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Colibacillosis in calves is caused by microorganisms that live in the intestines of cattle. The disease has another name – escherichiosis of calves. It is characterized by severe dehydration, general intoxication of the young body of the calf, after which death often occurs. The disease can overtake cows in adulthood. An individual that has undergone colibacillosis becomes a carrier of this infection. However, dairy calves under the age of one week, as well as animals with a weakened immune system, are most often exposed to Escherichiosis.
What is colibacillosis
Colibacillosis is an acute infectious disease of the gastrointestinal tract of young animals. It occurs in the first days after the birth of a calf, has different forms of manifestation. It is characterized by the ingestion of pathogenic species of Escherichia coli, which have invasive properties. Escherichia (E. coli) can enter the body of a calf through a dirty udder, milk, which contains the pathogen. A sick newborn calf excretes microorganisms with urine and feces into the external environment. Thus, all young animals on the farm can get sick with colibacillosis.
Colibacillosis was first identified at the beginning of the XNUMXth century. Professor Obich determined that this disease is contagious and dangerous to the whole livestock. They called the disease white diarrhea of suckers. Further, it was determined that colibacillosis has different forms of manifestation. In the twentieth century, research was continued by such veterinary specialists as Vishnevsky, Mikhin, Tsven and others. They discovered serotypes, developed methods of treatment and prevention of colibacillosis.
The causative agent of colibacillosis in calves and cows are pathogenic strains of Escherichia coli. They are classified as gram-negative anaerobic microorganisms that are capable of producing toxins. They cause dysbacteriosis in the calf’s body, inflammation of the intestines, stomach and other digestive organs, as well as lymph nodes. E. coli are unstable to environmental changes. When boiled, they die instantly, in hot water up to 60 ° C – after 15-20 minutes. In the soil, a humid environment can live 3-4 months. Of the disinfectants, bleach, phenol and formalin act on the causative agents of colibacillosis. Other disinfectants are not so effective.
The disease has several stages: acute, subacute and superacute. In addition, according to localization, colibacillosis can occur in three forms:
- enteric – a rather mild form, in which bacteria inhabit the mucous membrane of the small intestine of the calf, while releasing endotoxin;
- the enterotoxic form of colibacillosis develops when microorganisms attach to the epithelium, releasing an exotoxin that disrupts intestinal motility and makes it difficult to remove harmful substances;
- the septic form is the most difficult, since the pathogen penetrates into the blood, lymph.
With any of these forms of manifestation of colibacillosis, immediate veterinary care will be required, otherwise the disease will be fatal.
Colibacillosis is widespread. Most outbreaks of the disease are recorded during the calving season – in winter and spring. Most often, infections are susceptible to cattle in the stall method of keeping. The epidemic of colibacillosis occurs with the appearance of the causative agent of the disease when the maximum concentration is reached and in the presence of infection routes for further spread of the infection. Experienced farm owners fight calf colibacillosis with a special vaccine.
Causes of escherichiosis in calves
Like all other infectious diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, colibacillosis is transmitted by the fecal-oral route. Sources of the disease can be:
- non-observance of sanitary and hygienic rules by the personnel of the farm;
- infected feed, contaminated water;
- milk, colostrum from a sick cow, which is a carrier of colibacillosis;
- dirty udder;
- stale bedding, contaminated inventory;
- lack of timely vaccination of calves;
- urine, faeces of infected animals.
In addition, there are a number of factors that negatively affect the development of the disease. These include poor conditions for keeping cattle, inadequate, unbalanced nutrition of animals, poor quality feed, lack of vitamins and trace elements in the diet. An important factor is the genetic predisposition of the calf to colibacillosis.
Symptoms of colibacillosis in calves
Clinical manifestations of the disease depend on the form of colibacillosis, as well as on the age of the calf.
The subacute course of the infection is more characteristic of the enteric form of the disease. Calves that are born more than a week ago usually get sick. They begin to have diarrhea, their general condition worsens, and conjunctivitis develops. Most of the time they spend lying down, some instability is noticeable when moving. Often, animals develop complications: pathologies of the knee and hock joints, rapid breathing, nasal discharge.
In newborn calves under the age of one week, colibacillosis occurs in an acute form. In babies, foaming diarrhea is observed, there is no appetite, the general condition is weak. In the feces, traces of blood, mucus, colostrum clots are noticeable. The temperature can rise to 41-42 °C. The belly of the calf is swollen, the mucous membranes are pale, all signs of dehydration are present. But with timely treatment of colibacillosis, the prognosis is favorable.
The mortality rate of calves with hyperacute development of colibacillosis reaches almost 100%. The disease manifests itself in the first three days of the animal’s life. It is characterized by an increase in temperature, rapid exhaustion. The calves are lying down, there is no appetite. Within a few days they die from sepsis.
The enteric form of the disease is characterized by:
- persistent diarrhea;
- there is blood and mucus in the feces;
- dehydration, exhaustion;
- sunken sides, eyelids.
The septic form of colibacillosis manifests itself:
- general depression of the state of the calf;
- increased heart rate, respiration;
- fever;
- diarrhea is not observed.
Sometimes colibacillosis occurs in a mixed form. In this case, all the symptoms manifest themselves simultaneously to a greater or lesser extent.
Diagnosis of escherichiosis in cattle
An accurate diagnosis is established on the basis of laboratory tests. They include biological, serological, bacteriological and microscopic diagnostic methods. In calves, feces are taken for analysis from the rectum or after a bowel movement. In the laboratory, the strain is determined and then drug therapy is started.
