The causative agent and symptoms of malignant edema, treatment and prevention
Animal gas gangrene is a phenomenon that farmers are faced with all over the place. Since malignant acute edema is of a sporadic nature, the economic damage from the disease is small. Cattle are susceptible to the disease, so it is important to follow the rules of antiseptics and asepsis when providing obstetric care or performing surgical interventions.
Causes and symptoms of the disease
The disease is acute and can affect both cattle and humans. A group of microorganisms belonging to the Clostridium genus is the causative agent of the disease in animals. The environment for the existence of pathogenic microorganisms is the normal flora of the intestinal tract of cattle and the upper layers of the soil.
The main causes of infection are damage to the skin, mucous membrane during grazing on the stubble, during childbirth or castration. The rapid course of the disease is facilitated by the ingress of manure and earth into the wounds. Cases of malignant edema are often observed in cows after calving, when the afterbirth is delayed and non-sterile instruments are used to separate it.
Diagnostic rules
Painful swelling quickly forms at the site of injury. If the wound is opened, then a foamy liquid of various shades (from deep brown to red or even transparent) will be released from the wound. In the case of maternity malignant edema in a cow, the pelvic muscles, perineal region and genitals are affected. There is a thickening of the mucous membranes of the uterus, vagina. The organs are covered with necrotic masses with an unpleasant, pungent odor.
The duration of the incubation period for malignant edema in an animal depends on a number of factors: the level of immunity of the cattle individual, the number and type of pathogenic microorganisms. Therefore, the disease can manifest itself in a few hours or days. To exclude diseases with similar symptoms (carbuncle, anthrax), it is recommended to make a final diagnosis based on bacteriological studies.
Methods for the treatment of malignant edema
Methods for treating animals - surgical intervention and elimination of general intoxication through medications:
- the essence of the operating method: they make a wide and deep dissection of tissues to provide air access to the affected organs or areas (oxygen prevents the multiplication of anaerobes). Necrotic tissue is removed. The treated areas are irrigated with hydrogen peroxide, potassium permanganate solution, antiseptic medicines;
- to combat intoxication and inflammatory processes in malignant edema in an animal, antimicrobial drugs and antibiotics (sulfonamides, "Tetracycline", "Aspirin") are used.
It should be noted that standard treatments are not always effective. The best results of treatment are demonstrated by intravenous administration of ozonized sodium chloride.
Possible consequences
The transience of the disease depends on the localization of the focus of infection, the type of pathogen. In animals, tissue breakdown from skin to bones, pulmonary edema, degeneration of the heart muscle and liver, enlargement of lymph nodes and hemorrhage in them often occur.
Animals with malignant edema should not be allowed to slaughter. Such cattle are preliminarily treated.
However, it is recommended to make a sanitary assessment of meat obtained from the slaughter of such animals. Individual organs affected by edema must be destroyed. The rest of the carcass is boiled for a long time (as quickly as possible). If large lesions are found, the carcass is disposed of. Sometimes it is allowed to use in industry the skins treated with disinfectants.
Problem prevention
Animals suffering from malignant edema must be isolated. General quarantine is not introduced, but the premises where sick cattle were kept are cleaned and disinfected (with bleach, 5% formalin solution, 3% sodium hydroxide solution). Infected manure is also burned.
Compliance with sanitary and hygienic requirements at calving is the main measure for the prevention of malignant maternal edema. If the farm is located in an unfavorable area, the cows are injected massively with polyvalent antitoxic serum before calving.
Malignant edema is a rapidly developing disease. Therefore, a successful outcome of treatment is determined by the timeliness of assistance. It is important to thoroughly cleanse the affected areas of the body and properly treat wounds with antiseptics. Drinking plenty of fluids and a good diet will help the animals recover as soon as possible.
