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Leptospirosis - Cattle and Sheep (view source)
Revision as of 21:31, 8 September 2010
, 21:31, 8 September 2010no edit summary
* Icterus
* Icterus
* Haemoglobinuria
* Haemoglobinuria
Subacute form:
* lethargy
* Pyrexia
* Flaccid udder
* Abortion, still births or weak calves
Enzootic/chronic form:
Enzootic/chronic form:
* Infertility
* Infertility
* Milk drop
* Milk drop
===Laboratory Tests===
===Laboratory Tests===
Leptospirosis can be diagnosed by rising antibody titre in paired serum samples in the acute and subacute forms, however in the chronic form the initial infection may not be obvious and serology is not useful if the disease is enzootic in the herd.
Culture on special media and flouresent antibody techniques on tissues can be used to demonstrate the causative organism.
In dairy herds, a bulk milk sample will give an indication of the disease status of the herd.
===Pathology===
===Pathology===
==Treatment==
==Treatment==
Treatment in acute cases is supportive in conjunction with antibiotics. A blood transfusion may be necessary if haemolytic anaemia is severe in calves; oxytetracycline, tetracyclines, enrofloxacin and erythromycin may all be effective if administered early enough.
Chronic infections can also be treated with antibiotics,
Urinary excretion can be reduced by administering dihydrostreptomycin or amoxycillin
Urinary excretion can be reduced by administering dihydrostreptomycin or amoxycillin