Lumpy nodular dermatitis. Causes and preventive measures. Virus in Russia and the former USSR

In case of untimely vaccination, infection of animals with infectious diseases is possible, for example, lumpy dermatitis of a large cattle. The death from the disease is up to 10% of the available livestock, this causes serious financial damage to the farm. In sick cows, milk production decreases, and growing young animals cease to please with weight gain. Coatings at this time are often unsuccessful, as the bulls become temporarily sterile.

Lumpy dermatitis in a calf

Historical digression

Initially, bovine lumpy skin disease was diagnosed in African countries in the early 20th century. Later, the disease hit the farms of India. Other names for this disease nodular dermatitis or tubercle. By 2014, the largest number of foci of infection was registered in Turkey, there were more than 200 of them.

In 2015 lumpy skin disease of cattle was brought to Russia. At the same time, the infection came to Dagestan and Armenia. By 2017, Serbia, Croatia, Macedonia and other countries were infected. On the this moment outbreaks of lumpy skin disease in cows are reported worldwide.

Sources of infection

Lumpy skin disease is a viral infection caused by a pathogen of the genus Capripoxvirus. Tubercle affects not only cows, it is also dangerous for goats or sheep.

Ways of transmission of the virus:

contact with sick animals;
through insect bites (usually mosquitoes or horseflies);
contact with slaughter products of sick animals or with their biological fluids;
seeded inventory;
contaminated feed;
sexual contact between animals.

A horsefly bite can cause illness

Infection occurs quickly, the disease affects from 5 to 45% of healthy livestock. The distribution mechanism is not fully understood by scientists. Not all animals kept in the same room get sick, some cows can stand next to infected individuals, but not be infected. Most often outbreaks of nodular dermatitis occur in the summer. Farms located in swampy lowlands are at particular risk. The disease lasts 3-4 weeks, but if complications occur, the recovery process may be delayed.

Attention! The causative agent that causes lumpy dermatitis in cattle is very tenacious!

The virus is able to endure up to 3 cycles of defrosting and freezing. At temperatures above 0 degrees Celsius, the pathogen can remain on surfaces with which infected cattle have come into contact for up to six months.

Symptoms and signs

The signs of lumpy skin disease in cattle are similar to those of smallpox, but do not have such a clear difference in stages. When infected, after 5-6 days, seals resembling tubercles begin to appear under the skin. Around each of them, the skin becomes inflamed, the diameter of the lesion can reach 20 cm. At this moment, the animal has a fever, weakness, and thirst. With a complicated course of the disease, muscle tissue is drawn into this process.

2-4 days after the temperature began to rise, the virus is already detected in blood samples. At this point, the mucous membranes are affected, and then the vessels. After the virus attacks the lymphatic system, non-healing wounds appear on the skin. In some cases, a septic complication and death of the cow occurs.

Symptoms of nodular dermatitis in cattle:

hyperthermia - an increase in body temperature over 40 degrees;
decreased appetite;
runny nose, lacrimation;
the formation of dense tubercles up to 0.5 cm high and up to 7 cm in diameter;
wool falls out in the center of the nodules and the necrotic process begins;
after 7-20 days, the affected areas dry up, and the crust disappears from them;
the milk of lactating cows becomes thick and pinkish;
enlarged lymph nodes;
ulcerations appear on the mucous membranes;
the onset of complete or partial blindness is possible;
sometimes there is an onset of suffocation.

Milk from lactating cows becomes thick and pinkish

With an atypical form of tubercles, animals develop diarrhea, fever, but no skin lesions. This course of the disease makes diagnosis difficult.

Attention! Atypical lumpy skin disease is most common in calves.

After recovery, skin tubercles disappear in animals, hair grows back. Lumpy dermatitis can give complications:

tracheitis;
pneumonia;
joint damage.

Bulls that have been ill often become sterile temporarily. Cows may also experience sexual problems, including the absence of estrus within 5-6 cycles.

Diagnosis

Lumpy skin disease in cattle is diagnosed by a veterinarian based on:

external inspection of livestock;
histological examination of tissues;
biological sample;
study of clinical data;
laboratory isolation of virus in samples.

Lumpy dermatitis is diagnosed in the laboratory

Only after a visual examination and research, the veterinarian establishes a diagnosis and prescribes treatment. Very often, nodular dermatitis is confused with other diseases that have similar symptoms:

demodicosis;
hives;
skin form of tuberculosis;
smallpox;
streptotrichosis;
epizootic lymphangitis;
consequences of tick bites or gadflies;
post-vaccination edema.

In order to give a correct conclusion, you need to know the differences between these diseases and lumpy dermatitis. Sometimes it is impossible to conduct clinical and laboratory studies for a number of reasons, in which case the diagnosis is made on the basis of an external examination.

Differences of nodular dermatitis from other diseases with similar symptoms:

when bitten by gadflies, the integrity of the skin over central part nodules;
with nodular dermatitis, unlike urticaria, the epidermis begins to separate along the edges of the tubercles;
smallpox most often affects only the udder of animals, the damage with it is superficial;
with tuberculosis in the skin form in cattle, there is no increase in body temperature;
with demodicosis, the epidermis becomes rigid and thickens;
with streptotrichosis, lesions are always symmetrical and concentrated in the area spinal column, when pressed on them, pus appears.

Sometimes, during the life of the animal, it is not possible to make a correct diagnosis, then a post-mortem autopsy and a pathoanatomical examination of tissues are performed.

Treatment and prevention

To prevent the disease of nodular dermatitis in cattle, a vaccine is given annually. This event gives immunity for 1 year. Calves can be vaccinated from 2 months of age. After an injection in 10% of animals, a nodule or swelling is observed, which disappears on its own within 2 weeks.

Attention! Only timely vaccination can avoid the disease of the livestock with lumpy dermatitis.

Infected animals are either isolated or eliminated, this will avoid the epidemic. Disinfection measures must be taken in places where livestock are kept. Sick animals are transferred to enhanced nutrition, fed with vitamins.

Most livestock recover on their own. The veterinarian must appoint symptomatic treatment.

Nitox 200

Therapy for lumpy dermatitis:

Nitoks 200 - according to the instructions.
Bicilin-5 - 3 million units daily for 4 days.
Tetravit - 5 ml per week.
Creolin - bathing procedure in it is carried out every 3-4 days.

In severe form of lumpy dermatitis, glucose and sodium chloride are additionally prescribed, 2 liters each during the week. You can also inject 5 ml of caffeine subcutaneously. Some farmers prefer to treat their livestock with folk methods, veterinarians do not recommend doing this. It is forbidden to eat milk and meat of sick animals. If the cow died from lumpy skin disease, then her body must be burned.

Cow dermatitis, or tubercle, is an infectious disease and primarily affects the skin of cows. Dermatitis in cattle appears as a result of contact with a sick animal, but there are also cases of tuberculous infection through dirty equipment, farmers' clothes, blood-sucking insects or birds. How to treat lumpy skin disease of cows depends on how advanced the disease is and what condition the cattle is in.

Lumpy dermatitis of cows

Also, lumpy dermatitis in a cow can appear even after the individual has been removed from the veterinary register. Due to this feature, outbreaks of infection can occur in the herd at different times and in different individuals. To prevent the spread of foci of infection, you need to keep the individual in quarantine, even if she has normal tests and the disease is completely cured. The fact is that the tubercle bacteria remain active for some time and can infect other individuals in the paddock. Such a disease is recorded in different climatic conditions, but most often in hot climates, so lumpy dermatitis of cattle in the Krasnodar Territory is not uncommon.

Also, the disease was recorded in many southern regions: in Dagestan, South Ossetia, Azerbaijan, India and other countries. In the heat, any bacteria multiply most actively, and a simple bite of midges can lead to the fact that the individual will constantly comb the affected area and bring other infections into the wound. Home prevention against such a disease is the observance of the conditions for keeping and caring for animals, then many infections can be avoided.

Symptoms of tubercles in cattle

Lumpy dermatitis of cows can not be detected immediately, since the first symptoms, if they are noticeable, are only a few days after infection. Most often, tubercles on the skin of cattle appear a week after infection, but reference materials indicate a period from 2 days to 45 days, so even in such a period of time, detection similar symptoms will indicate a possible lumpy dermatitis. The acute stage of the disease is typical mainly for young animals.

Main symptoms:

temperature 40°C;
lack of appetite;;
tear fluid oozes from the eyes
seals on the skin in the form of small pimples;
milk yields are reduced due to the general condition of the cattle.

Such symptoms are typical for the initial stage of the disease. Also, in each individual, these symptoms can occur in a different form. The initial scars change after some time, the skin on the scars separates from the outer layer. AT best case the depression in the skin is scarred. Such particles can spread the disease throughout the herd. If the disease was diagnosed in a dairy cow, then signs of tubercles can be found in milk.

In a cow, the milk becomes thick, during heat treatment it acquires a jelly-like form, and its color changes to pink. Infectious dermatitis in a cow can be diagnosed through tests and skin examination by an experienced veterinarian. You can see what lumpy dermatitis looks like in a photo or video.

