Clostridial disease prevention is important

Calving season is upon us and with new life also comes continual challenges with diseases that can cause sickness.

Vic Cortese, director of immunology and biologicals with Zoetis, said Clostridial diseases are not new and vaccines have not changed much, but there continues to be problems with the Clostridial bacteria. Cortese discussed the topic during the Cattlemen’s College held prior to the 2018 Cattle Industry Convention in Phoenix, Arizona, on Jan. 31.

“Clostridial bacteria, as a family, doesn’t grow in a normal animal. It only shows up when there is an absence of blood flow, therefore these are not contagious diseases,” said Cortese. “But when Clostridials show up, they must be dealt with.”

Clostridials are the primary method for nature to break down organic material. When an animal dies the Clostridial bacteria are common for breakdown and that can make it difficult to diagnose Clostridial diseases. The bacteria can actually survive for 50 years or more and pass through animals, but won’t show up if there is never a disturbance of blood flow in the body.

Very cold weather can kill Clostridial spores, but under favorable environmental conditions the spores can thrive. Clostridial diseases are generally grouped by what toxins they release. Enterotoxins are in the gastrointestinal tract. This includes overeating disease. Histotoxins are gas gangrene and musculoskeletal disease including Blackleg, malignant edema, gas gangrenes and Redwater disease. Neurotoxins affect the nervous system and include tetanus and botulism.

“Having different species in the same pasture can make diseases show up differently. In a pasture where horses are with cattle, we tend to see more cases of tetanus, especially in banded calves,” Cortese said.

Intestinal diseases are most common in young calves. A disruption of blood flow is seen in aggressive nursers. Cortese said producers should make sure calves are nursing all day and not just once per day in fall calving herds because heat stress can cause Clostridial diseases to show up in these young calves.

Since Clostridial diseases are not contagious, prevention and controlling factors contributing to disruption of blood flow and vaccination programs are the best option.

“It is important to provide consistency in feed and intakes. Minimizing overcrowding, bullying and rough trucking and trailering situations that cause stress will help prevent Clostridial diseases,” said Cortese. “Minimizing overgrazing and access to areas with rotting and spoiling vegetation can also help prevent these diseases.”

Clostridium vaccines are available in many different combinations. First, a young calf needs to get a good amount of colostrum to help fight all diseases, Cortese said. Vaccines should be given to meet the needs of the herd and not cause a decrease in efficacy.

“In older calves, combination vaccines can be more effective. Newborn calves should not be given seven- or eight-way vaccines because it can affect milk intake. Colostrum immunity is more important and could affect future performance,” said Cortese.

If a cow is given a seven- or eight-way vaccine prior to calving, in most parts of the country, Cortese said calves should get some of the coverage from that vaccine and won’t need calf vaccines until pre- or post-weaning.

“Be sure to know if the vaccine you are giving will require a booster,” he said. “Clostridial vaccines need careful timing because they can cause calves to cut back on eating, especially when given with other vaccines.”

Proper beef quality assurance is important with vaccines. Clostridial vaccines should be given subcutaneously and will cause a knot at vaccination site, which will eventually go down. If given improperly as an intramuscular vaccination, permanent scarring will occur.

Vaccines should be stored at proper temperatures and never stored in the door of the refrigerator. Vaccines should never be used if they have frozen as important toxins could be killed. New needles should always be used when drawing more vaccine into a syringe to help prevent putting bacteria into the bottle and damaging the vaccine.

“Clostridial is an old disease, but we are still learning about it and how to manage with the use of vaccines and more importantly preventing the diseases all together,” said Cortese.

Jennifer Carrico can be reached at 515-833-2120 or [email protected].