14/09/2021
*ANIMAL SCIENCE STUDENTS' ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA*
_UNILORIN CHAPTER_
14/9/2021
*9TH EDITION OF THE ASSAN WEEKLY TREATISE*
*THE ENEMIES OF LIVESTOCK FARMERS AND THE WAY OUT*
This week treatise will be focusing on some of the diseases that are threatening to livestock and the livestock farmers; and they are here in termed ENEMIES of livestock farmers.
These diseases have over the years caused a great deal of lost to the farmers in Nigeria and over the world . They are foot rot, bird flu and rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV).
We are going to be looking into the definitions, causes, symptoms, prevention and control measures and possible treatment to each of these diseases.
*WHAT IS FOOT ROT IN FARM ANIMALS?*
Foot rot is an infection that causes swelling, heat and inflammation between the toes of a cloven -hoofed animal, resulting in severe lameness. Nearly every cattle producer has seen this situation, finding an animal suddenly very lame.
Dr. Bill Lias, Interstate Vet Clinic, Brandon, South Dakota, says the main organism that causes foot rot is Fusobacterium necrophorum which is an anaerobe, meaning it thrives in environments without oxygen. “It usually gains entry to the foot through a nick in the skin between the two claws. This organism is found in f***s, and we see more cases in muddy, wet conditions in feedlots or pastures,” he says.
If cattle have to walk through bogs or stand in mud and manure, it can set them up for foot rot. “We sometimes see more cases when it’s muddy in the fall. Then if the mud freezes, it’s rough and rutted and sharp. When cattle have to walk on frozen mud they may injure their feet and get abrasions tissue between the toes—and we see multiple cases of foot rot. This organism is ubiquitous in the environment—pretty much everywhere,”
*SYMPTOMS OF FOOT ROT*
1. Extreme pain, leading to the sudden onset of lameness
2. Elevated body temperature
3. Bilateral swelling of the interdigital tissues, around the hairline and coronary band of the hoof. The swelling may lead to greater-than-normal separation of the claws
4. Necrotic lesions in the interdigital space, with a foul odor
5. Decreased feed intake
These symptoms can be similar to the symptoms of other foot issues that are common in beef cattle. For example, digital dermatitis, commonly referred to as hairy heel wart, is often mistaken for foot rot when cattle become lame (Step et al., 2016). However, digital dermatitis only affects the skin in the heel bulb area and up to the area of the dew-claw. Digital dermatitis also does not produce a foul odor, is more centralized and is contagious.
*PREVENTION*
Prevention and control of foot rot begins with management of the environment. Prevention of mechanical damage to the foot caused by frozen or dried mud, brush stubble and gravel is desirable. Minimize animals' exposure to sharp plant stubble and sharp gravel. Attempt to minimize the time cattle must spend standing in wet areas. Pens should be well-drained and frequently scraped and groomed. Areas around ponds, feed bunks and water tanks should be maintained to minimize mud and manure. Other preventive measures presently used include foot baths (most often used in confinement beef or dairy operations) and addition of organic and in-organic zinc to the feed or mineral mixes and vaccination. When cattle are moderately to severely deficient in dietary zinc, supplemental zinc may reduce the incidence of foot rot. Zinc is important in maintaining skin and hoof integrity; therefore, adequate dietary zinc should be provided to help minimize foot rot and other types of lameness. A three-year study (Brazle, 1993) has shown zinc methionine added to a free-choice mineral supplement reduced the incidence of foot rot.
*HOW TO TREAT FOOT ROT*
Once the proper diagnosis is made, foot rot can be treated. Treatment for foot rot is most successful when completed early, toward the beginning of its onset. The most common method of treatment is via tetracycline antibiotics (Currin et al., 2016). It is crucial to consult a local veterinarian for recommendations about antibiotics and the proper dosage levels. Other common treatments include rubbing a sterilized rope or twine between the animal’s toes to remove the necrotic tissue, followed by applying a topical antimicrobial and simply keeping the foot clean and dry while antibiotic treatment is given.
*BIRD FLU*
Bird flu (also termed avian influenza or avian flu) is caused by a type of influenza virus that rarely infects humans. More than a dozen types of bird flu have been identified, including the two strains that have most recently infected humans — H5N1 and H7N9. When bird flu does strike humans, it can be deadly.
Outbreaks of bird flu have occurred in Asia, Africa, North America and parts of Europe. Most people who have developed symptoms of bird flu have had close contact with sick birds. In a few cases, bird flu has passed from one person to another. Only sporadic human cases have been reported since 2015.
*AVIAN FLU SYMPTOMS OF BIRDS*
1. Sudden death without any signs
2. Lack of coordination
3. Purple discoloration of the wattles, combs, and legs
4. Soft-shelled or misshapen eggs
5. Lack of energy and appetite
6. Diarrhea
7. Swelling of the head, eyelids, comb, wattles and hocks
8. Nasal discharge
9. Decreased egg production
10. Coughing, sneezing
Poultry workers should be aware of the signs of avian influenza in poultry, so they can take immediate steps to protect themselves and other workers, quarantine the farm to prevent the spread of disease, and report the disease to the responsible animal health authorities.
*TOP TIPS FOR BIRD FLU PREVENTION*
1. Keep your birds indoors at high-risk times
This prevention measure aims to keep birds separate from migrating wild birds, which are thought to spread the virus.
