Understanding Haemorrhagic Septicaemia in Livestock

Understanding Haemorrhagic Septicaemia in Livestock: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention

Introduction:

Haemorrhagic Septicaemia, also known as Septicaemic Pasteurellosis or Barbone disease, is a severe disease affecting livestock. 

This blog post provides a comprehensive overview, covering its synonyms, introduction, etiology, epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical signs, necropsy findings, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.

I. Synonyms, Introduction, and Etiology:

- Synonyms: Septicaemic Pasteurellosis and Barbone disease.

- Introduction: Caused by Pasteurella multocida.

- Etiology: Types A to E linked to various diseases.

II. Epidemiology:

- Prevalence: Enzootic in tropical countries, economically significant in India.

- Outbreaks: Common in wet and humid weather.

- Morbidity and Fatality: Higher in buffaloes, with adult animals developing natural immunity.

III. Transmission and Host Affected:

- Transmission: Contaminated feed and water, ticks, and insect bites.

- Host Affected: Cattle, sheep, goats, yak, and water buffaloes highly susceptible. Horses and pigs less susceptible.

V. Pathogenesis:

- Entry: Organisms enter via tonsils, GI, and respiratory tracts.

- Circulation: Reaches heart, liver, and spleen, causing severe septicemia.

- Outcome: Often results in death within 24 hours; recovered animals develop immunity.

V. Clinical Signs:

- Symptoms: Acute septicaemic disease, fever, profuse salivation, sub-mucosal petechiation, depression, and warm, painful swellings.

- Respiratory Distress: Severe dyspnoea and enteritis in gastrointestinal form.

VI. Necropsy Findings:

- Hemorrhages: Generalized in serosa.

- Lungs: Edema, congestion, consolidation.

- Subcutaneous Area: Gelatinous fluid infiltration.

- Gastroenteritis: Haemorrhagic with thickening of interlobular septa.

VII. Diagnosis and Differential Diagnosis:

- Methods: Clinical signs, blood smear examination, culture isolation, and Elisa.

- Differential Diagnosis: Mycoplasmosis, chronic respiratory diseases, parasitic infection, pneumonic pasteurellosis.

VIII. Treatment:

- Antibiotics: Oxytetracycline, Sulphadimidine, Chloramphenicol, Ampicillin, Enrofloxacin, Ceftiofure.

- Anti-inflammatory: Betamethasone and Dexamethasone.

IX. Prevention and Control:

- Vaccine: Highly antigenic Pasteurella multocida strain, inactivated by formalin. Immunity lasts for about 6 months.

- Control Measures: Phenol treatment, vaccination before monsoon, stress avoidance.

Conclusion:

Understanding haemorrhagic septicaemia is crucial for livestock health. 

This blog post has provided a comprehensive guide, covering its causes, symptoms, treatment, and prevention. By implementing effective control measures, including vaccination and stress reduction, farmers can protect their livestock from this economically significant disease.