Rainy Season Ailments in Cattle

Rainy Season Ailments in Cattle

Neeraj Shrivastava, Ankush Kiran Niranjan*, Arpita Shrivastava, Kumar Govil, Priya Singh

College of Veterinary Science & Animal Husbandry, Rewa (M.P.)

Introduction

The rainy season brings much-needed relief from the scorching heat but also poses unique challenges for cattle health. Increased moisture and altered vegetation can lead to the proliferation of toxic plants, fungi, and bacteria, which pose a threat to the grazing animals.

Common Ailments:

1. Plant Poisoning:

• Several plants become more prevalent during rains, containing toxins that can harm cattle. Some common culprits include:
  1. Milkweed:Contains cardiac glycosides that disrupt heart rhythm, causing weakness, heart failure, and death.
  2. Bracken Fern:Contains thiaminase, an enzyme that destroys thiamine (vitamin B1), leading to neurological problems, weakness, and loss of appetite.
  3. Jimsonweed:Contains tropane alkaloids, causing hallucinations, disorientation, tremors, and paralysis.
  4. Black Cherry:Contains prussic acid (hydrogen cyanide), which disrupts cellular respiration, leading to rapid breathing, convulsions, and death.
• Symptoms:Symptoms vary depending on the specific plant toxin but may include:
  • Digestive issues: Diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain.
  • Neurological signs: Weakness, tremors, ataxia (incoordinated movement), seizures.
  • Respiratory problems: Rapid breathing, difficulty breathing.
  • Cardiac issues: Irregular heartbeat, weakness.
  • Liver damage: Jaundice, photosensitivity.
• Treatment:Treatment depends on the specific toxin and severity of poisoning. It may involve:
  • Removing the animal from the toxic source.
  • Administering activated charcoal to absorb toxins.
  • Providing supportive care with fluids and electrolytes.
  • Using specific antidotes for certain toxins, if available.
• Control and Prevention:
  • Grazing Management:Rotate pastures and avoid areas known to have toxic plants.
  • Plant Identification:Learn to identify common poisonous plants in your region and remove them from grazing areas.
  • Supplementation:Provide adequate nutrition through mineral licks or supplements to reduce the need for cattle to graze on undesirable plants.

2. Lightning Strike:

• Direct lightning strike or contact with a charged object/ground can cause severe electrical trauma.
• Symptoms:Symptoms are immediate and can range from mild to fatal. They may include:
  • Collapse and unconsciousness.
  • Muscle tremors and rigidity.
  • Burns at the point of contact.
  • Cardiac arrest and respiratory failure.
• Treatment:Unfortunately, lightning strike often results in immediate death. However, if the animal is still alive, immediate veterinary care is crucial. Supportive care may involve:
  • Artificial respiration.
  • Fluid and electrolyte therapy.
  • Pain management.
• Control and Prevention:While lightning strikes are unpredictable, some measures can help:
  • Provide adequate lightning protection:Install lightning rods in pastures or offer sturdy shelters for animals to seek refuge during storms.
  • Monitor weather forecasts:Move cattle to secure areas when storms are imminent.

3. Bloat (Ruminal Tympany):

• Aetiological Agents:Bloat occurs due to excessive gas accumulation in the rumen (first stomach) caused by rapid fermentation of readily digestible carbohydrates and leguminous forages, often during rainy seasons when lush green forage is abundant.
• Symptoms:Symptoms develop rapidly and can be life-threatening. They include:
  • Distended rumen on the left side of the abdomen.
  • Difficulty breathing due to pressure on the diaphragm.
  • Restlessness, anxiety.
  • Salivation and frothing at the mouth.
• Treatment:Early intervention is critical. Treatment methods include:
  • Trocarization: A veterinarian inserts a hollow tube into the rumen to release gas.
  • Rumen massage: Stimulates gas release by gentle manipulation of the rumen through the abdominal wall.
  • Anti-foaming agents: Administered orally or through a stomach tube to break down rumen foam and facilitate gas release.
• Control and Prevention:
  • Grazing Management:Introduce cattle to lush pastures gradually to allow rumen adaptation.
  • Feeding Management:Provide roughage (hay, straw) along with fresh forage to promote a balanced rumen environment.
  • Vaccination:Consider vaccinating cattle against specific clostridial bacteria that contribute to bloat.

