Beef cattle production and management
Practical Action
When an animal is siffering from heartwater, the sac may have much fluid in it.
Postmortem
Fluid in heart sac, chest and occasionally in abdominal cavity
Oedematous lungs and froth in the trachea
Enlarged spleen
Haemorrhage on surface of lung and in trachea.
Diagnosis
History
Clinical signs
Parasite identification on brain crush smears
Treatment
It is effective during the early stages of the disease. When the animal is recumbent the drug can
be given intravenously to have a reasonable chance of success. The drug of choice is oxytetracyc
Iine.
Control
• Dipping
Blackleg (Quarter Evil)
40