Beef cattle production and management
Practical Action
Control
Dipping
Vaccinations
January Disease (Theleriosis)
Occurrence
The disease is common in summer between the months of December and March with most cases
being observed in January hence the name of the disease. The disease is transmitted by brown
ear ticks. Young cattle are more prone to get the infection than older animals. Deaths are higher
in exotic breeds than in indigenous breeds.
Clinical signs
The disease is usually fatal fever
Swelling of lymph nodes
Loss of appetite
Lacrimation and cloudiness of the eyes
Listlessness
Terminally there is laboured breathing and froth exuding from the nose and the animal
collapses and dies.
Postmortem
Generalized swelling of the lymph nodes
Froth in windpipe and fluid in the lungs
Cloudy eyes
Abomasal wall is swollen and haemorrhagic ulcers may be seen
Diagnosis
History
Clinical signs and postmortem findings
Parasite identification on lymph node and spleen smears
Treatment
Butalex
Clexon
Control
Dipping
Vaccination
Heartwater
Occurrence
It is common during the rainy season. The disease is transmitted by bont ticks. Young stock
can resist the disease. Exotic breeds are highly susceptible.
Clinical signs
Fever
Loss of appetite, depression and laboured breathing
Nervous signs: exaggerated blinking of eyelids, twitching of the eyes, walking in circles and a
high stepping gait, convulsions lying on one side with limbs making running movements
followed by coma and death
The disease can also cause sudden death
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