases are those which have the potential to
spread from one animal to others. Mainly they are of 4 types: -
1. Bacterial.
2. Viral.
3. Fungal
4. Parasitic
Bacterial Infections in Large Ruminants:
Now we will discuss the bacterial infections in detail

2. 1. Hemorrhagic septicemia :
It is an acute pasteurellosis,occurs in cattle and water buffalo, and to lesser degrees in
other ruminants . It is caused by Pasteurella multocida bacteria, and can be fatal. It is
"characterized by a sudden onset of high fever,dyspnea, salivation,hot
painful subcutaneous swellings and submucosal petechiae and death in about 24 hours.
Etiology: Hemorrhagic septicemia is caused by two serotypes of P. multocida; namely, B:2 and
E:2.Most prevalent in tropical and subtropical areas like Pakistan ,India etc.Outbreaks are
common in rainy season and Winters.
Transmission:
Close herding and wetness. by direct and indirect contact (fomites). Organisms are natural
inhabitants of tonsils and nasophyrnx.Invade the tissue when the resistance of the animal is
reduced (fatigue,starvation,dampness).
Clinical Signs : Majority of cases are acute or peracute with death occurring within 6 to 24
hours. Dullness, reluctance to move, and elevated temperature are the first signs. Following
these, salivation and nasal discharge appear.
Lesions
 edematous swelling of the head, neck, and brisket region
 There are subserosal petechial hemorrhages throughout, and blood-tinged fluid is
found in the thoracic and abdominal cavities.
 Petechiae,especially on endocardium,peritoneum,pleura and gastrointestinal tract,
which are also swollen and often hemorrhagic.
Visible mucous membranes are congested, and respiratory distress is soon followed by
collapse and death. Recovery, particularly in buffaloes, is rare.
Treatment: Several of the sulfonamides and antibiotics such as penicillin and the tetracyclines
can be used successfully in the early stages. In some outbreaks in Southeast Asia, animals with
elevated temperatures are isolated and I/V with a soluble sulfonamide.
Vaccine: Killed vaccines are commonly used include bacterins, alum-precipitated and aluminum
hydroxide gel vaccines, and oil-adjuvant vaccines. In animals >3 yr old, an initial two doses, 1–3
months apart, is recommended.
Control and Eradication
An organized program of vaccination and maintenance of animals in as good a condition as
possible. When favorable conditions for outbreaks are known preventive measures can be
carried out in advance.

3. Figure 1 HS Fibrinous peuropneumonia
Figure 2 Bovine Heart Petechei on epicardium
2. PINK EYE / INFECTIOUS BOVINE KERATOCONJUNCTIVITIS:
It is a contagious disease that affects the eyes of cattle,causing inflammation of the cornea and
conjunctiva of the eye. It will also cause ulceration, which looks like a hole or depression in the
cornea.
Pinkeye affects more cattle during winter than in any other season. This is partly because the
animals are very close to each other for body warmth.
Causes of Pink eye
The primary infectious agent for pinkeye is the bacterium Moraxella bovis. IT is a multifactorial
disease.
Winter Pink eye
While most cases of pink eye occur in the spring, summer, and fall, pink eye is an important
disease in the winter as well. Risk factors during winter are close confinement and feeding, UV

4. light reflected, irritation from feed, or infection with a virus can provide for spread of the
bacteria between animals.
Recovered animals often become long-term carriers, shedding the bacteria from their nasal
secretions.
It is thought that winter pinkeye is caused by infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) virus but
that is not the case. Winter pinkeye is caused by M. bovis. IBR can cause red runny eyes, but not
the ulceration seen with pinkeye. Pinkeye outbreaks may occur when IBR is present because
IBR can cause irritation to the eye, making it more susceptible to M. bovis.
Timely treatment and isolation of cattle that develop pinkeye in the winter are the most
effective preventive actions.
Treatment of pinkeye is done by injection an approved antibiotic containing tetracycline. The
approved products are long-acting products so only a single treatment is needed. Early
treatment not only is more effective but also stops organism shedding sooner thus reducing the
risk to other cattle. Vaccinating for IBR with a modified live vaccine is not recommended during
an outbreak of pinkeye
3. FOOT ROT (Interdigital necrobacilosis):
Foot rot is an infectious disease of cattle which causes swelling and lameness. Foot rot can be
spread to entire herds of animals causing significant economic losses.Common names for the
disease are sore foot and foul foot.Creating dead tissue between the toes. The incidence is
usually sporadic.
Causative Organism
Fusobacterium necrophorum and Bacteroides melaninogenicus are the bacteria that cause foot
rot Cuts, bruises, puncture wounds, or severe abrasions permit these bacteria to enter the
tissue of the foot where they start an infection. Foot rot is commonly diagnosed in areas with
wet or damp areas and thus is most prevalent in the fall and winter seasons.

