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Actinomyces is a normal commensal of the oral cavity, upper respiratory tract and digestive tract of cattle, it gains entry to underlying soft tissues when the mucosa is damaged by trauma or eruption of teeth. It causes an inflammatory reaction, the connective tissue proliferates and is followed by infiltration of leukocytes which results in the formation of a walled off granuloma. The granuloma invades the bones of the head, in particular the mandible, and continues to grow in size.

Actinomyces is a normal commensal of the oral cavity, upper respiratory tract and digestive tract of cattle, it gains entry to underlying soft tissues when the mucosa is damaged by trauma or eruption of teeth. It causes an inflammatory reaction, the connective tissue proliferates and is followed by infiltration of leukocytes which results in the formation of a walled off granuloma. The granuloma invades the bones of the head, in particular the mandible, and continues to grow in size.

Lesions are characterised by gross swelling, abscesses and draining fistulae overlying granulation of the mandible and maxilla. In some cases the [[Oesophagus - Anatomy & Physiology|oesophagus]] and [[Oesophageal groove|oesophageal groove]] may become involved but the lymph nodes are not affected.

Lesions are characterised by gross swelling, abscesses and draining fistulae overlying granulation of the mandible and maxilla. In some cases the [[Oesophagus - Anatomy & Physiology|oesophagus]] and [[Oesophageal Groove|oesophageal groove]] may become involved but the lymph nodes are not affected.

==Signalment==

==Signalment==