Cattle Diseases - Blackleg

BLACKLEG

Blackleg is a highly fatal disease of young cattle caused by the spore forming, rod shaped, gas producing bacteria Clostridium chauvoei. The spores of the organism can live in the soil for many years. The bacteria enters the calf by ingestion and then gains entrance to the body through small punctures in the mucous membrane of the digestive tract. Cattle that are on a high plane of nutrition, rapidly gaining weight and between 6 months and 2 years of age are most susceptible to the disease. The disease is not transmitted directly from sick animals to healthy animals by mere contact.

The first sign observed is usually lameness, loss of appetite, rapid breathing and the animal is usually depressed and has a high fever. Characteristic swellings develop in the hip, shoulder, chest, back, neck or elsewhere. First the swelling is small, hot and painful. As the disease progresses, the swelling enlarges and becomes spongy and gaseous. If you press the swelling, gas can be felt under the skin. The animal usually dies in 12 to 48 hours. In most cases the animal is found dead without being previously observed sick. The speed with which blackleg kills usually makes individual treatment useless.

Blackleg is almost entirely preventable by vaccination. The most commonly used clostridial vaccination in cattle is the 7-way type which protects against Clostridium chauveoi (blackleg), Clostridium septicum and Clostridium sordelli (malignant edema), Clostridium novyi (black disease), and three types of Clostridium perfringens (enterotoxemia).

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Cattle Today, Inc. makes no representations about the suitability or accuracy of any of the information contained in this site. All information is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind. Any use of the content on this site is at the risk of the user. In no event shall Cattle Today, Inc. be liable for any damages whatsoever resulting from loss arising out of or in connection with the use of any information available from this site. This information is not intended to be used as an alternative to consulting with a health care professional or other qualified professional. If you need advice on a cattle health problem please contact your local veterinarian.

Diseases of Cattle HOME ANAPLASMOSIS ANTHRAX BLACKLEG BLOAT BRUCELLOSIS BSE BVD CALF SCOURS CANCER EYE COCCIDIOSIS FOOT AND MOUTH FOOT ROT GRASS TETANY IBR EXTERNAL PARASITES INTERNAL PARASITES JOHNE'S DISEASE LEPTO LISTERIOSIS LUMPY JAW NEOSPOROSIS PINKEYE RINGWORM TRICHOMONIASIS VIBRIOSIS WARTS WOODEN TONGUE LINKS	BLACKLEG Blackleg is a highly fatal disease of young cattle caused by the spore forming, rod shaped, gas producing bacteria Clostridium chauvoei. The spores of the organism can live in the soil for many years. The bacteria enters the calf by ingestion and then gains entrance to the body through small punctures in the mucous membrane of the digestive tract. Cattle that are on a high plane of nutrition, rapidly gaining weight and between 6 months and 2 years of age are most susceptible to the disease. The disease is not transmitted directly from sick animals to healthy animals by mere contact. The first sign observed is usually lameness, loss of appetite, rapid breathing and the animal is usually depressed and has a high fever. Characteristic swellings develop in the hip, shoulder, chest, back, neck or elsewhere. First the swelling is small, hot and painful. As the disease progresses, the swelling enlarges and becomes spongy and gaseous. If you press the swelling, gas can be felt under the skin. The animal usually dies in 12 to 48 hours. In most cases the animal is found dead without being previously observed sick. The speed with which blackleg kills usually makes individual treatment useless. Blackleg is almost entirely preventable by vaccination. The most commonly used clostridial vaccination in cattle is the 7-way type which protects against Clostridium chauveoi (blackleg), Clostridium septicum and Clostridium sordelli (malignant edema), Clostridium novyi (black disease), and three types of Clostridium perfringens (enterotoxemia). To ask a question about a cattle disease, CLICK HERE and get an answer! Cattle Today Online is the cattleman's guide to the cattle business. Take your time and look around. You'll find the net's best cattle news, free livestock classified ads, free ranch listing, the latest USDA livestock market report, free ranch email, Baxter Black, thousands of links and a free newsletter just for ranchers. Or make someone smile by sending them a Cow Card!

	Cattle Today, Inc. makes no representations about the suitability or accuracy of any of the information contained in this site. All information is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind. Any use of the content on this site is at the risk of the user. In no event shall Cattle Today, Inc. be liable for any damages whatsoever resulting from loss arising out of or in connection with the use of any information available from this site. This information is not intended to be used as an alternative to consulting with a health care professional or other qualified professional. If you need advice on a cattle health problem please contact your local veterinarian.
		Information contained in this article from one or more of the following: Alabama Cooperative Extension System South Carolina Extension Service Nebraska Extension Service Oklahoma State Cooperative Extension Service University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension University of Minnesota Extension Service
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ANAPLASMOSIS ANTHRAX BLACKLEG BLOAT BRUCELLOSIS BSE BVD CALF SCOURS CANCER EYE COCCIDIOSIS FOOT AND MOUTH FOOT ROT GRASS TETANY IBR EXTERNAL PARASITES INTERNAL PARASITES JOHNE'S DISEASE LEPTO LISTERIOSIS LUMPY JAW NEOSPOROSIS PINKEYE RINGWORM TRICHOMONIASIS VIBRIOSIS WARTS WOODEN TONGUE LINKS

BLACKLEG

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