The common cattle diseases are generally infectious in nature. Many of these pathologies are also zoonotic diseases, that is, they are diseases that can affect humans if their meat or milk is consumed. Would you like to know more about dairy cow diseases? Or the diseases of bulls and oxen?
In this article on our site we will focus on explaining the common diseases of cattle, with basic advice about the symptoms and treatment of various diseases of calves, cows or ox. Discover here the diseases transmitted by cows, their causes and forms of transmission.
The most frequent cattle pathologies
Infectious diseases in dairy and meat producing cattle are considered a serious problem that can affect public he alth, for this reason, there is in Spain an extensive cattle he alth program [1] that all producers should follow and apply.
In addition to harming the he alth of the animal, these infectious diseases are difficult to control in large populations of individuals once the animals have been infected, which can lead to considerable economic loss and/or to slaughter of a large number of infected animals.
The common cattle diseases are:
- Mastitis
- Babesiosis
- Brucellosis
- Aphtose fever
- Tuberculosis
- Clostridiosis
- Leptospirosis
- Hoof problems
- Internal parasites
Prevention of diseases in cattle
To prevent and detect in time any of the common diseases in cattle, the ideal is to carry out an adequate preventive medicine Yes There are good accommodations, hygienic measures, veterinary monitoring, we comply with animal welfare and a correct vaccination and deworming schedule is also carried out, it is possible to ensure, as far as possible, a good state of he alth of the individuals.
Preventive medicine and involvement in animal welfare have a direct impact on the animals' quality of life, but it is also beneficial for the farmer, who sees reduced mortality of bovines, observes a lower number of costs, increases production and also avoids a possible public he alth risk.
Bovine diseases common in dairy cows
The dairy cows are those intended to produce milk during their so-called "useful life". It is important to note that, in order to produce milk, cows are inseminated artificially throughout the "productive cycle" starting even before they are a year old. Once failed inseminations occur, the cow is "culled" as a dairy cow, usually around the sixth year of life.
Bovine mastitis
Among the most common diseases in dairy cows we highlight bovine mastitis, an infectious and contagious disease caused by bacteria of different types that cause an infection in the mammary glands of the cow.
It is, without a doubt, the most frequent disease that affects dairy cows and, due to this high incidence, the mastitis generates great economic losses and directly affects the welfare of the cows that suffer from it. The milk of a cow with mastitis becomes s alty, with purulent secretions and contains infectious molecules, totally unsuitable for consumption.
Babesiosis
Babesiosis is a disease caused by a protozoan called Babesia SP., one of the many diseases transmitted by ticks. Once the cow is infected, the disease is very difficult to control, due to the high cost of treatmentIt generally affects milk production, but in some cases, in addition, if the cow's immunological status is not adequate, cows can be slaughtered.
Livestock diseases include postpartum problems in cows
It is vitally important that after calving the cow is monitored regularly in order to detect early any disease or problem in the reproductive tract. Especially between the second and third week after calving, cows are very susceptible to various pathologies, mainly because their immune system is more vulnerable
Below we show you some of the diseases of the reproductive tract of a bovine caused by bacterial infections. These pathologies can affect the majority of individuals in a herd:
- Metritis
- Clinical endometritis
- Subclinical cytological endometritis
- Purulent vaginal discharge
Metabolic diseases of cows
One of the most common metabolic diseases in cows is hypocalcemia, although it also goes by other names, such as puerperal hypocalcemia, milk or puerperal paresis. This pathology is associated with a low concentration of calcium in the blood and directly affects the production of dairy cows and those that have had calves. Calcium is important for bovine heart rate and muscle contraction, therefore calcium deficiency can lead to neuromuscular dysfunction, circulatory collapse and even cause fades
This pathology can be prevented through adequate supplementation of essential vitamins and minerals, especially during the reproductive stage of the cow and the postpartum period. We must not forget that a large percentage of the cow's calcium ends up in the drinking milk. Because the body cannot replace the percentage of calcium lost, cows often faint after calving, but also show cold extremities, muscle tremors, tetany, etc.
Infectious diseases in cattle
brucellosis is a contagious and infectious disease that usually affects cows in the reproductive period, however, it can also appear in bovines of different ages and of both sexes. It affects reproductive cows causing abortions, retained placenta, metritis, infertility and subfertility. In the case of survival, calves are usually weak and underdeveloped.
Injection of Vitamin B12 remains the best prevention against abortion, however, not it immunizes against the causative agent of the disease, so once the disease has spread among cattle it is quite complicated to eliminate and seropositive animals must be euthanized. Although the disease has a cure, treatment is generally unfeasible due to high costs. It should also be noted that it is a zoonotic disease
Cow hoof diseases
Cattle hoof disease is one of the main diseases affecting dairy cows. It is due to various causes that contribute to the installation of pathogens in the hooves, bones, ligaments and joints of the skin and subcutaneous tissues.
The causes of hoof disease in cattle are as follows:
- Digital dermatitis
- Interdigital dermatitis
- Interdigital cellulite
- Interdigital hyperplasia
- Laminitis or Pododermatitis aseptic
- Aseptic in pododermatitis
- Septic pododermatitis
A diet rich in carbohydrates, not trimming the hooves, stepping on wet and rough floors or the lack of cleanliness of the grounds contribute to the appearance of the disease. However, hoof disease in cattle is usually caused by a secondary bacterial infection which, if left untreated, can lead to myiasis (worms in the tissues) and generalized swelling of the hooves and limb.
To prevent this disease we emphasize ensuring an adequate diet that prevents ruminal acidosis, a digestive disease. Hooves should also be trimmed and the ground kept in good condition, free from excessive moisture, faeces or urine.
Diseases associated with livestock that can affect humans
There are two main diseases that are zoonotic, that is, transmissible to humans:
- Brucellosis: can be transmitted through unpasteurized milk, cheese and dairy products in general, but also by contact directly with the blood or manure of infected animals.
- Tuberculosis: is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium bovis and can be transmitted through the air or through direct contact with the droppings of sick animals. The symptoms appear only in its final stage, for this reason it is considered difficult to diagnose and treat. Sick animals have difficulty breathing, weight loss, dry cough and weakness.