4. Parasitic Diseases:

• Heavy rains can create ideal breeding grounds for parasites like liver fluke, lungworms, and gastrointestinal nematodes.
• Symptoms:Symptoms vary depending on the specific parasite but may include:
• Diarrhea, weight loss.
• Pale mucous membranes (anemia).
• Coughing (lungworms).
• Potbelly appearance (liver fluke).
• Treatment:Treatment involves deworming with broad-spectrum parasiticides based on the diagnosed parasite. Veterinarians can perform fecal examinations to identify the specific parasite and recommend appropriate medication.
• Control and Prevention:
  • Strategic Deworming:Implement a strategic deworming program based on fecal examinations and recommendations from a veterinarian.
  • Pasture Management:Rotate pastures regularly to break parasite life cycles.
  • Manure Management:Properly dispose of manure to prevent parasite contamination of pastures.

5. Bacterial Diseases:

Stagnant water and muddy conditions can promote the spread of bacterial diseases like blackleg, haemorrhagic septicaemia, and footrot.

1. a) Blackleg:

• Caused by Clostridium chauvoei, a spore-forming bacterium found in soil.
• Spores are highly resistant to environmental factors and can persist in the soil for years.
• Cattle become infected by ingesting spores while grazing.

• Symptoms:Blackleg is an acute, often fatal disease characterized by:
  • Sudden onset of high fever.
  • Lameness, swelling, and gas accumulation in muscles, particularly in the hindquarters, shoulder, or chest.
  • Crackling sound upon palpating the swollen area (due to gas accumulation).
  • Depression, lethargy.
  • Death can occur within hours to a few days.
• Treatment:Treatment for blackleg is often limited due to the rapid progression of the disease. However, if caught early, a veterinarian may attempt:
  • Administration of high doses of antibiotics specially penicillin group.
  • Surgical debridement (removal of dead tissue) in some cases.
• Control and Prevention:
  • Vaccination:Vaccination against Clostridium chauvoei is the most effective preventive measure. Vaccinate cattle according to a veterinarian’s recommendations.
  • Minimize Stress:Minimize stress factors like overcrowding and transportation during the rainy season to strengthen the immune system.
  • Pasture Management:Avoid overgrazing pastures, which can expose cattle to higher concentrations of spores in the soil.

1. b) Haemorrhagic Septicaemia (HS):

• Caused by Pasteurella multocidaserotype B:2, a bacterium commonly found in the upper respiratory tract of healthy cattle and buffalo.
• Outbreaks are more frequent during the rainy season due to factors like stress, overcrowding, and compromised immune systems.

• Symptoms:HS is an acute, highly fatal disease characterized by:
  • Sudden onset of high fever.
  • Depression, lethargy.
  • Difficulty breathing.
  • Nasal discharge (may become mucopurulent in later stages).
  • Swelling in brisket or hindquarters (less common than in blackleg).
  • Petechiae (tiny red hemorrhages) on mucous membranes and internal organs.
  • Death can occur within hours to a few days.
• Treatment:Early intervention is critical. Treatment involves:
  • Prompt administration of broad-spectrum antibiotics by a veterinarian.
  • Supportive care with fluids and electrolytes.
• Control and Prevention:
  • Vaccination:Vaccination against Pasteurella multocida is the most effective preventive measure. Vaccinate cattle according to a veterinarian’s recommendations.
  • Minimize Stress:Minimize stress factors like overcrowding and transportation during the rainy season to strengthen the immune system.
  • Biosecurity:Implement biosecurity measures to prevent the introduction of the disease to healthy animals. Isolate sick animals and thoroughly disinfect shared equipment.

1. c) Footrot:

• Caused by the bacterium Fusobacterium necrophorumthat thrives in wet, muddy conditions prevalent during the rainy season.

• Symptoms:Footrot typically affects the hooves, causing:
• Lameness, favoring one or both hooves.
• Swollen, reddened skin between the toes.
• Foul odor from the infected area.
• In severe cases, detachment of the hoof wall.
• Treatment:Early detection and treatment are crucial to prevent complications. Treatment may involve:
• Trimming away necrotic tissue (dead tissue).
• Cleaning and disinfecting the affected area.
• Applying topical antibiotics.
• Administering systemic antibiotics in severe cases.
• Control and Prevention:
• Hoof Trimming:Regular hoof trimming allows for early detection of problems and promotes hoof health.
• Footbaths:Set up footbaths with disinfectant solutions for cattle to walk through regularly, especially during the rainy season.
• Minimize Mud:Improve drainage in pastures to reduce mud accumulation.
• Vaccination:Consider vaccination against Fusobacterium necrophorum to reduce the risk of infection.

Conclusion:

The rainy season presents unique challenges for cattle health. Farmers and ranchers can safeguard their herds and minimize the risk of illness by understanding the common toxicities, their causes, symptoms, and implementing effective prevention and control strategies. Early detection and prompt veterinary intervention are crucial for successful treatment and animal recovery.

CONSULTING A VETERINARIAN IS ALWAYS RECOMMENDED FOR PROPER DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT PLANS

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