Multiple Salmonella Outbreaks Diagnosed Locally
Recently, we have seen a massive increase in the number of cases of salmonellosis, with multiple farms facing production losses and sick animals following outbreaks of the disease. Cows present with little/no milk, khaki green diarrhoea, high temperatures and depression. While there are other diseases that can present similarly to this, it is important to call us to investigate if multiple cases are occurring on farm so that we can rule salmonella in or out for you. On some farms, the cows presented simply with production drops - but were otherwise bright and alert - so be on the look out for anything out of the ordinary.
The costs of salmonella are not insignificant, with major expense associated with treating the sick, huge production losses and, in severe cases, death of stock. Not to mention the added labour of managing the sick, the risk to human health, and potential impact on production for remainder of the season and the upcoming mating period.
Salmonella can be transmitted in a variety of ways including cow to cow (faecal-oral route), persistence in the environment, from carrier/chronically infected animals, from contaminated feed/water, and through vectors (such as birds and rodents). Importantly, shedding can be induced following a stress period, such as calving, inclement weather, feed changes, or being in a negative energy balance.
If salmonella is diagnosed on your farm, it is important to treat the sick (antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, fluids) and vaccinate the herd to prevent the spread and further cows from getting sick. We also encourage farmers to reduce the stocking rate to decrease the rate of spread between animals. In addition to this, please note that salmonella is a zoonotic disease, so is a risk to you and your staff. Please wear gloves and wash your hands regularly to protect yourself and others. Do not drink raw milk.
If you are at all concerned about the risk of salmonella or think you may have a case, please phone the clinic.
Yersinia in young stock
Another stress induced bacterial scour that we are seeing a lot of at the moment is yersiniosis. Seen in calves aged between three and twelve months, this infection is often associated with stress periods and can be spread very quickly among susceptible groups. Yesinia is a bug normally found in the gut but can over grow and cause scouring secondary to parasitism, copper or selenium deficiency, BVD, malnutrition, and stress events such as transportation. Often, it presents as a mob of calves that are ill thrifty, scouring, feverish and sick. Please call us if you suspect outbreak in any of your mobs for diagnosis and treatment. If you think yersinia is a particular concern on your farm a good option may be to provide immunosupport to the calves via a supplement such as multimin.
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