Synonyms

Allergic extrinsic alveolitis (acute form)

Name of the disease in English

Cattle farmer's lung; Extrinsic allergic alveolitis

The disease in brief

This is a pulmonary hypersensitivity (Arthus phenomenon = HS III due to inhaled antigens) to chronic inhalation of microorganisms, most often thermophilic actinomycetes contained in moldy or dusty hay, straw or cereals. The disease occurs in cattle in the stable in contact with these antigens.

Clinic & diagnosis

A bovine presenting with expiratory dyspnea (difficult or forced expiration) indicating interstitial pneumonia, with a normal respiratory sound on auscultation, may be suspected of the disease if it is in contact with moldy or dusty hay, straw or cereals; a recurrence of symptoms in the stable and an improvement outside may also be noted. This disease progresses acutely in one day or in 1 to 3 days. There is also a chronic form.

Typical sign of the disease

No description

Pictures

See below

Diagnostic formulas

No description

Differential diagnosis

The differential diagnosis must be made with other causes of acute interstitial pneumonia:

– Bronchopneumonia-Emphysema virus RS RS26.2

– Emphysema of the regains-acute form RS28

and with Acute Bronchopneumonia - Bacterial Infection stage RS24

Confirm a suspicion?

There is no easy way to confirm; remove the cattle from the mold and see if the problem improves significantly.

Prognosis and treatment

The treatment consists of removing the cattle from the dusty atmosphere of the stables and especially from moldy fodder.

Prevention

-Control the drying of hay; if hay becomes moldy by accident, do not distribute it in poorly ventilated stables, and do not put it in racks raised above the cattle.

-Review the ventilation of the stables.

References

Veterinary Medicine-Pocket companion -9th Edition BLOOD DC-page 668