2. If they can't go indoors, prevent access by wild birds to their food
However, measures to separate poultry from wild birds must be balanced with welfare. Certain birds, such as geese or ostriches, cannot easily be kept indoors. It is suggested that taking other measures to keep these birds separate from wild birds, like making sure their feed and water sources cannot be accessed by wild birds.
3. Biosecurity
"Even when birds are housed, a risk of infection remains, so this must be coupled with good biosecurity,
4. Make sure coops and other housing are kept clean
Another good move to help prevent further spread of the disease is to take extra steps to keep your coop clean, including disinfecting all bird houses on a regular basis.
5. Limit visitors to your flock
People moving between poultry flocks and the outside world could be a key factor in disease spread if infected wild birds are in the area. It is recommended that reducing the movement of people, vehicles or equipment to and from areas where poultry are kept.
6. Disinfect visitors and vehicles
If you can't reduce the movement of people into your flock any further, you can still improve you biosecurity even more by taking precautions to avoid the transfer of contamination by cleansing and disinfection of equipment, vehicles and footwear.
7. Report any suspicions straight away
It’s recommended that one should contact a vet straight away if one have any concerns - speedy action will help to protect other flocks in the area if the disease is confirmed.
*BIOSECURITY MEASURES TO CONTROL BIRD FLU*
Firstly, investigate all suspected cases of Avian Influenza and take appropriate preventive measures in case of confirmation of High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza (HPAI).
1. To limit the spread of the virus, destroy infected poultry safely.
2. Treat or dispose contaminated equipment, feeds, and manure to inactivate the virus.
3. Institute movement restrictions on the affected farm and all farms within at least 10km (surveillance zone).
4. Lastly, extend stamping-out measures to poultry farms in the vicinity or farms that have had dangerous contacts with infected farms.
*RABBIT HAEMORRHAGIC DISEASE VIRUS*
Rabbit hemorrhagic disease is a highly contagious disease of European rabbits caused by small, single-stranded RNA caliciviruses. There are two such viruses: classical rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus-1 (RHDV-1) and a variant virus, (RHDV-2 or RHDVb). RHDVs cause a disease characterized by convulsions, paralysis, and respiratory signs, including depression and inappetence. Morbidity and mortality may reach up to 90% within 36 hours. In captivity, transmission is by the oral-fecal route. In the wild it is likely spread by mosquitos and fleas.
*HOW CAN RABBITS GET RHDV?*
Rabbits can catch the virus by inhalation, ingestion, or by absorption through scrapes and wounds. It can be transmitted by direct contact with an infected rabbit or by contact with an object, person, clothing, or equipment that has encountered an affected rabbit. Rabbits are also able to catch the virus through consumption of contaminated water or food. Insects can spread the virus over long distances.
*SYMPTOMS OF RHDV*
1. Loss of appetite
2. Lethargy
3. High fever
4. Seizures
5. Jaundice
6. Bleeding from nose, mouth, or re**um
7. Difficulty breathing
8. Sudden death
RHDV is often a very swift and sudden killer, giving little warning. Rabbits may die without showing any symptoms at all. Any sudden rabbit death is suspicious and should be reported to your veterinarian as a possible case of RHDV.
*HOW CAN I PREVENT RHD?*
The most important way to prevent the disease is to take precautions to prevent exposing your rabbits to the virus.
1. If rabbits are housed outside, house them off the ground when possible. Do not use material from outside for food or bedding.
2. Wild rabbits. Do not allow wild rabbits to come into your yard and try to prevent dogs, cats, birds, and other animals from bringing rabbit carcasses onto your property. If you do find deceased rabbits, contact the health department.
3. Do not spread on your hands or clothing. After handling a rabbit, wash your hands. Avoid handling rabbits that are not yours. Before handling rabbits in different locations, change clothes and shoes as well as wash your hands. Ensure that everyone who visits your rabbits washes their hands thoroughly before touching your rabbits and wears protective clothing such as coveralls, shoes covers, hair covers and gloves.
4. Avoid borrowing equipment. If you need to borrow equipment or if you buy used equipment, thoroughly scrub with a 10% bleach and water solution (1 part bleach, 9 parts water), leaving it to soak for at least 10 minutes before rinsing and letting dry.
5. Do not add new rabbits. If you must, make sure they are kept in a separate housing area. Do not use the same equipment for the new and old rabbits.
6. If you find a deceased rabbit, report it to a veterinarian.Double-bag the body, spray the outside of each bag with diluted bleach (1 part bleach, 9 parts water), and then dispose of the bag properly. Wash your hands thoroughly and change clothes or disinfect all clothing/footwear/equipment used before handling other rabbits.
*TREATMENT*
There is no known cure for RHDV. RHDV treatment is supportive care in isolation. There are currently no known effective anti-viral drugs or other treatments available.
This treatise may be the last for the semester but there's an important topic that may feature in the tenth edition. And we wish that it's presented before the semester runs out. Nevertheless, anticipate.
*REFERENCE*
https://www.tsln.com
https://swnydlfc.cce.cornell.edu
https://www.alltech.com
www.thepoultrysite.com
www.mayoclinic.org
https://gemplers.com
https://www.afrimash.com
https://www.sciencedirect.com
http://publichealth.lacounty.gov
rabbit.org
For suggestions and enquiries, contact:
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