EMPHYSEMATOUS CARBUNCLE IN CATTLE

Abstract

Emphysematous carbuncle is an acute infectious disease of cattle, which occurs enzootically in disadvantageous areas during the pasture and, less often, the stall period. Cases of emphysematous carbuncle in sheep have also been described, but unlike cases in cattle, the disease is often provoked by the ingress of the pathogen through wounds, which is why emphysematous carbuncle in sheep should be considered as a disease associated with malignant edema. The pathogen of the emphysematous carbuncle, Clostridium chauvoei, causes extensive damage to various systems and tissues of the body, accompanied by rapidly growing toxicosis, severe focal muscle damage in the form of crepitant necrosis, serous-hemorrhagic infiltration and damage to adjacent subcutaneous tissue, which leads to death in almost 100% of cases. Emphysematous carbuncle is a serious problem of livestock industry, not only due to economic damage caused by the disease and death of animals, but also due to the emergence of persistent adverse situation in the area contaminated with pathogen spores and losses from the imposition of quarantine measures and restrictions. Cattle and small ruminants up to three years of age are mostly prone to get ill.

Keywords

• etiology
• pathogenesis
• clinical signs
• pathological changes
• diagnostics
• treatment
• specific prevention of clostridiosis