5. "super footrot,”. It seems to be caused by a multiple drug-resistant strain of
Fusobacteriumnecrophorum and causes a more rapidly progressive disease. Calves are the
more susceptible. Mineral deficiencies of zinc, selenium, and copper seem to increase the
incidence of disease.a much more serious.
Common Symptoms:Inflammation and necrosis of tissue,swelling and extreme pain,Smelly
discharge occurs in the tracts that open into the feet around the hoof,Lameness with holding or
raising of a foot (hind limbs are affected most often),Reluctance to placing weight on affected
legs,Loss of appetite and weight,Fever,Reduction in milk production,Severe illness can lead to
death in prolonged cases.
Treatments
Penicillin, oxytetracyclines Ceftiofur and Florfenicol are effective antibiotics. For mild cases,
topical therapy may be all that is required to heal. More severe cases -removal of infected
tissue and antimicrobial applications. The most critical cases may require claw amputation or
slaughter.
Prevention
To prevent re-infection, the treated animals should be kept on dry surfaces until recovered.
Zinc is important in maintaining the integrity of the skin and hoof. Good management
programs, including mineral supplementation and vaccination increase the overall immunity of
the cattle.
7. LISTERIOSIS
also called Circling Disease or Silage Sickness.Disease of worldwide occurrence can affect all
ruminants.It is of zoonotic importance. Listeriosis is a bacterial infection caused by the
bacteria Listeria monocytogenes. Natural reservoirs for the bacteria are the soil and the GI
tracts of mammals. bacterium can cause severe food-borne infections
Transmission: of L. monocytogenes by grazing pastures contaminated by feces containing the
bacteria. The bacteria can also gain entry to tissue via wound or inhalation. Listeriosis is also a
concern when animals are consuming ensiled forages such as haylage or corn silage.Animal to
human transmission is either directly through contact with infected animals or indirectly via
milk, cheese, meat, eggs

6. Listeriosis can result in abortion, septicemia, or meningoencephalitis. is more common during
the winter or spring months. Some lactating ruminants may also have clinical mastitis
associated with listeriosis.
Clinical signs: include anorexia, depression, disorientation, facial paralysis, excessive salivation,
and in severe cases, affected animals may fall on their sides and exhibit
involuntary running movements.
Treatment: Listeriosis should be treated aggressively with high doses of penicillin or
tetracycline, along with supportive therapy, including fluids and electrolytes.
8. YERSINIOSIS:
Enteritis caused by Yersinia pseudotuberculosis affects yearling cattle that are stressed due to
feed shortage and cold, wet weather mainly in winter and early spring. There is still some
debate about the significance of Yersinia species in enteric disease in cattle, as these bacteria
can be isolated from the faeces of healthy cattle as well as from animals with diarrhoea.
9. TEME IN FEEDER CATTLE (Thromboembolic meningoencephalitis)
also called TEME and “Brainer”—is a severe disease that affects the brain of range and feedlot
cattle. It is caused by the bacteria Haemophilus somnus, an organism that also can cause
pneumonia, arthritis, and abortion in cattle.
TEME usually occurs during the colder fall, winter,and spring months since factors such as stress
associatedwith weaning, shipping, and handling often tend to precipitate outbreaks. Cattle ages
6 months to 2 yearsold are susceptible. Weaners and yearlings tend to bemost susceptible.
Clinical Signs: In the feedlot, affected cattle are commonly referred to as “brainers” because
most signs are the result of central nervous system disturbances. The condition is usually rapid
in onset.
Treatment : requires early recognition of disease. Individual cases respond to high levels of
antibiotics, particularly oxytetracycline. In heavy outbreaks, adding high levels of either
oxytetracycline or chlortetracycline (in crumbles) in the ration will help to reduce the incidence.
Prevention: A vaccine composed of killed Haemophilus somnus bacteria is available for
prevention of TEME. Two inoculations are required, with at least a 21-day interval between
inoculations.

7. 10. CALF DIPHTHERIA / LYRINGITIS
(Laryngeal necrobacillosis)
Fusobacterium necrophorum, a gram-negative, nonsporeforming anaerobe, is a normal
inhabitant of the alimentary, respiratory, and genital tract of animals. Necrotic laryngitis is an
acute or chronic F necrophorum infection of the laryngeal mucosa and cartilage of young cattle,
characterized by fever, cough, inspiratory dyspnea, and stridor. It occurs primarily in feedlot
cattle 3–18 mo of age; however, cases in calves as young as 5 wk and in cattle as old as 24 mo
have been documented. Cases are seen worldwide and year round but appear to be more
prevalent in the fall and winter.
Transmission, Epidemiology, and Pathogenesis
most common where cattle are closely confined under unsanitary conditions or in feedlots.
Mixed upper respiratory tract infections (caused byinfectious bovine rhinotracheitis
virus and parainfluenza-3 virus; Mycoplasma spp; and bacteria,
includingPasteurella and Haemophilus), and the coughing and swallowing associated with these
infections, may predispose feedlot cattle to develop laryngeal contact ulcers
Clinical Findings
Initially, a moist, painful cough. Severe inspiratory dyspnea, characterized by open-mouth
breathing with the head and neck extended and loud inspiratory stridor are common findings.
Systemic signs may include fever (106°F [41.1°C]), anorexia, depression, and hyperemia of the
mucous membranes. Untreated calves die in 2–7 days from toxemia and upper airway
obstruction.
Treatment and Control
Oxytetracycline or procaine penicillin IM, bid) are the antimicrobials of choice.
11. CONTAGIOUS BOVINE PLEUROPNEUMONIA (CCBP)
CBPP also known as lung plague,is a contagious bacterial disease that afflicts
the lungs of cattle, buffalo, zebu, and yaks.It is caused by the bacterium Mycoplasma mycoides
and the symptoms are pneumonia and inflammation of the lung membranes. The incubation
period is 20 to 123 days
occurs principally in winter and spring when the animals are more closely confined than in the
summer..
Clinical Findings
In acute cases,fever up to 107°F (41.5°C); anorexia; and painful, difficult breathing. The disease
progresses rapidly, animals lose condition, and breathing becomes very labored, with a grunt at
expiration. The animal becomes recumbent and dies after 1–3 wk. Chronically affected cattle
usually exhibit signs of varying intensity for 3–4 wk, after which the lesions gradually resolve
and the animals appear to recover.

8. TREATMENT AND CONTROL:the disease can be eradicated by quarantine, blood testing, and
slaughter. Treatment is recommended only in endemic areas because the organisms may not
be eliminated, and carriers may develop. Tylosin and danofloxacin 2.5% have been reported to
be effective.