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Tyzzer's disease is an acute, highly fatal bacterial infection that is seen in a wide range of animals. It most commonly affects foals and laboratory animals as well as dogs, cats and calves. Foals are usually affected individually in sporadic cases whereas outbreaks of disease occur in rodents and rabbits. The bacteria that causes the disease is ''Clostridium piliforme'', a gram negative spore-forming intracellular bacterium.
Tyzzer's disease is an acute, highly fatal bacterial infection that is seen in a wide range of animals. It most commonly affects foals and laboratory animals as well as dogs, cats and calves. Foals are usually affected individually in sporadic cases whereas outbreaks of disease occur in rodents and rabbits. The bacteria that causes the disease is ''Clostridium piliforme'', a gram negative spore-forming intracellular bacterium.
The aetiology of the disease is poorly understood. Infection most likely results from oral exposure; possible mechanisms include ingestion of spore-forming faeces or contact with carrier animals. The disease most commonly affects young stressed animals.
The aetiology of the disease is poorly understood. Infection most likely results from oral exposure; possible mechanisms include ingestion of spore-forming faeces or contact with carrier animals. The disease most commonly affects young stressed animals.
The disease in rabbits and rodents is usually characterised by an unkempt coat, depression and fatal diarrhoea. The disease in foals is an acute septicaemia hepatitis and foals between one and six weeks of age are affected. Clinical signs include depression, loss of suckle reflex, severe icterus, neurological signs, pyrexia and diarrhoea. Foals may be found dead with no preceding clinical signs.
The disease in rabbits and rodents is usually characterised by an unkempt coat, depression and fatal diarrhoea. The disease in foals is an acute septicaemia hepatitis and foals between one and six weeks of age are affected. Clinical signs include depression, loss of suckle reflex, severe icterus, neurological signs, pyrexia and diarrhoea. Foals may be found dead with no preceding clinical signs.
==Diagnosis==
==Diagnosis==
Definitive diagnosis relies on observation of intracellular bacteria at the periphery of liver lesions or bacterial culture. Giemsa stain is used to visualise the bacteria.
Definitive diagnosis relies on observation of intracellular bacteria at the periphery of liver lesions or bacterial culture. Giemsa stain is used to visualise the bacteria.
Laboratory diagnostic tests are of little value in small mammals as death is usually rapid. In foals, clinicopathologic abnormalities often include metabolic acidosis, hypoglycaemia, haemoconcentration and increased hepatic enzymes.
==Prevention==
==Prevention==
No vaccines are available for prevention of Tyzzer's disease. Good hygiene is therefore essential for decreasing the risk of clinical disease. Stress factors such as transport and overcrowding have been linked to Tyzzer's disease, therefore these should be minimised.
No vaccines are available for prevention of Tyzzer's disease. Good hygiene is therefore essential for decreasing the risk of clinical disease. Stress factors such as transport and overcrowding have been linked to Tyzzer's disease, therefore these should be minimised. Adequate colostrum intake is particularly important.