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There are a number of infectious diseases cattle may obtain, below I have listed some of them, symptoms, prevention and control.
Blackleg- Symptoms will be lameness, swelling of the flanks, thighs, breast, neck and shoulder, high fever, severe depression and loss of appetite. Death can occur very quickly. This is caused by an anaerobic bacterium. Sometimes massive doses of antibiotics will save a cow if given early.
Bluetongue- Cattle are sometimes affected by this disease which is caused by a virus transmitted by insets of the Culicoides sp. Symptoms include a blue tongue, high fever, depression, rapid weight loss, reddened mucous membrane of the mouth which turns it purplish or blue in color, weakness, eye discharge, etc. Good nursing can save some animals and also some antibiotis.
Bovine pulmonary emphysems- The cause is unknown, symptoms are labored and rapid breathing, grunting and sometimes breathing through the mouth and frothing at the mouth. Temperature usually remains normal and appetite is good. Consult for veterinarian for treatment.
Bovine virus arrhea- This is caused by a virus, symptoms are diarrhea and dehydration, nasal discharge, depression and rapid breathing and going partially off feed. Antibiotics can effectively combat the bacterial aspects of this disease, consult your veterinarian.
Brucellosis- Caused by Brucelia abortus, B. suis, and B. melitensis, symptoms are abortion in the last third of pregnancy, retained afterbirth, uterine and having several services for conception. Consult your veterinarian but usually there is no cure.
Calf diphtheria- Caused by Spherophorus necrophorus, a soil organism, symptoms include breathing difficulty, drooling, problems with eating and drinking, and dead tissue. Consult your veterinarian for treatment.
Calf scours- Caused by virus and bacteria, can be a reo-virus and a corona virus. Symptoms are depression, loss of appetite, diarrhea, rough coat, sunken eyes and in acute cases death. Discontinue feeding milk and consult your veterinarian.
Circling disease- Caused by Listeria monocytogenes, a bacterial infection, symptoms include staggerinc, circling, strange movement and depression and cows may abort. Consult your veterinarian immediately for treatment and isolate
the calves.
Cowpox- Caused by a virus, with symptoms of reddish, painful spots on the udder that can turn to blisters. Consult your veterinarian for treatment.
Fescue foot- Cause is unknown, symptoms are varying as some show no apparent lameness, others show degrees of lameness. Taking the cattle from fescue pasture or fescue hay and giving other feeds sometimes helps.
Foot-and-mouth disease- Caused by small filtrable viruses, symptoms include water blisters in the mouth or on the skin by the claws on the hoof and on the teats and udders, also fever. Consult your veterinarian but there can be heavy loss.
Foot rot- Spherophorus necrophorus is the the major cause, symptoms include lameness, reddening skin above the hoof, between the toes and the bulb of the heel. Try to trim away the affected part of the foot, take off any foreign bodies and also consult your veterinarian.
Foothill abortion- Caused by Psittacoid virus, symptoms are abortion from three to six months, calves stillborn and weak. Consult your veterinarian.
Infectious bovine rhinotracheltis- Caused by a virus, symptom include pain in swallowing, loss of weight, slobbering and a nasal discharge. Consult your veterinarian.
Infectious embolic meningoencephalltis- Caused by a hemophiluslike gram-negative bacteria. Symptoms include comma, blindness and fever and usually death. If identified early, a veterinarian may help with treatment.
Johne's Disease- Caused my mycobacterium parauberculosis, a bacteria, symptoms include loss of flesh, diarrhea, constipation, feces are watery but still have normal odor. Consult you veterinarian for possible treatment.
Leptospirosis- Causes by organisms of the spirochete group. Symptoms include bloody urine, abortion, ropy milk and poor appetite. Consult your veterinarian immediately.
Lumpy jaw and wooden tongue- Caused by actinomyces bovis and Actinobacillus lignieresei. Symptoms include a lump jaw, inflamed tissue and a pus discharge and loose teeth. Consult your veterinarian.
There are many other diseases of cattle but the above mentioned are predominant. Consult your veterinarian if you notice anything unusual in your cattle's actions or health.
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