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Viral diseases without timely treatment bring significant losses to livestock farming. Pox in a cow reduces the amount of milk production and deteriorates the quality of meat. The disease spreads quickly throughout the herd and poses a threat to human health.

General characteristics of the disease

Cowpox – viral disease, which is characterized by the formation of pockmarks (ulcers) in the udder area and on the mucous membranes.

Smallpox pathogens

The smallpox virus is transmitted among cows through damaged epidermis or through feed, water and air. The cowpox virus lives outside the host's body for up to 16 months at a temperature of 5°C.

In hot countries, the pathogen lives less - up to 2 months. The smallpox virus affects cows regardless of age and breed. Cowpox is general illness and is transmitted to horses, goats and pigs.

A sick animal is not dangerous to a vaccinated person. However, pregnant women and children are prohibited from visiting places infected with smallpox.

Ways of transmission of the disease

Smallpox infection in cows and bulls occurs gradually. The disease affects individuals who have not been vaccinated. The most common reasons occurrence of the disease are:

feed, pastured grass and water containing the virus;
rodents, harmful insects and wild predatory animals;
dirty feeders and drinkers;
manure;
non-quarantined farm employees who have been vaccinated.

The pathogen enters the body of the artiodactyl through open wounds, respiratory tract or gastrointestinal tract. Cows with a lack of vitamin A can become infected from sick animals through tactile contact.

More often, artiodactyls are infected by people. A milkmaid who has not undergone quarantine after vaccination may contract the virus during milking.

Symptoms of smallpox

At the first stage, cowpox affects the mucous membranes and skin. The incubation period lasts from 3 to 9 days. Symptoms of smallpox in dairy cows and bulls include inflammation of the skin. There are three forms of the disease:

Acute – lasts up to 21 days, accompanied by fever and the formation of scabs.
Subacute - lasts 20-25 days, occurs without noticeable lesions on the epidermis.
Chronic is a rare form, characterized by the periodic appearance of ulcers on the mucous membranes.

Signs chickenpox in cows there is lethargy, apathy, and poor appetite. At acute form The disease develops like this:

During the first 3 days, hard papules form in the affected areas, which eventually turn into pustules.
From the mucous membrane, the virus penetrates the lymph nodes within 2 days and spreads throughout the body. This period is accompanied by fever and temperature up to 41°C. The blood composition undergoes changes.
The next symptom is enlarged lymph nodes. Partial necrosis of soft tissue occurs and scabs form.

Round pustules cover the cow's udder, oval ones cover the nipples. Pockmarks also form on the scrotum of bulls. Sometimes lesions appear on the neck and back of animals.

The ulcers begin to fester over time, causing pain to the animal. A sick cow often does not allow the milkmaid to approach her. Due to inflammation of the udder during smallpox, the artiodactyl walks with its hind legs spread wide apart.

Consequences of the disease

Smallpox in cows on the udder leads to smallpox mastitis. When pressed, the udder becomes hard and inflamed. The nipples become covered with scabs and scabs. Milk production decreases or stops altogether.

Males suffer the disease less noticeably. In calves, the disease provokes the appearance of diseases respiratory tract and gastroenteritis.

A pathological autopsy allows one to see ulcers on the epithelium of the gastric mucosa. Often observed internal hemorrhage and gangrene in the lungs. The heart of a sick individual is flabby. The liver has bright color, the spleen is enlarged.

When the mucous membrane of the eye is affected, the disease causes cataracts and blindness in calves. You can drink milk and eat meat from an infected animal only after full recovery artiodactyl. Individuals who have suffered the disease acquire immunity to it.

Treatment of cowpox

It is not difficult to cure an infected artiodactyl. First, the infected individual is isolated from the general herd. The artiodactyl is provided with a dense diet and sterile conditions.

Medicinal methods of control

The disease is treated with a vaccine. An antibiotic for smallpox in dairy cows is prescribed by a veterinarian. To support the stomach of a sick animal during this period, the following medications are used:

"Lactic acid";
"Biovit";
"Vetom 11".

Treatment of cows with smallpox includes external treatment. Antiseptics are used to cauterize epidermal lesions. Among them are the following:

drilling fluid;
chloramine 3%.

Dairy cows are given milk daily. If the damage does not allow this to be done manually, a milk catheter is used.

In case of smallpox in domestic cows, areas of inflammation on the udder should not be treated with emollient ointments. Through open sores bacteria enter the body. The exception is scabs on the nipples. To avoid bleeding due to cracks, they are treated with animal fat or glycerin.

