Clostridial Diseases
Dairy Cattle Disease

Disease description

Clostridial diseases go by many names depending on the specific bacteria causing the disease, or the clinical signs associated with it. Blackleg, red water, overeating disease, enterotoxemia and tetanus are all clostridial diseases.

Bacteria that cause clostridial diseases are common in soil and the intestinal tract, and are usually harmless. Under the right conditions, however, the bacteria grow rapidly and release toxins, quickly destroying tissue and often causing death. For example, engorgement with milk or grain may slow digestion, allowing bacteria time to multiply. Some clostridial bacteria need an oxygen-free environment, such as a damaged muscle, so a deep bruise, surgery such as tail docking, castration or a puncture wound can create the right conditions for rapid bacterial growth.

Clostridium perfringens Type A is an emerging economic concern for dairy producers because of its association with serious and often deadly gastrointestinal disease in both cows and calves. This anaerobic bacteria strain is associated with hemorrhagic bowel syndrome (HBS) in mature cows, which strikes apparently healthy animals without much warning and results in an estimated fatality rate of 85 percent or higher. Clostridium perfringens Type A also can be deadly in calves, and is commonly isolated in cases where abomasal ulcers and hemorrhage are found.

Clinical signs

Clostridial diseases progress rapidly and sudden death is often the first and only sign of disease. In the case of tetanus, signs include muscle spasms, rigid limbs, extreme sensitivity to touch and sound, and death within 3-10 days. Clostridium perfringens Type A is associated with hemorrhagic bowel syndrome (HBS), which causes blood clots in the intestines, leading to enlarged and/or obstructed bowels. Clinical signs of HBS include sudden anorexia, dark tar-like feces, often containing clots of digested blood, and abdominal distention. Clostridium perfringens Type A in calves causes quick onset of abdominal distension with pain, bloat, depression and feed refusal. Clostridium perfringens Types C and D cause severe abdominal pain, diarrhea, depression and convulsions.

Disease prevention

Close animal contact, moist conditions, early weaning and intensive feeding all increase the importance of a vaccination program to prevent clostridial disease in dairy herds.

Clostri Shield 7 from Novartis Animal Health is a 7-way clostridial vaccine that is proven effective against a broad spectrum of clostridial bacteria. Clostri Shield 7 aids in the prevention of blackleg caused by C. chauvoei, malignant edema caused by C. septicum, black disease caused by C. novyi, gas gangrene caused by C. sordellii and enterotoxemia caused by C. perfringens Types B, C and D.

Antitoxin products also are an effective approach to preventing clostridial diseases. Novartis Animal Health’s clostridial antitoxins, Antitox Tet and Clostratox, are prepared from the blood of horse hyperimmunized with specific toxins of Clostridium perfringens Types C and D and C. tetani. Antitox Tet should be given prior to any surgery such as castration or tail docking. Clostratox should be given as a preventive in herds with high incidence of illness.

Because treatment success is rare in hemorrhagic bowel syndrome or in disease syndromes caused by C. perfringens Type A, emphasis is placed on preventative measures. Clostridium Perfringens Type A Toxoid from Novartis Animal Health is the first USDA conditionally licensed cattle vaccine to aid in the control of disease syndromes caused by the alpha toxin of C. perfringens.

Disease treatment

Clostridial diseases are difficult to treat because they progress so rapidly. Prevention, through proper management and vaccination, is far more effective. Antitox Tet and Clostratox can be used to treat disease as well as prevent it, but must be given at much higher doses. Antitoxins should be used in conjunction with antibiotic therapy.