Complex form of the disease

Sometimes the disease proceeds in the classical form, but it happens that cattle picks up acute lumpy dermatitis. Treatment of dermatitis in cows in this case should not be delayed. This form of the disease is the most complex and requires complex treatment. Symptoms in the acute phase of the disease are similar to the classical manifestation of the disease. In the acute stage of dermatitis, most often cows refuse to eat and lose weight, tubercles on their skin can be purulent and grow throughout the body. The virus affects not only the skin, but also the mucous membrane, leading to purulent inflammation.

Cattle can also suffer due to the fact that the nature of the secreted saliva changes: it becomes viscous, with a putrid odor. This form can affect both calves and adults. What to do in this case? It is necessary to constantly inspect the livestock during feeding or care, and at the first suspicion of any disease, invite a veterinarian for further examination. A complex form of tubercle manifestation can lead to the fact that cattle will develop pododermatitis, when the skin near the hooves becomes inflamed, which leads to suppuration.

Non-classical manifestations of dermatitis

Non-classical dermatitis in young calves can appear at any time. Basically, with this form of the disease, treatment is not always done on time. It is difficult for a specialist to diagnose this form of the disease, since there may be no tubercles on the skin of calves, and there may also be no other accompanying symptoms. Many farmers note that cattle with this form of dermatitis have liquid stool and temperature change.

There is still an inapparant form of the disease, which to a greater extent does not pose a danger to cattle. The only caveat is that carriers of this form of the disease carry a virus that is released into the air and can become a source of infection for a healthy individual.

How to Diagnose Lumpy Dermatitis

The disease in cows dermatitis can mainly be diagnosed by biomaterial. The specialist takes a sample for biomaterial. It can be used as sperm, milk, purulent discharge, urine or blood. Bacteriological culture is considered an effective test to find out if tubercle viruses are present. For an accurate study or in order to double-check the results, a sample of infected tissue is taken for examination. Recently, they began to carry out the latest method for diagnosing dermatitis - this is a bioassay.

According to such a bioassay, the presence of a disease can be determined in almost any animal, even in rodents, which are one of the main carriers of the disease.

After the bioassay, the cow will have a reaction in the form of a seal at the injection site on the 6-8th day. In order not to confuse lumpy dermatitis with other diseases, you need to invite a veterinarian for an examination. You should not self-medicate, even if all the symptoms scream that it is dermatitis. Many manifestations of the disease are somewhat identical, and it is possible to accurately establish the disease only by the results of the analysis.

Treatment of cattle

Dermatitis in cattle and its treatment should be diagnosed and carried out only by a veterinarian. Regardless of what types of diseases are diagnosed, all measures must be taken to improve the condition of the animal. At the moment, no cure for tubercles has been invented, but the only effective method is a vaccine. Since there is no cure specifically for lumpy skin disease, a timely vaccine gives good protection from this disease. Vaccination is carried out for all calves at the age of 2 months. The vaccine is most often made on a farm under the supervision of a veterinarian, the drug is placed under the skin.

Lumpy dermatitis in cattle. Methods of treatment.

How we CURED NODULAR DERMATITIS in a bull.

Beware of Lumpy Dermatitis!

Vaccines only provide temporary immunity. Basically, immunity lasts no more than a year. After that, the vaccination is repeated. If at least one individual in the herd falls ill, it should be transferred to keeping in a separate pen. It is also necessary to develop a special diet for her and vitamin supplements. During illness, the body of cattle is weakened and an integrated approach to treatment is required. If the cow refuses to eat and has lost weight, then you need to try to restore her weight.

If the animal refuses to eat, then you can try to give the most favorite food, perhaps this measure will improve the appetite. You must also provide enough clean drinking water. During illness, cattle are most often lacking in vitamins A, B, C, D, E. It is important to consult a specialist about which vitamin supplement is best to choose. In the room where animals are kept in quarantine, it is necessary to install air ventilation and carry out constant disinfection of all items. The cow should be given good bedding and, if possible, fresh grass should be given. If the types of dermatitis are simple, then within 5-7 days the animal should recover.

Disease prevention

Prevention of lumpy skin disease is only in the timely formulation of the vaccine. Also, due to the fact that the disease can actively spread, all measures should be taken to protect healthy livestock. If you have worked with an infected animal or you have a suspicion that some individuals may be sick with something, then to determine these diseases, cattle must be isolated in a separate pen. Every time you work with a sick calf, bull or cow, you need to be careful. All work equipment and clothing must be disinfected immediately.

It is impossible in the same shoes to go first to an infected individual, and then go to a corral to healthy animals. Every day, all rooms where animals are kept should be treated with the use of disinfectants. Cows are not allowed to drink and eat from the same bowl. In order for the entire livestock to have strong immunity, it is required to give only high-quality and balanced food. Periodically, the herd should be fed with various vitamin and mineral supplements. Only in this case, the animals will have strong immunity that can resist viruses and infections.

What happens after an illness

Even if it was possible to cure the tubercles, in cattle, regeneration of the skin can be observed at the site of the appearance of the tubercles. The more complex the form of the disease, the more rashes on the body. In those places where there were tubercles, the hair may fall out and not grow for some time. Also, any disease can give complications, adversely affect the body.

In order to somehow support the work of all organs, you need to gradually restore strength and take the herd for a walk. As complications, it is not uncommon for bulls to stop being able to fertilize females. Cows can be diagnosed with udder inflammation, mastitis. As a preventive measure, udder massage can be recommended. If the diagnosis is confirmed officially, then the veterinary commission makes a decision on quarantine for a period of 1 year.

The farmer must comply with the following requirements

If there are animals in the herd that have been ill with dermatitis, even if now all tests are normal, the farmer does not have the right to sell livestock and move animals to any place outside the quarantine zone.
The farmer does not have the right to sell the animal or use it in the meat or dairy industry. The milk and meat of these cows is considered contaminated.
The owner of sick cows must necessarily carry out a number of preventive measures to destroy flies, mosquitoes and other insects that can be a source of the disease.

Proper nutrition during illness

If the animal fell ill in the summer, then juicy and fresh food should be included in the basis of the diet, silage is considered their main component. It should be given corn, sunflower, tops and meadow grass. daily rate- approximately 15-18 kg. If a cow refuses to eat or eats less, then action must be taken or she will lose weight and milk yield will decrease. You can give root crops: sugar beets, fodder beets and carrots. Feeding root crops is very important, as this favorably affects the quality of milk.

Raw potatoes improve milk yields, so when they decrease, it is recommended to give some potatoes. One adult should take no more than 10-12 kg of potatoes. A whole storehouse of vitamins is found in cabbage, Jerusalem artichoke and fish oil. Table salt is given to cattle for any type of feeding at the rate of 10 g per 100 kg of animal. Also, concentrated feeds are given as feeding based on the productivity of the cow and its condition after illness.

Councils of the Veterinary Department

Currently, active cases of the spread of the disease in the territory of the Krasnodar Territory have been recorded, so the Russian Department for Veterinary Medicine has come up with a whole list of recommendations. It is very important to carry out measures to eliminate insects and rodents. In many farms, rats and mice walk in colonies. It is necessary to direct measures to destroy the carriers of infections. It is also necessary to eliminate holes in the room where cattle are kept. To protect against insects, you should install special mosquito nets on the windows, use electric repellents and do not leave them in evening time doors open.

Ventilation must be installed according to all standards, and also equipped with a fine mesh so that mosquitoes and midges do not fly from there. In unfavorable areas, where such a disease is mainly recorded, it is necessary to control animals and try to bring the situation to new level, because if infected animals get into another compound, they can infect other individuals, and the virus spreads.

What should a farmer do?

First of all, every farmer who does not want to incur losses due to a common infection needs to identify his livestock. The farmer must necessarily control the annual vaccination. For her, you can invite a veterinarian to the farm. When living in rural areas, it is very important to find specialized veterinary centers, which should be located at least in large towns and villages.

In such centers, they can explain and carry out prevention against various diseases of cattle. The farmer can also carry out a control cut using bioassays. In Russia, lumpy skin disease is not uncommon, it is an extremely common disease, so when deciding to breed and raise animals, you need to invest both money and time in them. Only then at right approach it will be possible to protect livestock from diseases and get healthy offspring.

Characteristics and types of dermatitis in cows

Dermatitis is a disease inflammatory nature, flowing in the deep layers of the skin, or rather in the dermis. Hence the name of this disease. It can occur in both acute and chronic form.

Among cattle, the following types of dermatitis are found:

Traumatic. Very common, especially in herds. Occurs as a result mechanical damage skin. In this case, the woolen cover is erased, after which the damaged areas become inflamed, purulent formations and bleeding may occur. All this is accompanied by severe pain.

Among cows, udder lesions are most common due to inaccurate milking, excessive squeezing of the teats when using milking machines, scarification or maceration.

it frequent companion running lice and animal scabies. From constant combing, the skin is damaged, bald spots appear on the coat and, as a result, dermatitis. Friction also creates the content of animals on a hard floor or bedding of inadequate quality and thickness.

A distinctive feature is the absence of an incubation period, the symptoms appear immediately after mechanical damage.

There is a slight swelling, redness and soreness of the damaged areas of the skin. In this case, it is enough to simply eliminate the cause and all the signs themselves will pass within a few days.

In advanced cases, erosions appear, crusting or ulcers. In such cases, immediate treatment is required.