If the pockmarks are in the nasopharynx, it is washed three times a day with warm boiled water with the addition of 2-3% boric acid. The muzzle is lubricated with zinc ointment.

If there is damage to the mucous membrane of the eyes, the cornea is washed with a solution of furatsilin. The procedure is repeated twice a day.

Folk methods of struggle

You cannot treat smallpox in domestic cows on your own - treatment is carried out under the supervision of a veterinarian. However, there are folk remedies, which help speed up the individual’s recovery and reduce pain.

Artiodactyls are transferred to green food. The following plants are added to the diet:

elderberry;
linden;
garlic.

Elderberry and sorrel solutions are used against smallpox on the udder of cattle. The affected areas are washed with such decoctions in the morning and evening.

Epidemic prevention

If signs of smallpox are detected in cows and other domestic animals, the farm is quarantined. It is prohibited to sell dairy and meat products; artiodactyls and equipment are transported outside the farm.

Every 5 days after identifying a new sick individual, the stalls are disinfected. To do this, use the following means:

sodium hydroxide – 3%;
formaldehyde – 1.5%;
lime – 15%.

Milk after double pasteurization is fed to calves. Equipment for milking and storing milk is washed with sodium hypochlorite solutions in proportions of 1:100.

The restriction on production is lifted 3 weeks after the last sick individual has recovered and the premises have been completely disinfected.

General prevention of smallpox

Chickenpox in cows and other artiodactyls can be caused by disorders sanitary standards content and lack drug prevention. Prevention of the disease includes a set of measures.

Drug prevention

The immunity of artiodactyls is most weakened during the transition from grazing to wintering. To prevent infection with the disease, the udders of animals have been lubricated daily since August with the following antiseptics:

"Burenka";
"Dawn";
"Lyubava."

These ointments prevent infection. Mandatory vaccination is carried out for all livestock. Acquired individuals are kept in quarantine for up to two weeks. If there are no vaccinations, contact a veterinarian.

IN mandatory Verify that all farm employees are vaccinated.

Folk prevention of smallpox

Once a month, the artiodactyl is given a decoction with the addition of elderberry and garlic. The udder is processed weak solution manganese A mixture of vodka and honey is also used for processing. This mixture is a natural antiseptic.

To reduce the risk of infection, it is important to properly arrange the resting and grazing area.

Cowshed

The premises for cattle are built according to the following rules:

the barn should be dry and warm, with good air circulation and without drafts;
width of one stall – 1.30 m, length – 3.5 m;
Barn lighting should be dim.

Every three days, the stalls are subjected to mechanical cleaning, and every 8 weeks - thorough washing with the addition of sodium. When switching to winter housing, the barn is cleaned and treated with slaked lime.

Feeders and drinkers are washed with water every week. Once a year, harmful insects and rodents are disinfected.

Diet

Proper nutrition is key good immunity. Individuals who suffer from vitamin deficiency are the first to become infected with the disease. An adult animal should receive the following products per day:

silage – 15 kg;
meadow hay – 2 kg;
spring straw and sunflower cake – 2.7 kg;
pine flour – 1 kg;
table salt – 0.07 kg.

Water also plays a role in cattle health. The watering place for animals should be in a flowing reservoir without fuel oil and chemical pollution. The virus is more common in stagnant, muddy water.

During the stall period, cows are given water spring water or melted snow. To maintain health, one artiodactyl requires 100 liters of fluid per day.

Cow diseases. Udder diaper rash.Diseases of the cows. Intertrigo udder.

Conclusion

Cowpox is a disease that quickly infects the entire herd. The consequences of the disease are a decrease in milk production, complications in artiodactyls and restrictions on the sale of products. Signs of the disease are the appearance of pockmarks on the skin of the artiodactyl and restlessness of the animals. Treatment of smallpox in domestic cows includes a set of procedures. As a preventative measure, a vaccine is used to build immunity in artiodactyls.

Cowpox (Variola vaccinia) is an acute contagious disease caused by epitheliotropic DNA-containing viruses and characterized by fever, the development of specific exanthemas (nodules, vesicles, papules), mainly in the area of the udder and nipples, as well as exanthemas on the mucous membrane of the mouth, lips and nose. (usually in calves), and sometimes on other parts of the body.

