NEWS for North Dakotans
Agriculture Communication, North Dakota State University
7 Morrill Hall, Fargo, ND 58105-5665

February 18, 1999

Sick Livestock Demand Caution and Common Sense, Vet Says

Common sense and caution will protect North Dakota livestock producers and their animals from a existing and emerging disease threats, says a North Dakota State University veterinarian.

DT104, a form of salmonella that is resistant to several antibiotics has been identified as the cause of at least six livestock disease outbreaks in the region in the last year and is likely to be on many more farms, says Neil Dyer a pathologist with NDSU's Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. Although DT104 can spread rapidly and cause disease in humans, producers should not be overly concerned.

"Certainly some of the pathogens that we deal with in livestock are also of concern to humans," Dyer says. "The same steps that we take to protect ourselves and other livestock from those pathogens will be effective against DT104.

Good hygiene is a key, Dyer says. Frequent handwashing, clean surroundings and liberal use of disinfectants will help keep disease development and spread in check. "And it's always a good idea when dealing with a sick animal to use extra caution," he says.

Dyer says DT104 arrives at most farms with new animals. "Isolate those animals and reduce their stress level as much as possible for the first 30 days if possible," he advises. "It's best if you can find out about the background of any animals that you bring onto your farm. Know their health and vaccination history."

The stress of moving animals into new surroundings often prompts an outbreak of diseases. "If they're going to break with disease, it's likely to be in those first few weeks that you have them on your farm," he says.

DT104 and other pathogens can also be carried by runoff from surrounding farms, rodents, birds and pets. That makes good sanitation a key. Availability of clean drinking water will keep animals from drinking from contaminated sources. Keeping rodents under control prevents them from spreading pathogens to feed and bedding. General cleanliness keeps pathogen populations in check. "Bacterial pathogens can persist for long periods of time in biological material, so keeping livestock, waste, bedding and spilled feed cleaned up is important," Dyer says.

The first clinical sign that DT104 or one of many other pathogens is causing disease is an outbreak of scours. Young calves are especially susceptible. The best time to call a local veterinarian is when the initial signs of an outbreak are observed, Dyer says.

"Veterinarians can help diagnose the problem right away. Producers will be money ahead if they call immediately instead of letting five calves die," he says.

Often producers will attempt to treat disease outbreaks themselves with antibiotics. Dyer urges caution with the emergence of DT104 and other antibiotic-resistant pathogens. Exposure to antibiotics can prompt the development of added resistance in pathogens.

"It's a good idea to consult your veterinarian before you begin a course of treatment," Dyer says. "Veterinarians often have a good idea of what strains of pathogens are active and what the best treatments are. The more specific we are in our use of antibiotics, the more effective they'll be and the less likely we are to prompt the development of resistant pathogens."

A local veterinarian may call on the expertise of NDSU's Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory to help identify the source of disease and recommend a course of treatment. Dyer says early involvement of a veterinarian in those cases is crucial. "It's very difficult to diagnose a problem in an animal that's been treated with a wide range of antibiotics," he says. "We need samples from newly sick animals that haven't been treated yet to perform accurate diagnostic tests."

Although producers can submit samples directly to the diagnostic laboratory, the involvement of a local veterinarian is often key. "We can usually identify the pathogen, but your local veterinarian knows the environment and your production system. That veterinarian can help you determine how the pathogen got onto your farm and what steps you can take to break the disease cycle and prevent it from happening again."

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Source: Neil Dyer (701) 231-7521

Editor: Tom Jirik (701) 231-9629