Verrucose. Another name for this dermatitis is warty. This is a chronic inflammation of the skin in which warty growths appear as a result of hyperplasia. In cows, it often occurs against the background of weeping eczema, namely, drug-induced or neglected traumatic dermatitis.

It arises from constant and congestive edema of the skin, which in turn becomes motionless, the function of the sebaceous glands is disturbed, purulent inflammatory processes begin. As a result, neoplasms appear in the form of many warts of various sizes.

Gangrenous. This dermatitis is the result of an infectious disease - necrobacteriosis. The causative agent is the necrosis bacillus. Infection of an animal occurs through any, even the smallest damage to the skin. characteristic feature is wet necrosis of the skin.

At the initial stage of the disease, swelling and severe itching are observed. Dark red spots appear on the skin brown. In these areas, necrosis of the skin and ulcers subsequently occurs. In these places, liquid with a very unpleasant smell of rot is released from small blood vessels.

nodular. Lumpy dermatitis has become known not so long ago. It first appeared in 1929 on the island of Madagascar, in Europe the first clinical cases found only since 1963. This is an infectious disease, for cattle the main pathogens are viruses of the nitling group. The most disadvantaged in terms of the prevalence of the disease are India and Asian countries.

Characterized by fever, severe swelling of the skin and internal organs, damage to the mucous membranes, nodules appear on the body in the form of tubercles. Sometimes they appear deep under the skin and are not visually noticeable, but they can be felt to the touch. After recovery, all external signs disappear on their own.

Symptoms and diagnosis of the disease

The summer period is most favorable for the development of dermatitis in cows, as the animals sweat and the skin becomes the most vulnerable. Symptoms primarily depend on the type of dermatitis and the severity of its course.

Symptoms of dermatitis in cows:

For traumatic:
- erasing wool;
- change in the structure of the skin;
- bleeding and pain;
- elevated temperature of damaged areas;
- inflammatory processes, often purulent.
For medication:
- puffiness and swelling of areas of the skin;
- the appearance of erosion and crusts;
- second-degree burns, typical for severe forms of the course of the disease and prolonged exposure to chemicals;
- the appearance of small bubbles, in cows most often on the delicate skin of the udder;
- ulcer, in case of complete rejection of the skin.
For the warty:
- swelling of the skin;
- dry skin and hair loss in the affected areas;
- obvious destruction of the epidermis;
- the appearance of neoplasms different sizes resembling warts;
- the hairline around the growths sticks together and sticks out in different directions.
For gangrenous:
- inflammation and swelling of the skin;
- severe itching;
- discharge of gray exudate;
- the appearance of purple spots and ulcers;
- rapid breathing and fever.
For nodular:
- elevated body temperature, reaches 40C;
- increased tearing and constant salivation;
- decrease in milk yield;
- the formation of intradermal tubercles on the body of a cow;
- death of the epidermis around the neoplasms and the appearance of cavities.

Dermatitis can occur in both acute and chronic forms.

As for infectious species, after recovery, the animal develops immunity to the disease. This disease causes impressive damage to livestock, as a result strong decline livestock productivity. For this reason, timely diagnosis is essential.

When identifying and diagnosing dermatitis, in most cases, a clinical examination of the animal is sufficient to make an accurate diagnosis. Symptoms appear very quickly. Lumpy dermatitis is diagnosed by conducting a series of laboratory tests.

Samples of saliva, secretions from the eyes and mucous membranes are taken from the animal. Be sure to examine the damaged areas of the skin. It has a long incubation period, which can be up to 30 days. But on average, it ends 7-10 days after infection, and after this time, the first signs of the disease begin to appear.

The most common laboratory research methods are:

electron microscopy;
neutralization reaction;
linked immunosorbent assay.

An integrated approach helps to quickly and accurately diagnose the disease and prescribe timely treatment.

Causes and preventive measures

Basically, dermatitis in cows appears against the background of improper maintenance. high humidity, uncovered and hard floors, insufficient barn size, careless handling of the udder during milking, old and poor-quality milking equipment, all this leads to injury to the skin and, as a result, dermatitis.

Dirty care items and stale food are a common cause of the spread of infectious dermatitis. But the most common cause is biting by blood-sucking insects. Cases have been recorded when an animal in the herd does not become infected, and outbreaks of the disease occur several kilometers from the source of distribution. This is due to the fact that insects are able to fly great distances from a bitten animal and it is not known who and where they will bite again.

For dermatitis, the best remedy is its prevention:

Correct content. The barn should be dry and the bedding on the floors should be clean and thick enough to prevent the animal from sleeping on hard floors. Monitor the hygiene of cows, wash and wipe the udder dry. Track any damage to the skin and treat them in time. When using any drugs, monitor the condition of the animal and the appearance of irritation or redness of the skin. In this case, you should immediately stop taking the drug.
Vaccination. This method of prevention is typical only for infectious dermatitis. An animal that has had this disease develops a strong immunity to a new infection. Therefore, vaccination is perhaps the most effective method preventing the spread of the disease.
Quarantine of new animals. If possible, the importation of animals from the most unfavorable countries, where viral dermatitis is very common, for example, India, should be stopped altogether. But in any case, no matter where the animal comes from, you cannot immediately keep it together with the main herd. For the first month, the cow should be kept separately; only individual household items are used for her feeding and care. Gotta give up everything necessary tests and wait for the test results.

Methods for the treatment of dermatitis in cows

Non-infectious types of dermatitis in cows are easily treatable. In some cases, it is enough to eliminate the cause and the disease goes away on its own. But if the damage is strong and neglected, then treatment with the use of medicines and solutions.

Treatment of dermatitis in cows:

Eliminate the cause of the disease. If the animal constantly itches, then it is necessary to cure the disease, itchy skin cover. In case of injuries or rubbing, try to figure out where they come from and take necessary measures. With drug dermatitis, the irritating drug must first be excluded.
Trim damaged areas of skin. This will help the skin to breathe freely, not to accumulate dirt and sweat secretions in areas of inflammation. In the summer, ultraviolet exposure increases, which favorably affects the regeneration of the skin and does not allow it to get wet.
Washing with water and soap. Affected areas must be kept clean, constantly washed clean water with regular soap. After the procedure, the skin should be wiped dry with a napkin. In no case should moisture be allowed at the sites of inflammation.
Medical treatment. In traumatic and drug dermatitis, the use of alcohol solutions With antiseptics such as pyoctanine. Or disinfecting ointments, such as zinc, streptocid, Vishnevsky ointment.

If necessary, a course of antibiotics or novocaine blockade may be prescribed.

In the fight against warty dermatitis, cauterizing agents, for example, solutions of potassium permanganate, turpentine or formalin, help well. In the case of large build-ups, it is required surgical intervention, after which a plaster bandage is applied to the animal.

Lumpy dermatitis is treated with antibiotics. The most common are tetracycline and oleandomycin. The animal is provided with rest and good nutrition, vitamins are prescribed. External manifestations of dermatitis are treated with the same means as for non-infectious dermatitis. It is very important to treat the tubercles with disinfectant solutions immediately after opening.

Chemotherapy may be given to prevent the spread of the infection.

Often used and traditional methods of treatment, such as alcohol tinctures on herbs. Used to disinfect wounds. With their help, the affected areas are wiped and compresses are made. By the best means are nettle or calendula.

How to treat infectious dermatitis is still not exactly known.

The sooner the disease is diagnosed and treatment begins, the higher the chance of a full recovery.

And prevention will help prevent the appearance of dermatitis.

Agronomam.com project expert

Cattle are often exposed to infectious skin diseases such as dermatitis. In 5% of cases, depending on the group of cattle, the disease is fatal. It is worth having information about how lumpy skin disease manifests itself in a cow, how to treat it and what preventive measures to apply.

Features of lumpy dermatitis

Lumpy dermatitis of cows is a disease caused by a virus, which manifests itself in the form of a feverish state, disruption of the lymph nodes, individual bodies and systems. During illness, tumors appear on the skin of animals, and nodular lesions form in front of the eyes, in the organs of the respiratory system and the gastrointestinal tract.

Lumpy dermatitis is a dangerous disease with an infectious nature. Goats, sheep, zebu, cows and other cattle are exposed to it. The infection is transmitted by contact, often spread through the blood of insects, such as Musca flies (known as "house flies"), which ingest microfilariae from skin lesions other animals and transfer them to the body of cows.

Symptoms of Lumpy Dermatitis

Viral dermatitis in cattle does not appear immediately. The first signs of infection occur both during the first three days and after a month. This is due to the fact that the virus is able to "doze off" in the animal's body. From the site of infection, it spreads throughout the body through the blood within 7-14 days. This period is called viremia.

7 days after the virus enters the cow's body, nodules appear in the lower part of her head and in the stomach, the body temperature rises to 40 ° C, the disease enters active phase, the affected areas on the body become larger, purulent formations increase and cover the entire skin. The inflammatory process affects both the skin and subcutaneous fat. Blood clots formed inside the vessel cause swelling of the skin, which ultimately leads to tissue necrosis near the purulent nodes.