The microscopic method allows you to recognize the causative agent of colibacillosis in a stained and unstained state using a microscope. The biological or experimental research method artificially reproduces the clinical picture of the infection in laboratory animals and makes it possible to identify the pathogen. Serological identification of a microorganism is based on the determination of antibodies and antigens using reactions. Bacteriological studies, which take place in several stages, reveal a pure culture of bacteria.
The diagnosis of colibacillosis is considered established in the following cases:
- when isolating a pure culture of Escherichia from at least two organs or tissues (blood, bone marrow, spleen, heart), without determining their pathogenicity for mice or chickens;
- isolation of Escherichia with 1-2 types of antigens from the test material;
- secretions from the material of Escherichia, which belong to pathogenic serogroups.
Treatment of colibacillosis in cattle
Once an accurate diagnosis has been made, the calf should be treated immediately. Veterinarians use bacteriophage, gamma globulin, and hyperimmune serum against colibacillosis in calves. Of the antibiotics, chloramphenicol, biomycin, gentamicin and some other drugs are considered the most effective. Symptomatic agents are prescribed to remove toxins from the body of the calf. In addition, it is necessary to replenish the loss of vitamins, trace elements and fluids.
First of all, the sick calf must be isolated from the mother, transferred to a separate room. Instead of milk as a nutrient, the baby should be given saline with a raw chicken egg. Antibiotics are diluted with water before use, drink strictly by the hour several times a day.
Camphor oil, caffeine are injected subcutaneously with severe exhaustion of the calf. Serum is also applied only subcutaneously. After neutralization of the contents of the stomach with a water-salt solution, a bacteriophage is administered orally. To remove toxins from the body and restore the intestinal microflora, you need to put an enema on the calf. After treatment of colibacillosis with antibiotics, the calf should be given probiotics, such as bifidumbacterin or enterobifidin.
Infusions and decoctions strengthen the immune system of the calf, inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria, and improve the function of the gastrointestinal tract. However, they can be used as adjuvant therapy after consultation with a specialist.
Therefore, the treatment of colibacillosis should be comprehensive. Only then the therapy will be effective and give the expected result.
In addition to medical treatment, the calf must be on a strict diet from the onset of the disease. It is important to take care of restoring the water-salt balance in the baby’s body, as well as neutralizing the effects of toxins. You will need to replenish the loss of fluid and energy. Calves who have recovered from colibacillosis should be given vitamin supplements and microelements in their feed. After treatment, it is recommended to carefully monitor the general condition of the calf and its feces. It is necessary to transfer the animal to the usual diet gradually, without loading the mucous membrane of the stomach and intestines.
Pathological and anatomical changes in colibacillosis in calves
The corpse of an animal that died from colibacillosis is characterized by general exhaustion, sunken sides, and thin limbs. The calf’s coat is dull, in the area of the anus it is stained with feces, the skin is inflamed. The subacute form of colibacillosis is accompanied by damage to the respiratory system. In addition, the following changes are observed:
- hemorrhagic inflammation in the large intestine;
- swelling of the joints;
- inflammation of the walls of the stomach with hemorrhages;
- swelling of the veins;
- damage to the mucous membranes of the eyes;
- the gallbladder is full and distended;
- inflammation of the lymph nodes;
- dystrophic changes in the myocardium;
- enlargement of the spleen;
- signs of anemia in the liver, kidneys, mucous membranes.
At autopsy, the specialist notes traces of curdled milk in the abomasum, the remnants of undigested food with mucus in the intestines. There are multiple hemorrhages on the peritoneum.
Prevention of colibacillosis in young farm animals
To prevent colibacillosis in calves on the farm, a set of preventive measures should be taken. The most important thing that a cattle owner should do is to carry out a mandatory two-time vaccination a month before the cow calves. The calving must take place in clean conditions. Newborn calves should be left with their mother for a day, and then placed in a special disinfected box. All calves on the farm must be kept in a separate room and prevent contact between young animals and adults.
Other preventive measures include:
- compliance with all basic sanitary and hygienic standards in the barn;
- cleanliness of service personnel and care items;
- during calving, the calf should be taken in fresh straw or burlap;
- full feeding of a pregnant cow;
- vitamins and minerals in the diet;
- regular cleaning and disinfection of the barn;
- separate hotel room.
In the first hours after calving, a newborn calf must be given colostrum to form strong immunity and develop its own microflora.
Of the vaccines and sera that are used to treat and prevent colibacillosis in calves, the following drugs have proven themselves well:
- polyvalent vaccine, which is used before and after calving;
- polyvalent serum – drink to calves in accordance with age;
- coliprotectan VIEV – administered orally to the calf after birth once;
- bacteriophage – diluted with water and given to calves at the age of 1-4 months.
Only a veterinarian can determine the correct treatment regimen. In the farm where a sick animal is found, it is necessary to carry out all sanitary and veterinary measures. Sick calves are isolated from the herd to avoid mass infection. If infection is suspected, animals should be treated with bacteriophage or hyperimmune serum. When breeding cattle, you must comply with the standards of care and maintenance, with the slightest change in behavior, you should immediately contact a veterinarian to find out the reasons for this condition.
Conclusion
Colibacillosis in calves is quite difficult, since the first days of life are dangerous for animals. The infection is manifested by severe dehydration, rapid exhaustion, intoxication of the body, and complications from the nervous system. Therefore, when the first symptoms of the disease appear, you need to invite a veterinarian and follow his instructions. Do not try to treat the individual yourself, as this disease threatens the life of the animal. Colibacillosis is best prevented, so the owner needs to vaccinate the animals in a timely manner and take care that the infection does not spread to the entire herd.
