Clostridial diseases in cattle NSW Department （梭菌属的疾病在牛新南威尔士部门）.pdf

FEBRUARY 2007 PRIMEFACT 440 (REPLACES AGFACT A0.9.69) Clostridial diseases in cattle Dr Sarah Robson and neck stretched out, the third eyelid comes across the eye, and the nostrils are flared. Bloat is Regional Animal Health Leader, Animal Plant common. As the disease progresses, a ‘sawhorse’ Biosecurity, Wagga Wagga stance is adopted, and ‘lockjaw’ develops. Eventually the animal will not be able to stand and goes into ‘tetanic’ convulsions. Respiratory failure Introduction ends in death. Clostridial diseases are caused by bacteria of the genus Clostridium. Clostridia are widespread in the environment and are normally found in soil and faeces. They form highly resistant spores that can survive in the environment for very long periods. They are also present in the gastrointestinal tract and as spores in tissues of healthy animals. Not all species of clostridia cause disease, but those that do are usually fatal. They include the following: Clostridium Disease caused C. tetani Tetanus C. septicum Malignant oedema C. chauvoei Blackleg C. perfringens type D Enterotoxaemia (pulpy kidney) C. novyi Black disease C. botulinum Botulism Disease occurs when these bacteria enter the body (via cuts, abrasions or ingestion) and conditions in the body allow multiplication of the bacteria and/or toxin production.