Blackquater is caused by Cloastriidium chauvoei. It is an important
cause of cattle death in tropical areas. It usually occurs in areas or
farms with a known history of the disease. Therefore, regular routine annual
vaccination of cattle under three years of age is often carried out in
these areas.
Clinical signs:
Hot painful swellings of muscles of hindquarters and sometimes forequarters cause lameness, depression, high fever and death within one to two days. Animals are often just found dead. The disease is usually associated with certain areas, farms, etc.
Treatment:
Treatment should be carried out as soon as possible. Early cases of
blackquarter may respond to treatment with large doses of penicillin and
specific antiserum. The prognosis is usually poor, therefore, emphasis
should be on how to control the disease.
Control measures:
Vaccination is the most effective method in control blackquarter. Vaccines
based on formalin- killed cultures of the various organisms are used in
many parts of the world. In some countries, vaccinating cattle under the
age of three against blackquarter is free of charge or is mandatory. Because
of the difficulties in differentiating between blackquarter and malignant
oedema in the field, combined vaccines against C. chauvoei, C. septicum
and C. novyi are sometimes used.
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