Synonyms

No known synonym

Name of the disease in English

Bacillary hemoglobinuria

The disease in brief

This is an infection by Clostridia (Cl. hemolyticum and Cl. Novyi) causing hemolysis that is often fatal; the disease is rare, with an increased frequency in summer-autumn. The disease can cause high losses (25%), especially when it is favored by the migration of Fasciola hepatica larvae into the liver parenchyma.

Clinic & diagnosis

The disease is suspected by observing the sudden appearance (a few hours, during the day, 1-2 days) of signs combining:

-Pale or icteric mucous membranes, or black diarrhea, or brown urine.

-A rapid progression towards death, identifiable by: Either marked enophthalmos, or tachypnea, or an expiratory complaint or edema at the entrance to the chest, or a bovine which is reluctant to move.

Typical sign of the disease

No description

Pictures

See below

Diagnostic formulas

No description

Differential diagnosis

– Puerperal hemoglobinuria-UR10

– Babesiosis UR14

– Poisoning by cabbages, onions, garlic N24

– Hemolytic jaundice-Various causes -UR14.1

Confirm a suspicion?

Confirmation can be obtained by autopsy of cadavers and isolation of bacteria from an organ sample allowing anaerobiosis to be maintained.

Prognosis and treatment

The prognosis is always poor; early treatment can be attempted at the onset of the disease-febrile phase; high-dose penicillin or tetracycline can be used in combination with support of the general condition by large-volume infusion.

Prevention

Prevention can be done at two levels:

- Control of infestation by Fasciola hepatica which will lead to removing cattle from infested wetlands during the summer period.

- Vaccination against Clostridial infections before the summer period; renewal every year is to be expected, as long as the risk exists.

References

–Veterinary Medicine-Pocket companion -9th Edition BLOOD DC-page 295