Etiology. Pathogens of true cowpox–Coworthopoxvirus and vaccinia – Vaccina orthopoxvirus. Biological properties they are different, but morphologically they are similar. Chemical composition viruses are very complex. The virion contains carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, copper, sulfur, carbohydrates, lipids, and other substances. Cowpox and vaccinia viruses are found in the epithelial cells and scabs of the affected areas of sick animals. They are very similar in antigenic and immunogenic properties. They can be identified by a complex antigen located in their outer shell. They are relatively stable in the environment, especially if they are found in non-rotting tissues at sub-zero temperatures or in a dried (anabiotic) state. At 4°C the virus remains viable for 18 months, at 20°C up to 2 months. Boiling virus-containing material for 2-3 minutes inactivates the virus. At 70°C it dies in 5 minutes, at 60°C in 10 minutes, and at 55°C in 20 minutes. From ultraviolet irradiation it dies after 4 hours and is quickly destroyed under the influence of ultrasound. In a 50% glycerol solution, the virus persists for a long time. The virus in the crusts is inactivated within an hour with a 3% solution of chloramine and within 2 hours with a 5% solution of carbolic acid.

Epizootological data. Cattle of all ages, horses, pigs, camels, donkeys, monkeys, rabbits, Guinea pigs and man. The source of viruses are sick and virus-carrying animals and humans, who are environment The virus is released with discharge from the nose and mouth, as well as with falling off crusts from the affected areas of the skin. Smallpox in cows usually occurs as an enzootic. Possibility of virus transmission noted blood-sucking insects, in whose body it can persist for more than 100 days. Mice and rats can carry the virus.

The main ways the virus enters the cow’s body is through damaged skin of the udder (during milking) and the mucous membrane of the mouth and respiratory organs. With hypovitaminosis A, the virus can enter the cow’s body through intact skin.

Pathogenesis. The smallpox virus enters the cow's body through aerogenic and nutritional routes, through contact of sick animals with healthy ones, as well as through contaminated objects. Viruses are inactive outside the cell. Viruses that penetrate epithelial cells undergo deproteinization by cellular enzymes. The nucleoproteins and nucleic acids released during this process overcome the enzymatic activity of the cells, after which the reproduction of smallpox viruses begins in the epithelium of the skin and mucous membranes. In areas where viruses are located, it develops focal inflammation. In the skin and mucous membranes, changes characteristic of smallpox occur: first, focal redness appears - roseola. From which, after 1-3 days, dense, raised nodules-papules are formed. Subsequently, the papules turn into vesicles and pustules. From the skin and mucous membrane of the organ, viruses penetrate into regional The lymph nodes, in the blood and internal organs. The period of viremia lasts no more than 2-3 days and is characterized by fever, depression, blood changes and hematopoietic organs. In the body of a cow, smallpox viruses, being antigens, stimulate immunological reactions. Anti-smallpox antibodies are produced in the spleen and lymph nodes. At the same time, in the lymph nodes regional to the areas of pockmark formation, proliferation of lymphoblasts that have antigenic information occurs and their transformation into plasma cells. As a result of the body's immune response, in the lymph nodes and spleen there is an increase in the number of plasmablasts, immature and mature plasma cells that produce specific anti-smallpox antibodies. Lymph nodes increase in volume, become juicy and reddened.

Part of an adult large cattle has a pronounced protective cellular reaction and, in the absence of predisposing factors, smallpox is transmitted to mild form. In this case, a small number of papules are formed in the cow. The epithelium of the papules is exposed to partial necrosis, hyperkeratosis, parakeratosis under the influence of the virus, and dries out, forming a crust. The papule decreases in volume, the scab disappears, the infiltrate resolves, and the structure of the affected skin is quickly restored.

Reducing the body’s natural resistance caused by metabolic disorders as a result of inadequate and unbalanced feeding and others harmful factors external environment reduce activity cellular elements, including cells immune defense, in connection with this, smallpox occurs in a more severe form. Smallpox is also difficult for calves to tolerate due to the fact that their immune defense organs have not yet reached functional and morphological maturity.

The smallpox process in cows can be complicated by secondary bacterial processes, which often cause the development of specific mastitis in cows with smallpox, and gastroenteritis and bronchopneumonia in calves.

Clinical signs. The course and severity of cowpox depends on the route of entry of the virus and the degree of its virulence, as well as the body’s resistance. The incubation period is 3-9 days. The disease begins with prodromal phenomena: some depression of the animal, lethargy, poor appetite, decreased milk yield, slight increase body temperature (by 0.5-1°) to 40-41°C. The disease occurs acutely, subacutely, and less often chronically. In bulls, a latent course of smallpox is usually noted. In cows, red spots called roseola appear on the somewhat swollen skin of the udder and nipples, and sometimes on the head, neck, back and thighs, and in bulls, red spots appear on the scrotum, which after 2-3 days turn into dense, elevated nodules-papules. After 1-2 days, vesicles are formed from them, which are bubbles filled with transparent lymph containing the virus. The latter suppurate, turning into round or oblong pustules with a reddish rim and a depression in the center. The number of pustules in a sick cow ranges from 2 to 20 or more. The shape of smallpox vesicles on the nipples is oval, on the udder it is round. The maximum development of the pustule occurs on the 10-12th day, then its contents dry out and a scab forms.

