Vets issue Blackleg warning

Several recent cases of blackleg in young cattle in the Mid Coast Livestock Health and Pest Authority have prompted a warning from LHPA district vets about the need for vaccination.

Deaths from blackleg have been confirmed on three properties in the Kempsey area in the last month, according to Ian Poe, Mid Coast LHPA senior district vet.

"Blackleg is a rapidly fatal disease affecting young cattle caused by a clostridial bacterium," he said.

"Bacterial spores can lie dormant in the soil for years and may be ingested by cattle. Under the right conditions in the animal the spores can germinate and multiply.

"As the bacteria multiply they produce toxins which lead to rapid death."

Dr Poe said in many cases affected cattle are just found dead, however occasionally an animal may be seen with lameness and swelling within a muscle.

"Quite often it is the best conditioned young animals in a mob that are affected," he said.

"Animals that die as a result of blackleg appear to decompose quite quickly and the skin of animals which have died from blackleg may have a crackly feel due to gas accumulation. When the lesion is in an internal muscle such as the diaphragm or the heart there may be no external signs and a full post mortem is required to confirm the diagnosis.

"At post-mortem the affected muscle area is very dark in colour and has a crackly feel.

"The only effective way of controlling blackleg is through vaccination, with either 5-in-1 or 7-in-1 vaccine."

Dr Poe recommends giving calves two vaccinations four to six weeks apart, with a booster every 12 months.

"If young stock are purchased and the vaccination history is unknown it would be wise to vaccinate them."

Contact your local LHPA district vet or private vet for further information or to discuss a vaccination program.

Media contact: Kylie Dunn 6391 3720 / 0428 465 378