Symptoms of the disease:

the appearance of knots, scabs or sores on the skin, including the nose, mouth (gums), udder and vulva in cows, and the scrotum in bulls (there are several of them, sizes vary from 1 to 6 cm);
swelling of the legs, the appearance of pododermatitis;
swollen lymph nodes;
cough as a consequence of infection of the respiratory tract (trachea and lungs);
increased secretion of the nostrils;
salivation;
discharge of fluid from the eyes, purulent discharge from lacrimal ducts, covered with a crust;
eye infection, blindness;
fever;
shortness of breath, irregular heartbeat.

Blood vessels in the mouth and nose of cows overflow with blood, the eyelids are covered with erosion. Cattle infected with this disease refuse to eat and noticeably lose weight.

Infectious lumpy skin disease in cows is also called nodular (nodular), skin tubercle and "summer disease", because. more often the disease appears in the summer, when cows sweat.

Causes of cow infection

Lumpy dermatitis occurs for several reasons and is transmitted in many ways:

through an insect (mosquitoes, horse flies, house flies, ticks, etc.);
through saliva (for example, if animals drink from the same source);
due to improper disposal of manure;
due to lack of hygiene in barns, sheds or other areas where cows live;
calves become infected through milk.

More often the disease is provoked by carriers of infections.

Epidemiology

The first information about lumpy skin disease appeared after the infection of cattle in Madagascar in the late 20s of the twentieth century. After 30 years, the disease appeared in Africa and Romania. Now it is common in India. The disease has been reported in Bulgaria, France, Germany, Morocco, Sweden, Tunisia and especially in South Africa. AT different countries climate, nature and the external environment are different, so lumpy dermatitis manifests itself in different ways.

At the beginning of June 2016, the first cases of cow dermatitis were reported in Serbia. It is assumed that the infection came from Turkey and Africa. The Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection has banned the import and transit of goods containing livestock and buffalo, as well as wild animals, meat, skin and semen for artificial insemination obtained from these species, to prevent the spread of the disease in Serbia. In the same year, the disease was discovered in the Krasnodar Territory, Dagestan and Azerbaijan. In the Krasnodar Territory, the appearance of lumpy dermatitis in cows is associated with a hot climate.

Development of the disease in different countries

In Morocco, cow dermatitis is widespread when it rains heavily in March and April. Sometimes during this period there are frequent cases of cattle disease, which was in the immediate vicinity of the ponds. In some cases, cows heal on their own, but more often the infection results in large subcutaneous lesions that require veterinary treatment. The redistribution and severity of skin lesions show that the pathogen is sometimes distinct from dermatitis in Western Europe.

Consequences of the disease

As a result, the animal suffers from severe pain with every movement. This pain is due to knots that eventually rupture and result in sores on the skin and udder. cow exposed severe stress and suffering from elevated temperature body, weakness, shortness of breath and loss of appetite.

Violation of the welfare of cattle leads to large economic losses:

reduction in milk production;
reduction or complete loss of the ability to reproduce;
abortions;
damage to the body and in the body.

The disease also affects milk. It acquires pink color, poorly folded, under the influence of high temperature begins to thicken.

Treatment of lumpy dermatitis

When the first symptoms of the disease appear in cows, the veterinarian is informed about this. You should not make a diagnosis and prescribe treatment yourself, there are many diseases with similar symptoms. The final diagnosis is made only after taking blood and skin samples and after examining these samples in the laboratory.

If lumpy skin disease is confirmed, then it is worth starting a course of treatment immediately. If the virus has affected almost the entire body of the cow and is rapidly spreading to other representatives of the cattle, then euthanasia is required to prevent suffering and stress, as well as to prevent the infection from spreading to other animals. In addition, disinfection and disinfestation of the farm is carried out. Manure and products of infected cows (milk, dairy products, meat, meat products and skins) are safely disposed of.

Medicines for treatment

The treatment of lumpy skin disease in cattle is the use of certain medications. There is no specific cure for this type of dermatitis, so general drugs with a highly effective effect against skin diseases. Usually the treatment is complex with the use of several medications. To avoid overdose and death, follow the instructions.

Treatment for dermatitis in cows varies with the age of the animals.

Young cattle

Treatment of dermatitis in calves involves the use of vaccines and drugs in smaller doses. There are two common treatment complexes that include the use of three drugs.

First option:

RIBAVEX - under the skin at a dose of 1 ml / 10 kg of body weight is administered once a day for 5 days;
MULTIVET is an intramuscular preparation that is administered once at a dose of 2-6 ml/10 kg.

"Ribavex" is effective in the treatment of bacterial and viral diseases in cattle.

Second option:

COMBIVET - administered intramuscularly at a dose of 1-2 ml / 10 kg of body weight twice a day for 5 days;
UBERIN - intramuscular drug, administered at a dose of 5-10 ml per individual once a day for 5 days;
MULTIVET is an intramuscular preparation administered once at a dose of 2-6 ml/100 kg of body weight.

"Uberin" normalizes metabolic and recovery processes, improves resistance to unfavorable factors environment and stress, promotes the growth and development of cows.

adult animals

For the treatment of adult cattle, the same drugs are used as for young cattle, only in large doses.

First option:

VETACEF 50 - injected under the skin at a dose of 1 ml / 50 kg of body weight once a day for 5 days;
INFLARET - intramuscular drug, the dose is 2.5 ml / 100 kg of body weight, administered once;
MULTIVET is administered intramuscularly at a dose of 2-6 ml/100 kg of body weight only once.

Second option:

COMBIVET is an intramuscular preparation administered at a dose of 20 ml per animal twice a day for 5 days;
UBERIN is an intramuscular preparation administered at a dose of 10-20 ml per animal once a day for 5 days;
MULTIVET - also administered intramuscularly at a dose of 2-6 ml / 100 kg of body weight only once.

Third option:

VETACEF 200 - injected once under the skin near the ear at a dose of 1 ml / 30 kg of body weight;
INFLARET - administered only once intramuscularly at a dose of 2.5 ml / 100 kg;
MULTIVET - administered only once intramuscularly at a dose of 2-6 ml / 100 kg.

For external treatment of exposed nodules, Yotoin is used - a drug for external and internal use with antiseptic, disinfectant, desensitizing, anti-inflammatory and regenerating effects, as well as "Poviodon" - a detoxification agent with a wide antimicrobial spectrum of action.

Lumpy dermatitis is a disease that cannot be cured in its advanced stages, but it is preventable. Prevention measures:

Install protective nets on doors and windows in rooms where animals are located.
Animals are brought into the premises until 18:00, after this time the activity of insects increases.
Hygiene is maintained in the premises where animals live.
Cattle are regularly fed quality food that is supplemented with vitamin and mineral blends to maintain a high resistance to disease.
Each animal is given separate dishes for drinking.
When visiting other farms, hands and shoes are disinfected.
Repellents are used, which should be placed on windows and doorways in rooms occupied by cows.
Cows are bathed with repellents that will remove harmful insects. This is best done by using a sponge soaked in a repellant solution, or by spraying the solution onto the animal's body.

Lumpy dermatitis in a cow

Features of lumpy dermatitis

Lumpy dermatitis of cows is a disease caused by a virus, which manifests itself in the form of a feverish state, disruption of the functioning of the lymph nodes, individual organs and systems. During illness, tumors appear on the skin of animals, and nodular lesions form in front of the eyes, in the organs of the respiratory system and the gastrointestinal tract.

Lumpy dermatitis is a dangerous disease with an infectious nature. Goats, sheep, zebu, cows and other cattle are exposed to it. The infection is transmitted by contact, often spread through the blood of insects, such as flies of the genus Musca (known as "houseflies"), which ingest microfilariae from the skin lesions of other animals and transfer them to the body of cows.

Symptoms of Lumpy Dermatitis

7 days after the virus enters the cow's body, nodules appear in the lower part of her head and in the stomach, the body temperature rises to 40 ° C, the disease enters the active phase, there are more affected areas on the body, purulent formations increase and cover the entire skin. The inflammatory process affects both the skin and subcutaneous fat. Blood clots formed inside the vessel cause swelling of the skin, which ultimately leads to tissue necrosis near the purulent nodes.

the appearance of knots, scabs or sores on the skin, including the nose, mouth (gums), udder and vulva in cows, and the scrotum in bulls (there are several of them, sizes vary from 1 to 6 cm);
swelling of the legs, the appearance of pododermatitis;
cough as a consequence of infection of the respiratory tract (trachea and lungs);
increased secretion of the nostrils;
salivation;
discharge of fluid from the eyes, purulent discharge from the lacrimal canals, crusted;
eye infection, blindness;
fever;
shortness of breath, irregular heartbeat.

Blood vessels in the mouth and nose of cows overflow with blood, the eyelids are covered with erosion. Cattle infected with this disease refuse to eat and noticeably lose weight.

Infectious lumpy skin disease in cows is also called nodular (nodular), skin tubercle and "summer disease", because. more often the disease appears in the summer, when cows sweat.

Causes of cow infection

Lumpy dermatitis occurs for several reasons and is transmitted in many ways:

through an insect (mosquitoes, horse flies, house flies, ticks, etc.);
through saliva (for example, if animals drink from the same source);
due to improper disposal of manure;
due to lack of hygiene in barns, sheds or other areas where cows live;
calves become infected through milk.

