OBSERVATION ON AN OUTBREAK OF RESPIRATORY DISTRESS IN FEED LOT CALVES, EPIDEMIOLOGICAL CLINICAL AND MICROBILOGICAL FINDINGS

Selim, A.M.; El-Shaheed, M.; Zaki, M.; Sel-Atrash, S.; Abaza, F.

doi:10.21608/avmj.1998.183152

OBSERVATION ON AN OUTBREAK OF RESPIRATORY DISTRESS IN FEED LOT CALVES, EPIDEMIOLOGICAL CLINICAL AND MICROBILOGICAL FINDINGS

Document Type : Research article

Authors

¹ Dept. of Animal Medicine, Zagazig Univ.

² Dept. of Microbiology, Suez Canal Univ.

³ Manager of Military Services

⁴ Head of Animal Production, Manager of the Farm

10.21608/avmj.1998.183152

Abstract

An outbreak of respiratory disease with deaths was reported among feedlot calves at 6 October Military farm Nobaria, Egypt. The outbreaks involved 584 calves aged from 6 - 10 months. The diseased condition started during winter of 1996 till April 1997. The clinical signs consisted mainly of dullness, elevated rectal temperature associated with respiratory manifestations Morbidity rate was high (69.34%), but mortality rate was low (4.1%). Bacteriological examination revealed isolation of Pasteurella haemolytica, Pasteurella multocida, Haemophlus somnus, Corynbacterium pyogenes, Salmonellae species and E.coli. Antibiotic sensitivity test revealed that all gram positive isolates were sensitive to Penicillin, Enrofloxcin, Ampicillin, Flumequine, Trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole. On the other hand Gram negative isolates were sensitive to Enrofloxcin, Chloramphenicol, Gentamycin, Oxytetracycline, Erythromycin, Cephalomycin and Trimethoprim- sulphamethoxazole. Stained blood smear examination from severely affected calves revealed bipolar organisms in some cases. Trials for isolation of virus, mycoplasma, fungus revealed negative results. Good clinical responses was a chieved with the use of Cidtryl (1 ml/ 40 kg B.W), antiinflamatory ,antihistaminic, bronchodilator and fluid therapy.

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