In a Dutch dairy, a fire or meadow coccidiosis (Eimeria alabamensis) has broken out among the calves on the farm aged between 5 and 9 months. In a short time four calves died. This reports Veekijkernieuws Rundvee.
© Photography Twan Wiermans
One of the calves was presented to Royal GD, where an infection with the bacterium Clostridium chauveii was found. The spores of this bacterium can survive in the soil for decades. Contact with the veterinarian showed that the farmer had dug new trenches and scattered the land released in the country. Roughage was then extracted here, which probably contained bacterial spores. Roughage is eaten by the young stock.
The farmer gave the remaining animals different fodder for a few weeks and the veterinarian vaccinated them. According to GD, lightning outbreaks are very random. It is mainly seen after excavation work, where the soil is spread over the ground or to cover pits for roughage.
Symptoms
Boltfire can mainly occur among sheep and cattle between the ages of 6 months and 2 years. The first symptom is usually lameness and severe general illness, with loss of appetite, rapid breathing, high fever, and listlessness. The characteristic subcutaneous swellings are often seen in the blood-rich buttocks, but can also be seen in the shoulder, chest, back, neck, or elsewhere.
Swellings increase due to the gas associated with inflammation. The animal usually dies between 12 and 48 hours after these symptoms occur. This can happen so quickly that infected cattle are found dead without the farmer seeing any symptoms of the disease.
If a shutter fire has been detected, several cases need to be considered. It is therefore advisable to vaccinate these cattle as soon as possible. Furthermore, it is recommended to measure the temperature during the first days after vaccination and to administer antibiotics if necessary. Boltfire can be prevented by vaccinating livestock in advance.