More often the disease is provoked by carriers of infections.

Epidemiology

The first information about lumpy skin disease appeared after the infection of cattle in Madagascar in the late 20s of the twentieth century. After 30 years, the disease appeared in Africa and Romania. Now it is common in India. The disease has been reported in Bulgaria, France, Germany, Morocco, Sweden, Tunisia and especially in South Africa. In different countries, the climate, nature and external environment are different, so lumpy dermatitis manifests itself in different ways.

At the beginning of June 2016, the first cases of cow dermatitis were reported in Serbia. It is assumed that the infection came from Turkey and Africa. The Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection has banned the import and transit of consignments containing livestock and buffaloes, as well as wild animals, meat, skin and sperm for artificial insemination obtained from these species, in order to prevent the spread of the disease in Serbia. In the same year, the disease was discovered in the Krasnodar Territory, Dagestan and Azerbaijan. In the Krasnodar Territory, the appearance of lumpy dermatitis in cows is associated with a hot climate.

Consequences of the disease

As a result, the animal suffers from severe pain with every movement. This pain is due to knots that eventually rupture and result in sores on the skin and udder. The cow is highly stressed and suffers from fever, weakness, difficulty breathing and loss of appetite.

Violation of the welfare of cattle leads to large economic losses:

reduction in milk production;
reduction or complete loss of the ability to reproduce;
abortions;
damage to the body and in the body.

The disease also affects milk. It acquires a pink color, does not give up well, and begins to thicken under the influence of high temperature.

With dermatitis, the cow's milk becomes pink and does not give well.

Treatment of lumpy dermatitis

When the first symptoms of the disease appear in cows, the veterinarian is informed about this. Do not self-diagnose and prescribe treatment, there are many diseases with similar symptoms. The final diagnosis is made only after taking blood and skin samples and after examining these samples in the laboratory.

Medicines for treatment

The treatment of lumpy skin disease in cattle is the use of certain medications. There is no specific cure for this type of dermatitis, so general preparations with a highly effective effect against skin diseases are used. Usually the treatment is complex with the use of several medications. To avoid overdose and death, follow the instructions.

Treatment for dermatitis in cows varies with the age of the animals.

Young cattle

Treatment of dermatitis in calves involves the use of vaccines and drugs in smaller doses. There are two common treatment complexes that include the use of three drugs.

RIBAVEX - under the skin at a dose of 1 ml / 10 kg of body weight is administered once a day for 5 days;
MULTIVET is an intramuscular preparation that is administered once at a dose of 2-6 ml/10 kg.

"Ribavex" is effective in the treatment of bacterial and viral diseases in cattle.

COMBIVET - administered intramuscularly at a dose of 1-2 ml / 10 kg of body weight twice a day for 5 days;
UBERIN - intramuscular drug, administered at a dose of 5-10 ml per individual once a day for 5 days;
MULTIVET is an intramuscular preparation administered once at a dose of 2-6 ml/100 kg of body weight.

"Uberin" normalizes metabolic and recovery processes, improves resistance to adverse environmental factors and stress, promotes the growth and development of cows.

adult animals

For the treatment of adult cattle, the same drugs are used as for young cattle, only in large doses.

VETACEF 50 - injected under the skin at a dose of 1 ml / 50 kg of body weight once a day for 5 days;
INFLARET - intramuscular drug, the dose is 2.5 ml / 100 kg of body weight, administered once;
MULTIVET is administered intramuscularly at a dose of 2-6 ml/100 kg of body weight only once.

COMBIVET is an intramuscular preparation administered at a dose of 20 ml per animal twice a day for 5 days;
UBERIN is an intramuscular preparation administered at a dose of 10-20 ml per animal once a day for 5 days;
MULTIVET - also administered intramuscularly at a dose of 2-6 ml / 100 kg of body weight only once.

VETACEF 200 - injected once under the skin near the ear at a dose of 1 ml / 30 kg of body weight;
INFLARET - administered only once intramuscularly at a dose of 2.5 ml / 100 kg;
MULTIVET - administered only once intramuscularly at a dose of 2-6 ml / 100 kg.

For external treatment of exposed nodules, "Yotoin" is used - a drug for external and internal use with antiseptic, disinfectant, desensitizing, anti-inflammatory and regenerating effects, as well as "Poviodon" - a detoxification agent with a wide antimicrobial spectrum of action.

Preventive measures

Lumpy dermatitis is a disease that cannot be cured in its advanced stages, but it is preventable. Prevention measures:

Install protective nets on doors and windows in rooms where animals are located.
Animals are brought into the premises until 18:00, after this time the activity of insects increases.
Hygiene is maintained in the premises where animals live.
Cattle are regularly fed quality food that is supplemented with vitamin and mineral blends to maintain a high resistance to disease.
Each animal is given a separate drinking bowl.
When visiting other farms, hands and shoes are disinfected.
Repellents are used, which should be placed on windows and doorways in rooms occupied by cows.
Cows are bathed with repellents that will remove harmful insects. This is best done by using a sponge soaked in a repellant solution, or by spraying the solution onto the animal's body.
Cattle are vaccinated. Vaccines provide reliable protection.

For getting additional information and advice consult with a veterinarian. The best way to prevent lumpy skin disease and its spread is to take care of the animals and their environment.

Treatment of dermatitis in cows

Dermatitis is common among cattle. The slightest damage to the skin can cause the development of this disease.

Proper treatment and preventive measures will help to quickly cope with the problem and prevent its consequences.

Characteristics and types of dermatitis in cows

Dermatitis is an inflammatory disease that occurs in the deep layers of the skin, or rather in the dermis. Hence the name of this disease. It can occur in both acute and chronic form.

Among cattle, the following types of dermatitis are found:

Traumatic. Very common, especially in herds. Occurs as a result of mechanical damage to the skin. In this case, the woolen cover is erased, after which the damaged areas become inflamed, purulent formations and bleeding may occur. All this is accompanied by severe pain.

Among cows, udder lesions are most common due to inaccurate milking, excessive squeezing of the teats when using milking machines, scarification or maceration.

This is a frequent companion of neglected lice and animal scabies. From constant combing, the skin is damaged, bald spots appear on the coat and, as a result, dermatitis. Friction also creates the content of animals on a hard floor or bedding of inadequate quality and thickness.

A distinctive feature is the absence of an incubation period, the symptoms appear immediately after mechanical damage.

There is a slight swelling, redness and soreness of the damaged areas of the skin. In this case, it is enough to simply eliminate the cause and all the signs themselves will pass within a few days.

In advanced cases, erosions appear, crusting or ulcers. In such cases, immediate treatment is required.

Gangrenous. This dermatitis is the result of an infectious disease - necrobacteriosis. The causative agent is the necrosis bacillus. Infection of an animal occurs through any, even the smallest damage to the skin. A characteristic feature is moist necrosis of the skin.

At the initial stage of the disease, swelling and severe itching are observed. Spots of dark red or brown color appear on the skin. In these areas, necrosis of the skin and ulcers subsequently occurs. In these places, liquid with a very unpleasant smell of rot is released from small blood vessels.

nodular. Lumpy dermatitis has become known not so long ago. It first appeared in 1929 on the island of Madagascar, in Europe the first clinical cases have been found only since 1963. This is an infectious disease, for cattle the main pathogens are viruses of the nitling group. The most disadvantaged in terms of the prevalence of the disease are India and Asian countries.

Symptoms and diagnosis of the disease

Symptoms of dermatitis in cows:

erasing wool;
change in the structure of the skin;
bleeding and pain;
elevated temperature of damaged areas;
inflammatory processes, often purulent.

puffiness and swelling of areas of the skin;
the appearance of erosion and crusts;
second-degree burns, typical for severe forms of the course of the disease and prolonged exposure to chemicals;
the appearance of small bubbles, in cows most often on the delicate skin of the udder;
ulcer, in case of complete rejection of the skin.

swelling of the skin;
dry skin and hair loss in the affected areas;
obvious destruction of the epidermis;
the appearance of neoplasms of different sizes, resembling warts;
the hairline around the growths sticks together and sticks out in different directions.

inflammation and swelling of the skin;
severe itching;
discharge of gray exudate;
the appearance of purple spots and ulcers;
rapid breathing and fever.

elevated body temperature, reaches 40C;
increased tearing and constant salivation;
decrease in milk yield;
the formation of intradermal tubercles on the body of a cow;
death of the epidermis around the neoplasms and the appearance of cavities.

Dermatitis can occur in both acute and chronic forms.

As for infectious species, after recovery, the animal develops immunity to the disease. This disease causes impressive damage to livestock, as a result of a strong decrease in livestock productivity. For this reason, timely diagnosis is essential.

The most common laboratory research methods are:

electron microscopy;
neutralization reaction;
linked immunosorbent assay.

An integrated approach helps to quickly and accurately diagnose the disease and prescribe timely treatment.

Causes and preventive measures

Basically, dermatitis in cows appears against the background of improper maintenance. High humidity, uncovered and hard floors, insufficient barn size, careless handling of the udder during milking, old and poor-quality milking equipment, all this leads to injury to the skin and, as a result, dermatitis.

