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68 THE RURAL VOICE
FARM ADVICE
Leptospirosis in cattle increases
The number of cases of lep-
tospirosis in cattle has increased in
South Huron and North Middlesex
since the summer of 1985. Dr. E.
Sanford, D.V.M. at Centralia Col-
lege, reports that 12 to 18 farms
have been infected in this part of
the province beginning last sum-
mer and continuing into the fall
and winter.
Leptospirosis, a bacterial disease
spread by animal movement or
water, affects nearly all livestock
regardless of season, sex, or breed.
It is easily transferrable between
species or individual animals.
However, it is more commonly
found in cattle than hogs.
The major problem it causes,
Dr. Sanford says, is abortions
from mid to late gestation, usually
from the sixth month of pregnancy
to term in cattle. It should be
suspected when reproductive
failures are under consideration.
Other symptoms include, fever,
sickness, jaundice and reddish
urine. The reddish urine is the
result of the bacteria localizing in
the kidneys and liver. An autopsy
would show greyish white lesions
on the liver.
In dairy cattle there may be a
decrease in milk production, soft
udders, or the onset of mastitis.
These symptoms are not nearly as
prevalent as abortion or death.
Dr. Sanford points out that
death occurances are relatively
unusual, but some farms in the
area have had one or two animals
die from the disease. The mortality
rate in older cattle is only about
five per cent since natural im-
munities develop. Heifers are more
commonly affected and die more
easily.
"Twenty years ago the disease
was not a problem," reports Dr.
Sanford. Leptospirosis was actual-
ly discovered in man 15 years
before it was seen in dogs or cattle
in the 1930s. It wasn't diagnosed in
swine until the 1950s.
The chief carrier of the bacteria
is water, although it can be
transferred in bull semen and
through artificial insemination. It
is usually not a problem in A.I.
since standard concentrations of
penicillin and streptomycin are in-
cluded in the semen diluent.
The infected animal, whether
livestock or wildlife, urinates in the
water source, shedding the bacteria
and spirochetes which thrive in
moisture. When healthy animals
make contact with the water, the
bacteria enters the animal through
breaks in the skin or through the
mucous membranes of mouth,
nose, or eyes.
Survival of the organism
depends on soil and water condi-
tions in contaminated areas. A
temperature of 10 to 34 C allows
the bacteria to survive up to 183
days in water -saturated soil. The
spirochete will survive longer in
stagnant water.
Because of its ability to survive
in water, higher incidences of the
disease occur in heavily irrigated
pastures, areas of high rainfall,
marshy fields, or muddy feedlots
and pens. Also, the spillage of
lagoon material into a river or
water table system could result in
problems downstream.
Herd history is also important.
If a herd has previously had the
disease, it may happen again. Even
after recovery, animals can remain
carriers.
The disease can be diagnosed by
the use of blood -tests or by ex-
amining dead or unthrifty animals.
Since carriers do not always
show clinical signs of the disease,
the best treatment is prevention.
The same spirochete affects cattle,
hogs, and horses, so species should
be housed separately. Any suspect
should be immediately isolated
from the herd. Hygiene measures,
such as drainage of damp areas,
disinfecting pens used by infected
animals, fencing off unrequired
water holes, and avoiding conges-
tion should be followed.
"Once you start to intensify,
problems multiply dramatically,"
Dr. Sanford warns. "It's just the
same as any infectious disease."
Leptospirosis can affect up to 30
per cent of a herd at one time.
Streptomycin and the
tetracyclines are the most common
forms of vaccination against lep-
tospirosis.
Vaccination of animals less than
three months of age is often inef-
fective. However, vaccination of
cows in late pregnancy provides
immunity in calves. Also, vaccina-
tion is effective when animals are
i