Contents
Rabies in cattle is a dangerous disease that can be transmitted not only from animal to animal, but also to humans. Infection is carried out after a bite by a sick cattle, when saliva gets on the wound, if the meat of an animal with rabies was eaten. As practice shows, cattle is the most susceptible to rabies, which is why it is so important to carry out timely prevention and diagnosis of the disease.
Pathogenesis
In veterinary medicine, rabies is described as an infectious disease that affects the central nervous system of an animal. In an infected individual, inflammatory and necrotic processes can be observed, resulting in asphyxia or cardiac arrest.
Rabies in cattle occurs in 2 types, depending on the source of infection:
- natural – this includes wild animals (wolves, foxes, mice);
- urban – domestic animals, cattle.
The causative agent of this infectious disease is the Neuroryctes rabid virus, belonging to the Rhabdoviridae family and having a bullet shape. This virus is widespread throughout the world, with the exception of only Antarctica and some island states.
After the virus enters the animal’s body, it enters the spleen, after which it spreads along the nerve pathways. The rabies virus is stable in the external environment, as a result of which it can remain viable for several months even at low temperatures.
clinical picture
As practice shows, rabies in cattle can occur in a violent or calm form. The violent stage has the following symptoms:
- a high level of irritability, manifested in sudden movements, as well as in relation to other cows and domestic animals;
- sweating;
- profuse salivation;
- frequent urination.
At a calm stage of the course of the disease, animals begin to differ from other individuals in atypical lethargy, appetite disappears. Infected cows lose milk, the ruminant reflex is absent, and there are difficulties in swallowing.
It is important to take into account the fact that the described symptoms for a calm and violent form of the course of the disease are characteristic only for the initial stage of rabies. 2-3 days after the onset of the first symptoms of the disease, paralysis of the lower jaw can be observed, then the limbs fail, and death occurs.
In addition, among the main symptoms of rabies, there is an increased reaction to extraneous noise, bright light. These reactions are often accompanied by convulsions, weight loss. Some animals lose their sight.
Diagnostics
The diagnosis can only be made after a complete comprehensive examination of the cattle has been made. Unfortunately, rabies in animals today is not subject to treatment, so the disease almost always ends in death.
If during the diagnosis individuals were identified that had or could have had contact with infected cows, then they are first isolated and placed in a separate room, after which a veterinary examination is carried out on a regular basis.
As a rule, high titers of the virus can be detected postmortem during the study of the cerebral cortex, the medulla oblongata. Much less concentration in saliva.
If infected animals are found, they are killed and the corpses are burned. The rest of the cattle is subject to immunization.
Prevention
The most effective way to protect cattle from rabies is the timely implementation of preventive immunization measures. Veterinarians for these purposes use domestic and foreign vaccines.
Rabies vaccines can be:
- brain – are made on the basis of brain tissue taken from animals susceptible to rabies;
- embryonic – includes embryos from poultry;
- cultural – Rabies virus is used in the manufacturing process.
Only completely healthy cattle should be vaccinated. Weak individuals, emaciated, sick and lactating cows are not vaccinated. After the vaccination has been made, it is necessary to monitor the behavior of the cow for 3-4 days.
Vaccines against rabies in cattle
For inoculation of animals use the following scheme;
- calves are vaccinated against rabies for the first time at the age of 6 months;
- the next vaccination is done after 2 years.
After the introduction of the drug, biochemical processes occur, as a result of which the susceptibility of cells to the causative agent of rabies decreases. As you know, all modern vaccines are made on the basis of a virus strain.
The permissible dosage is 1 ml, the drug must be administered intramuscularly. Before administering the cattle vaccine, it is necessary that the animals are pre-examined by a veterinarian and assessed for their general condition. It is recommended to vaccinate only completely healthy individuals.
Other protection methods
In addition to using a vaccine, it is worth resorting to other methods of protecting cattle. The first thing the farmer must do is keep it clean. Cleaning of premises in which cattle are kept should be in the first place. As a rule, disinfection of premises is carried out on a regular basis. In addition, it is not allowed to expose cows to contact with wild animals.
It is also necessary:
- create safe conditions, as a result of which the attack of wild animals will be minimized;
- destroy rodents;
- vaccinate dogs in a timely manner if they are used to guard the farm;
- vaccinate healthy individuals;
- if infected individuals are identified, immediately isolate them.
This is the only way to protect your farm from the appearance of a deadly disease – rabies.
Veterinary regulations for animal rabies
Veterinary guidelines for animal rabies contain a set of rules for disease prevention.
According to these data, all farmers and pet owners should:
- follow the rules for keeping pets;
- to deliver animals in due time to the veterinary inspector for examination and vaccination;
- carry out registration of the owned KRS;
- keep unvaccinated dogs out of the farm;
- protect the farm from the penetration of wild animals;
- notify the veterinarian immediately if an infectious outbreak is detected on the farm.
These sanitary rules must be observed by everyone without exception.
Conclusion
Cattle rabies is a common type of disease that almost every farmer had to deal with. It is possible to protect cattle from a deadly disease only if animals are vaccinated in a timely manner. Before you start using the drug, it is recommended to first consult with a veterinarian or entrust this matter to a professional.