For dermatitis, the best remedy is its prevention:

Methods for the treatment of dermatitis in cows

Treatment of dermatitis in cows:

If necessary, a course of antibiotics or novocaine blockade may be prescribed.

In the fight against warty dermatitis, cauterizing agents, for example, solutions of potassium permanganate, turpentine or formalin, help well. In the case of large growths, surgical intervention is required, after which a plaster cast is applied to the animal.

Chemotherapy may be given to prevent the spread of the infection.

Often used and folk methods of treatment, such as alcohol tinctures on herbs. Used to disinfect wounds. With their help, the affected areas are wiped and compresses are made. The best remedies are nettle or calendula.

How to treat infectious dermatitis is still not exactly known.

The sooner the disease is diagnosed and treatment begins, the higher the chance of a full recovery.

And prevention will help prevent the appearance of dermatitis.

Lumpy dermatitis in cattle

In case of non-compliance with sanitary standards for keeping cattle, infection of animals is possible different kind infectious diseases. This, in turn, leads to a drop in productivity, loss of livestock, and, consequently, to a decrease in the profitability of farms. There are many diseases affecting cattle. In this case, one of the most dangerous is lumpy dermatitis.

A bit of history

The disease is relatively new. Our ancestors did not know such a problem with cattle. Lumpy dermatitis was first recorded in 1929 in Madagascar and Northern Rhodesia. In 1945, infection of livestock was registered in the Transvaal and Kenya. In 1963 cows were infected in Romania. Now this disease is especially common in India, as well as in South and East Africa.

The virus in Russia and the former USSR

In our country, for the first time, animals with lumpy skin disease were identified in Chechnya in 2015, in the fall. More recently, in early June 2016, a disease such as lumpy skin disease of cattle was discovered in the Krasnodar Territory (in the Tbilisi region). There is also information about previously infected animals in Dagestan, South Ossetia and Azerbaijan.

What causes

Cattle are infected with lumpy skin disease when DNA-containing Neethling, Allerton or BLD viruses enter the body of animals. They belong to the genus Capripoxvirus, family Poxviridae. And most often the infection is caused by Neethling. This virus reproduces in the kidney or testicular tissue. Its danger lies, among other things, in the fact that it is able to withstand up to 3 freezing cycles. At a temperature of 4 degrees, it can remain viable for 6 months.

Sources of infection

Unfortunately, this disease can also spread if sanitary standards for keeping cattle in barns are observed. The fact is that mosquitoes and horseflies often become its carriers. Thus, infection can occur even when grazing livestock.

Actually, lumpy skin disease of cattle (Neethling virus) enters the environment with pieces of animal skin falling off ulcers, with milk, saliva, semen or blood. This disease also causes additional difficulties for farmers due to the lack of a visible pattern in the distribution. That is, in some cases, an animal that is next to an infected person does not become infected. In this case, a cow or a bull from a herd a few kilometers away can get sick.

As can already be understood from the foregoing, the largest number of infected animals is observed in places of accumulation of blood-sucking insects. Occasionally, bovine lumpy skin disease (a virus) can also be carried by birds. Especially waterfowl. The dermatitis virus is also isolated from the breath of infected animals. In some cases, it can be transmitted through feed and water.

Symptoms

The incubation period of the disease can last from 3 to 30 days. Since nodular dermatitis does not manifest itself during this period, the animals are not isolated. As a result, the risk of spreading infection increases significantly.

The disease can manifest itself in two forms: acute and chronic. Atypical lumpy dermatitis is also known. In the acute form, the body temperature rises sharply in a sick animal (up to 40 degrees). At the same time, the appetite of a cow or a bull decreases, tears flow and mucous discharge from the nose appears. Two days later, nodules with a diameter of 0.5 to 7 cm and a height of up to 0.5 cm are formed on the skin of the animal. Their number can vary from 10 to several hundred. In some cases they merge.

The nodules are dense to the touch. After a few hours, the epidermis begins to exfoliate along their contour. In this case, a hole is formed in the center of each nodule. Necrosis begins to spread from it. The affected areas are bordered by a roller of granulation tissue up to 3 mm wide. After a week, the necrotic area, which has the shape of a cylinder about 1 * 2 cm in size, dries up and disappears. Subsequently, the cavity formed on the skin of the animal is filled with tissue and overgrown with pigment-free skin with hair. But this happens only if there are no complications. It also happens that ulcers form on the skin of the animal. Some nodules may not dry out for a year or more.

In addition to skin formations, lumpy dermatitis of cattle (photos of sick animals can be seen on the page) is characterized by the following symptoms:

Pink color of milk. It is given very hard - drop by drop. When heated, the milk of an infected animal takes on a gel-like appearance. You can feed it to calves after pasteurization at a temperature of 85 degrees for half an hour.

Emaciation of the animal due to loss of appetite.

The appearance on the eyelids of a cow or bull of ulcers or erosion.

Flowing saliva from the mouth and purulent, offensive mucus from the nose.

Clouding of the cornea and decreased vision in an animal.

Sometimes ulceration also appears in the respiratory tract of a cow or a bull. In this case, the animal may die from suffocation.

Atypical form of lumpy dermatitis occurs without the formation of nodules. It appears only in newborn calves.

How is the diagnosis made?

Infection is determined primarily on the basis of the overall clinical picture. In addition, there is also laboratory diagnostics disease such as lumpy skin disease in cattle. In this case, the sanitary examination is carried out with a preliminary selection of the biomaterial of suspicious animals. An established disease is considered when a lumpy skin disease virus, its antigen or genome is detected. In especially severe cases, the diagnosis is made on the basis of pathological and anatomical studies.

Symptoms of lumpy dermatitis are similar to those of urticaria, dermatophiliasis, smallpox, demodicosis and lymphongitis. Sometimes this disease is confused even with banal insect bites. Therefore, when any nodules appear on the skin of animals, it is necessary to conduct laboratory tests.

Pathological and anatomical changes

An autopsy of a dead animal that has had lumpy skin disease in cattle, for which treatment methods have not yet been developed, may reveal the following changes:

enlarged, edematous, juicy on the cut lymph nodes;

hemorrhages up to 1 cm in size under the visceral pleura;

congestive plethora on the nasal mucosa;

blood clots in the veins under the nodules;

hemorrhage in the intestinal mucosa.

How much damage can the disease cause?

Lumpy skin disease of cattle, which, unfortunately, is not treated, can affect from 5 to 50% of herd animals. Sometimes it also happens that the disease affects 100% of cattle. The death rate due to infection is usually no more than 10%, and most often from 1 to 5%.

Although this disease does not “mow down” the entire herd, it is considered one of the most dangerous. The fact is that with its spread, the productivity of animals is significantly reduced. At the same time, farmers suffer significant losses on the sale of both milk and meat, as well as skins. This disease also has an extremely negative effect on the reproduction of cattle. Infected bulls become temporarily sterile. In sick cows, the sexual cycle is disturbed. Pregnant animals have abortions and dead babies are born.

In Russia, this disease has not yet caused much damage to farmers, since not many cows have fallen ill. In India, where it is very widespread, the losses due to it can be up to 50 million rupees annually.

Prevention

Unfortunately, as already mentioned, it is very difficult to prevent an epidemic of lumpy skin disease. This disease is transmitted simply instantly. The answer to the question of what can be used to treat lumpy dermatitis in cows does not exist. In addition, immunity after an infection is developed rather poorly. That is, an ill animal, under favorable circumstances, can become infected again.

It is very difficult to prevent infection of livestock with dermatitis. However, farmers can still minimize the risk of disease. Cows are immunized with a Neethlin-like sheep pox virus strain. The latter is grown in the tissues of the testicles of lambs. Only such a virus gives immunity from lumpy skin disease. Ordinary sheep does not differ in a similar effect.

In addition to the actual vaccinations, preventive measures include:

preventing the development of dampness and, as a result, the appearance a large number blood-sucking insects in barns;

treatment of animals and stalls with repellents;

preventing the import of animals of unknown origin into prosperous farms without appropriate documents;

in private farms, providing veterinarians with access to barns to inspect animals on demand.

Vaccination scheme

Enter the strain of cattle subcutaneously. The first vaccination of young animals is pricked at the age of three months. Do this twice with an interval of 2 weeks. Further, the vaccine is administered at intervals of a year. If a disease is detected, all animals without exception should be vaccinated, regardless of when exactly they were immunized before.

Lumpy dermatitis of cows: a danger to humans and other animals

Only cattle are supposed to be vaccinated against this disease. Fortunately, cases of transmission of this disease from them to MRS have not yet been identified. The lumpy skin disease virus is also completely harmless to humans.

How to prevent spread

Lumpy skin disease in cattle, which cannot be treated, tends to spread rapidly. Therefore, when sick animals are found, contact with them of other cows and bulls, as well as service personnel, should be completely excluded. In addition, it is necessary to take measures to prevent the export of particles of infected tissue outside the territory of the farm by transport. All vehicles leaving the territory must be disinfected beforehand. The same procedure is applied to outerwear and footwear of service personnel (using formaldehyde vapours).

Identified sick animals, as well as cows and bulls that have been in direct contact with them, are slaughtered using a bloodless method. The corpses of cattle, as well as the remains of feed and litter, are destroyed. The farm itself should be disinfected three times. Manure from the stall is piled up and also disinfected.

