cl. chouvei blackleg

1. BLACKLEG (BLACK
QUARTER)

2. BLACK QUARTER
• Blackleg is an acute, highly fatal, bacterial
disease, mainly affecting cattle and buffaloes,
between ages of 6 months to 2 years
• The disease is caused by Clostridium chauvoei,
• The characterized signs are the development of
emphysematous swelling (puffy) in
• muscles.
• The name ‘blackleg’ derives from the fact that
the infection mainly seen at the leg muscles,
which become dark (black) in color, seen at PM.

3. Etiology
• The disease organisms (Cl. Chauvoei) are
spore forming, gas producing bacteria
which can live
• in soil for years at dormant state. The
disease is sporadic, mainly seen in cattle
and buffaloes,
• Rarely in sheep and goats. More cases of
disease are seen during or after the rain or
flood season, particularly at semi-hilly
areas.

4. TRANSMISSION
• Soil born
• Spores 1st enter the gastro-intestinal
tract, along with contaminated
soil/pasture
• Then blood and finally, in muscles of
the body.
• Not transmitted from sick to healthy
animals

5. CLINICAL SIGNS
• In per-acute cases, sudden
death may occur without any
clinical illness
• Initially rises in body
temperature (104-106 F) for
a day or two, then it drop to
normal to sub-normal.
• Acute lameness, swelling on
affected muscles, dyspnea,
anorexia and general
depression

6. CLINICAL SIGNS
• swelling will be edematous & emphysematous
(spongy) seen at deep palpation, at the back,
hip, thigh, neck, shoulder or chest areas.
• At 1st the swelling will be hot and very painful,
but at later, it may become cold and
• insensitive.
• The skin at affected site may become dry (dead).
• Finally, the animal will become recumbent and
die within 2-3 days.
• Sudden death may be occur

10. TREATMENT
• The onset of blackleg is sudden, so only early
treatment with antibiotic is effective.
• Use of Penicillin, Aureomycin, Oxytetracycline,
given in heavy doses, by IM as well as
• locally is affective.
• Anti-inflammatory drugs, as Dexamethasone,
be given by IM to reduce swellings.
• Blackleg antiserum (if available) is very good
and can be given along with antibiotics.

11. Control and prevention
• Blackleg can effectively be controlled by
vaccination.
• Alum precipitated Blackleg vaccine is available
for use in animals.
• A Clostridia poly-vaccine (containing Blackleg,
Malignant-edema, Black-disease, and
Enterotoxaemia), is also available, which
provides protection against many diseases.
• Young calves should be given 2 shots of vaccine,
at 14 days apart, starting at the age of 4
months, or before the start of rainy season.

12. Control and prevention
• Followed then revaccination 1st at 1 year and then 5
years intervals (in endemic areas).
• During the disease outbreaks, animals can be
vaccinated, side-by-side with Penicillin
• injection. (It will prevent new cases during the next
10 days, after that the vaccine provides protection).
• Implementation of strict biosecurity and quarantine
measures are necessary during Blackleg outbreaks,
• Proper disposal of dead animals, by deep burial or
burning.
• Don't graze animals on known disease areas or
contaminated pastures.