Ungulomycosis of cattle: treatment and preventive measures
Abstract
Of the total number of animal diseases, 70–80 % are non-communicable diseases, and more than 50 % are surgical diseases, which cause significant economic damage to the livestock industry due to reduced productivity and premature culling of livestock. Irrational, unbalanced in terms of macro- and microelements, vitamins, carbohydrates feeding leads to metabolic disorders. At the same time, deep destructive-degenerative changes in bones, joints, ligaments and tendons are registered, horn formation in the hooves is disturbed and a less stable horn is produced. Omission in feeding unsatisfactory housing conditions and inadequate care of animals. When such conditions are often supplemented, the outer cover of animals, in particular the hooves, is affected first of all. In the event of inflammatory and dystrophic processes at the base of the skin of the hooves there is a violation of tissue (tubular) and cellular structure. The horn of such hooves undergoes changes in the form of parakeratosis and deformation; this contributes to the spread and accumulation of fungal flora, which shows its pathogenic action mainly due to enzymatic activity and toxic products, which characterizes these microorganisms as a factor in the destructive processes of the hoof horn. With reduced mechanical stability and destroyed by microscopic fungi of hoof horn is more likely to develop aseptic or purulent pododermatitis. Here, the fungal flora is not only a contributing factor in the occurrence of diseases, but also as one of the factors complicating the course of the disease. That is why timely detection and effective treatment of ungulomycosis prevents the complication of the pathological process, which can even lead to culling of animals. The essence of treatment of superficial ungulomycosis is reduced to functional cleaning of hooves and their antiseptic treatment in the form of fungicidal powders, sprays, hoof baths. In deep ungulomycosis, and, moreover, in combination with purulent pododermatitis, treatment includes local anesthesia, orthopedic treatment, antiseptic treatment with isolation, pathogenetic therapy. Prevention of ungulomycosis is based on knowledge of the etiology of the disease and the pathogenetic mechanisms of its development. Its essence is to form in animals a strong hoof horn, prevent its destruction and eliminate favorable conditions for the reproduction of keratomycetes. This includes proper feeding, proper housing conditions and appropriate animal care.
Keywords