To contain the epidemic, among other things, restrictions must be adopted:

for the movement of all animals;

to visit the farm by unauthorized persons;

for the slaughter of animals and the sale of products.

Special centers have been set up in regions that are unfavorable for lumpy dermatitis to combat this disease. Farmers and homeowners can call them if they suspect an infestation. In the Krasnodar Territory, for example, specialists can be called by dialing 4-12-47 or 4-12-33.

Lumpy dermatitis of cattle was found on the farm. How to treat?

The natural recovery of cattle with lumpy skin disease is 90%. Breed bulls and cows are most susceptible to this disease. Unfortunately, the treatment of lumpy dermatitis, as already mentioned, has not been developed. In some cases, chemotherapy may be used to prevent complications from secondary infections. Sometimes animals are given antibiotics for the same purpose.

What do they say about illness?

Many farmers ask their colleagues and veterinarians the question: “Who cured lumpy skin disease in a cow?”. Reviews of this disease exist as a very serious one. Therefore, experienced farmers and veterinarians advise beginners not to self-medicate cows, but to slaughter them. But sometimes you can come across the opinion that in case of a disease, special steroids and vitamins, as well as the antibiotic Thalidomide (causing, by the way, deformities in offspring), can be used to alleviate the course of the disease.

In Russia, this disease is not yet too common, which means that for domestic farmers the question at least at the moment (2016), irrelevant. And consequently, there are no opinions about possible folk methods of treatment. But, most likely, in case of further spread of the disease, the advice on how to deal with livestock when infected will be the same - slaughter.

Thus, the problem is really serious - lumpy skin disease in cattle. "How to treat this disease?" - the answer to this question, unfortunately, does not exist. If an infection is detected, the livestock is slaughtered. Of course, this can cause enormous damage to farms. Therefore, preventive measures and measures to prevent the spread of lumpy skin disease in the event of an outbreak should be taken without fail.

Lumpy dermatitis of cows

General description of the disease

As mentioned earlier, cattle are susceptible to the disease. Infection most often occurs through contact with sick animals. However, the following sources can also serve as the cause of infection:

It is paradoxical that the virus continues to actively stand out even when there are no obvious signs of the disease, that is, the animal has been removed from the veterinary service. For this reason, outbreaks of dermatitis in cows are observed unevenly and regardless of external causes.

Usually, virus cells can be detected by a laboratory method only after a few days of fever, as well as at the stage of neoplasms. During this time, the virus is spreading circulatory system, giving it the opportunity to go to almost all vital systems of the body.

Usually farmers note the first symptom is skin rashes, as this is the first external sign of dermatitis in cattle. Initially, reddening of the skin appears, which, on palpation, is much hotter than the rest of the body area. Further, in the absence of treatment in such neoplasms, the first signs of necrosis appear, since the animal's immunity is simply not able to fight wounds.

Classic signs of dermatitis in a cow

Usually the disease makes itself felt within a week after infection, but the reference books indicate a period of 2 to 45 days. If the animal has an acute stage, which is most often characteristic of young animals, then the temperature reaches 41 °, the desire to eat disappears, a lacrimal secret oozes from the eyes, and unpleasantly smelling gray discharge can be seen from the nose. After 2-3 days, the first symptoms will be followed by seals on the skin, they are also called nodules. Usually their diameter is small: from 0.2 to 6 cm. These can be single rashes or instantaneous polycystosis, it all depends on the rate of development of the disease.

Through a short time you will be able to observe a picture of how the skin in the places of neoplasms is separated from the outer layer, this is how necrosis of epidermal tissues begins. With a favorable outcome, such a hole on the skin is scarred, and the part affected by necrosis simply disappears. However, you should not rejoice ahead of time, because such dead skin particles can serve as a means of spreading the infection throughout the herd. If the disease affects a dairy cow, that is, one that gives milk, signs of the disease can be detected by an external examination of the milk. It acquires a pinkish color, becomes thicker than usual, and during heat treatment it acquires a gel-like form.

Severe form of the disease

If dermatitis in cattle is acute, then the symptoms increase at a faster rate. The cow may experience a critical increase in temperature, lose the desire to eat, and also significantly lose weight. Definitely, in this case, polycystic disease is observed, the formations are large and often grow together. Necrosis affects not only neoplasms, but also the area of mucous membranes, creating plaques of a serous-purulent nature. The caretaker can observe characteristic discharge, which will lead to the suspicion of dermatitis.

In addition, the nature of saliva changes, a characteristic putrid smell, the discharge acquires a more viscous consistency. If the purulent process passes to the lower Airways What happens, unfortunately, rapidly, the lungs of the cow cease to function normally and the animal dies of asphyxia.

Non-classical course of the disease

It is not uncommon for cow dermatitis to present in an atypical way, which can lead you down the wrong path when making a diagnosis. For example, if we are talking about atypical dermatitis, this type most often affects young calves. Typical symptoms of dermatitis in calves may include:

frequent loose stools, often with bloody patches;
elevated temperature in the absence of skin lesions.

There is also an inanparent form of dermatitis in cows. Fortunately for the carrier of the infection, it may not pose a threat to the animal. But at the same time, such a cow actively releases the virus into the atmosphere, that is, it can provoke an outbreak of the disease in the herd.

What happens after recovery

If the cow managed to get rid of dermatitis, then swelling and neoplasms should completely disappear from the skin, although this is preceded by a long recovery process:

hair on the areas where they were pathological changes, drops out;
the skin is often affected by cracks;
there is a complete regeneration of the skin.

Even a recovered animal may experience health complications, which, unfortunately, are not always possible to get rid of. This may be chronic inflammation of the lungs, inflammatory processes of the reproductive organs, the udder in females, the inability to fertilize in bulls. In addition, the musculoskeletal system is often affected.

What changes are found at autopsy

Often it is possible to confirm the diagnosis with 100% accuracy only on the pathoanatomical table. The doctor may detect such signs:

swollen lymph nodes;
multiple hemorrhages in the organs of the respiratory system;
capsular neoplasms on internal organs;
advanced enteritis, irritable bowel syndrome;
inflammatory processes in the joints;
signs of necrosis in the inner layers of the skin;
vein thrombosis;
infiltrates and lymphocytosis.

How to make the correct diagnosis

The diagnosis can be made on the basis of external symptoms, laboratory tests, and also post-mortem. During the life of cattle, bacteriological cultures of biomaterial are most often used: sperm, milk, purulent discharge, urine or blood. For a more accurate examination, a sample of the affected tissue may be taken for histological examination.

In addition, relatively recently, a test was invented that allows you to quickly determine the presence or absence of a disease in an animal. Such a study can be carried out on any pet, even on rodents, because they can be carriers of the virus. Find out how the reaction to a bioassay occurs.

Lumpy dermatitis of cattle(tuberculosis; Dermatitis nodularis bovum - lat., Lumpy skin disease - English) - an infectious disease caused by a virus and is characterized by short-term fever, skin lesions, lymphatic system, mucous membranes, with the formation of tubercles in the subcutaneous tissue and their necrosis.

Prevalence. The disease was first observed in 1929 in Northern Rhodesia, clinical symptoms described in 1931 (R. Mac Donald). Subsequently, it was registered in most countries of South Africa, in 1954 in Madagascar. According to R. S. Lefevre et al. (1979), over the past decade, tubercle has been identified in many countries of the African continent, and has also been registered in a number of northwestern states of India (R. M. Sharma, 1962).

Economic damage. Mortality in this disease does not exceed 10%. However, according to many authors, the economic damage is significant, since milk and meat productivity decreases, the quality of raw hides decreases, the sexual cycle in cows is disrupted, and temporary sexual sterility develops in bulls. D. R. Nawathe et al. (1978), R. M. Sharma et al. (1962) indicated that this infection in India annually causes damage of 50 million rupees.

Pathogen. I. L. Backstrom (1945), R. M. Robinson, P. A. Alexander (1945) established the infectious nature of tubercles. In 1948, Van der Ende, P. Alexander, Kipps isolated the causative agent of this disease in chicken embryos. In 1956-1957. P. Alexander, W. Plowright, D. Haig, studying material from sick animals in calf kidney cell culture, isolated viral agents that differed in cytopathic action. Subsequently, these viruses were divided into three groups, which were designated: 1- Orphelins (orphan); 2-Allerton; 3 - Neethling. J. Prydie, W. Coackley (1959) proved that only a virus belonging to the third group causes lumpy dermatitis and attributed the pathogen to the smallpox virus family. Antigenically, it turned out to be related to the sheep pox virus (J. B. Capstick et al., 1961).
In the experiment, the Allerton virus causes mild illness in animals, and the introduction of Orphelins is not accompanied by the manifestation of clinical signs of the disease.

The tubercle virus multiplies in chicken embryos, in primary cell cultures of calves, lambs, and rabbits. Cattle, sheep, goats, suckling mice are susceptible to experimental infection. Guinea pigs, to a lesser extent rabbits. The causative agent is relatively resistant to changes in the pH of the environment (within 2-10), 20% solutions of ether and chloroform inactivate it (R. E. Weiss, 1959).

epidemiological data. Under natural conditions, cattle, especially cultivated breeds, as well as zebu are most susceptible to lumpy skin disease. The main source of the pathogen are sick animals and virus carriers. At the initial occurrence of the disease in the herd, from 5 to 50%, in some cases up to 75 and 100% of animals are affected. The infection is transmitted mainly by blood-sucking mosquitoes, flies, which are apparently mechanical carriers D. A. Haig (1955) reported a high concentration of the virus in the saliva and salivary glands of sick animals, which, according to the author, plays a role in transmission the causative agent of the disease. There is speculation that the virus may be spreading certain types birds. There are reports of cases of introduction of the tubercle pathogen into sheep farms. According to V. N. Ali, H. M. Abeid (1977), in Sudan the first outbreak of the disease was registered at the end of August 1971 in an area with good pastures and water sources. D. R. Nawathe et al. (1978) in Nigeria noted the greatest defeat of cattle in July - August (from 25 to 75% of the livestock in the herds). In the dry season of the year, epizootic outbreaks were not detected. At the same time, tubercles were not observed among wild ruminants. R. C. Lefevre et al. (1979), analyzing the epizootic situation of lumpy skin disease in Africa, came to the conclusion that the infection is gradually spreading to the north and west of the African continent.

Pathogenesis insufficiently studied, since under experimental conditions it is not always possible to reproduce the typical clinical signs of the disease. In case of subcutaneous infection of cattle, after 4-7 days, at the injection site of the virus-containing material, painful bumps, around which an inflammatory reaction occurs with a diameter of up to 20 cm. Inflammation captures not only the skin, but also the subcutaneous tissue, and sometimes muscle tissue. Generalization of the process is observed on the 7-19th day after infection of animals, this is preceded by fever for 48 hours or more.

The virus in the blood is detected 3-4 days after the rise in temperature and the mass formation of tubercles. During this period, the virus with blood penetrates into the mucous membrane of the oral cavity, nose, eyes, vagina, prepuce, salivary, mammary glands, testes. The formation of tubercles is accompanied by hyperplasia of the skin epithelium. The occurrence of edema in the dermis is associated with vascular thrombosis, which leads to coagulating necrosis of surrounding tissues. The inflammatory process covers the lymph nodes, but the mechanism of this process has not been elucidated. Inflammation of the lymphatic vessels, nodes, the formation of ulcerated wounds, septic complications may occur due to secondary infection.

Clinical signs. The incubation period for natural infection varies from 2 to 4 weeks. In the acute form in the initial stage, the disease is accompanied by fever (body temperature rises to 40 ° C), loss of appetite, lacrimation, serous-mucous discharge from the nose. After 48 hours, a nodular rash appears, raised above the skin, round shape, with a diameter of 0.2 cm to 5 cm. The number of nodules varies from a few to many hundreds, which can be found in all parts of the skin. Regional lymph nodes are clearly marked. In sick animals, body weight rapidly decreases, and in lactating cows - milk yield due to the occurrence of mastitis. In rare cases, nervous disorders and aggressiveness of animals occur. Cows have had abortions.

In severe form, prolonged fever, loss of appetite, and emaciation are noted. Tubercles are formed throughout the body, on the outer mucous membranes, and it is also possible to damage the trachea, pharynx, the occurrence of pulmonary edema with a fatal outcome from asphyxia or the development of bronchopneumonia. In the subacute form, there are no noticeable signs of skin lesions. The disease is manifested by a short-term fever of 2-5 days, lack of appetite.

The atypical form occurs in newborn calves and presents with intermittent diarrhea and fever but no noticeable signs of skin lesions. In adult animals, there is a loss of appetite, periodic fever. The inapparent form is asymptomatic, but is accompanied by virus carrying and the formation of virus-neutralizing antibodies.

Pathological changes. On the section of the tubercles, a connective tissue of a white-grayish color, of a dense consistency is found, the skin and subcutaneous tissue are saturated with a serous reddish liquid. Necrotized tubercles contain caseous masses, under which ulcers form. Tubercles are also detected between muscle fibers, in the lungs, abomasum, scar, uterus. On the pleura, heart, liver, hemorrhages are noted. Histomorphological changes depend on the stage of development of the process. In the initial stage of the disease, epithelial cells are enlarged and vacuoles appear in them. In the histosections of the tubercles, cytoplasmic inclusions of a round or oval shape, often larger than the nucleus, are found. These inclusions are found in epithelial cells and histiocytes.

Diagnosis and differential diagnosis. Typical forms of tubercles are easily diagnosed. Atypical forms sporadic cases are more difficult to identify. In this case, it is necessary to isolate the virus and identify it. Clinical diagnosis based on epizootological data and symptomatology. The appearance of tubercles in the skin, mucous membranes, the reaction of superficial lymph nodes are characteristic signs of lumpy dermatitis. The final diagnosis is made on the basis of laboratory research methods. On histopathological sections, cytoplasmic inclusions are found in the epithelial cells of the affected skin areas. These inclusions in tubercles are detected in more than 90% of cases. Isolation and identification of the virus is carried out on primary cell cultures in a neutralization reaction.

Differential diagnosis is important in the initial stage of the disease. In this case, streptotrichosis, onchocerciasis, skin tuberculosis, skin reaction for insect and snake bites.

Outcome with lumpy dermatitis usually favorable. The death of animals does not exceed 10%, but more often it is 1-2%. Immunity and means of specific prophylaxis. In animals vaccinated with a heterogeneous vaccine, immunity is created up to 2 years. The most widely used lyophilized culture virus vaccine from the Neethling strain, which creates immunity lasting up to 3 years. Several million head of cattle have been vaccinated with this vaccine in a number of countries in South and North Africa with positive results.

Prevention and control measures. Specific treatments have not been developed. Natural recovery occurs in 90% of cases. Symptomatic treatment is applied. Animals create good conditions feeding, maintenance. Shower installations are used for washing the skin of animals with disinfectants.

Animals that have been ill develop strong immunity to reinfection. In some countries, a cultured heterogeneous Clavelia virus vaccine is used, which causes a skin syndrome in sheep similar to bovine tubercle, but antigenically different from the Neethling virus. On the African continent and Madagascar, protective and quarantine measures did not give the expected results and lumpy dermatitis, which appeared in Zimbabwe and South Africa, gradually spread to almost all countries of the South, partly North and West Africa. The reason, obviously, is the insufficient knowledge of the epizootology of the disease, especially in identifying the sources and ways of transmission and spread of an infectious disease.

unified system veterinary and sanitary prophylaxis in this disease has not been developed. In some countries - Mozambique, Madagascar, South Africa, livestock owners are required to report the appearance of the disease to the veterinary service. At the same time, the movement of livestock is prohibited, the transportation of skins, sick and suspected animals are isolated. The bodies are burned or buried in the ground. The sale of milk is prohibited, animals with clinical signs are killed. In Mozambique, in a disadvantaged area, the slaughter of wild animals that can transmit the infectious agent is recommended. According to the recommendations of the FAO, the movement of livestock in disadvantaged areas, the transportation of livestock products through countries where tubercles are registered, are also prohibited. In dysfunctional foci, disinfection and disinsection are used. It was noted that veterinary and sanitary measures in combination with specific prophylaxis, slaughter of sick cattle can achieve good results in the fight against tubercle.

Lumpy dermatitis in cattle is a disease of an infectious nature, affecting mostly cattle. The disease provokes a general death of livestock - the mortality rate can vary from 4 to 95% of the entire herd. About what symptoms are inherent in the disease, whether it is dangerous for a person, and how to be treated and will be discussed further.

What is Lumpy Dermatitis?

It has the following properties:

Relieves itching after the first application
Eliminates rash and peeling of the skin in 3-5 days
Reduces overactive skin cells
After 19-21 days completely eliminates plaques and traces of them
Prevents the appearance of new plaques and an increase in their area

Is Lumpy Dermatitis Dangerous for Humans?

For humans, this disease is not dangerous - as the sanitary services note, there have been no recorded cases of human infection from an animal.

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Preventive measures

The virus itself, leading to the development of lumpy dermatitis, tends to spread rapidly - when individual animals show the first signs, negative symptoms of infection, they should be completely protected from contact with healthy livestock.

Along with this, one should accept urgent measures to ensure that contaminated meat, waste products and corpses, everything, even the smallest particles of infected tissue, are not taken out of the quarantine zone.

Each room where animals are kept should be disinfected, as well as every transport leaving the quarantine zone. The same procedure should be carried out with clothes, shoes worn by attendants - most often formaldehyde vapor is used for this purpose.

Sick, infected cattle, as well as all animals in contact with it, are slaughtered, the corpses are destroyed. After that, a three-time disinfection is carried out on the farm.

To prevent the introduction of a dangerous virus into the territory of the farm, it is worth adhering to the following rules and recommendations:

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Conclusion

Lumpy dermatitis in cattle causes irreparable damage to the economy and the agricultural sector, because in the case of animal infection, doctors note an almost 95-100 percent drop in livestock. But with proper prevention - vaccinating animals and sanitizing places of detention, general infection and falling livestock can be avoided.

The virus itself does not pose a danger to humans - in this case, the main thing is to adhere to personal hygiene measures and preventive measures during an outbreak.