With the disease caused by the cowpox virus, we note deeper tissue necrosis than from the vaccinia virus, and the pockmarks look comparatively flatter. As a result of hemorrhage, the pockmarks become bluish-black in color. Nodules located close to one another merge, and cracks appear on their surface. Subcutaneous connective tissue under the pustules it is inflamed and hard to the touch. A sick cow becomes restless; because of the soreness of the udder, she does not allow the milkmaid to give milk, and stands with her pelvic limbs widely spaced. When walking, sick cows also move them to the sides. A sick cow develops specific smallpox mastitis, in which the udder becomes hard on palpation, milk formation and milk flow decreases or even stops. 10-12 days after the onset of the disease, brownish crusts form at the site of the pustules. Pockmarks appear gradually over several days and mature over 14-16 days or longer. In an uncomplicated course, the smallpox process ends after 20-28 days, and in case of complications, sick cows recover only after 1.5-2 months. In case of complications, calves develop bronchopneumonia and gastroenteritis.

Cowpox, caused by the vaccinia virus, is milder and shorter lasting. But it often affects all dairy cows in the herd. Pockmarks appear in places primary lesion and look more convex than with cowpox virus, since the pathological process covers relatively more superficial layers of the skin.

Pathological changes depending on the stage of the smallpox process, they can be observed in the form of papules, vesicles and pustules, covered with brown crusts, which are localized mainly on the udder and nipples, but often in the head, neck, side surfaces of the body, chest, thighs, etc., and sometimes nearby with them there may be boils, abscesses different sizes and phlegmon; epithelium of the mucous membrane that has been torn off in places, as well as erosions and ulcers with a diameter of up to 12-15 mm. Regional lymph nodes are slightly enlarged, their capsule is tense, and the vessels are full of blood.

In sick calves, we find nodules and ulcers with slightly raised edges in the mucous membrane of the mouth and pharynx. We note hemorrhages on the serous covers; there may be foci of hepatization and gangrenous areas in the lungs. The liver is clay-colored, the spleen is sometimes enlarged. The heart muscle is flabby. Regional lymph nodes to the sites of pockmark formation are enlarged, reddened, shiny, juicy when cut, the surrounding tissue is swollen.

Pathohistological changes. Typical changes in smallpox develop in the skin. At the roseola stage, we record hyperemia, moderate lymphoid-histocytic infiltration in the perivascular zones of the dermis, emigration of polymorphonuclear neutrophils, swelling of epithelial cells of the epidermis. In the papule, we detect swelling and proliferation of epithelial cells, as a result of which the epidermis is thickened, the number of rows of cells in it is increased, finger-like, tree-like and flat outgrowths appear, embedded in the dermis. In epidermocytes, cytoplasmic inclusions of bodies are Guarnierioval, round, crescent-shaped. When stained according to Romanovsky-Giemsa, as well as under electron microscope cowpox virions are detected in the cytoplasm of epithelial cells.

In the epidermis, individual epithelial cells and a group of cells are in a state of vacuolination. The latter are increased in volume, the cytoplasm is transparent, the nucleus is pyknotic and moved to the periphery. Vacuolination is replaced by reticulating degeneration. In such areas, the contours of the shell of epithelial cells are visible, the nucleus weakly perceives paints or is lysed.

Between epithelial cells many polymorphonuclear leukocytes, lymphocytes. In the dermis, the exudative reaction is expressed in the form of hyperemia, stasis, increased vascular permeability, release of blood plasma from the vessels, and emigration of leukocytes. The collagen fibers in the subepidermal zone are swollen, separated from each other, between them there is plasma fluid, neutrophilic leukocytes, and macrophages. Epithelial vaginas hair follicles thickened, many cells are in a state of vacuolar degeneration. The lumens of some follicles are expanded, in them different quantity purulent bodies. There are no hair shafts.

Diagnosis based on the analysis of epizootic, clinical, epidemiological data, pathological changes and results laboratory research(virological, histological and bioassays).

For virological research The contents of papules or developing vesicles are sent to the veterinary laboratory. The virus-containing material is cultivated in a CAO EC or cell culture; the isolated virus is identified. For viroscopy, a thin smear is prepared from the surface of the cut papule, dried in air and treated according to Morozov with silvering.

In cases where the symptoms of the disease in cows are not clearly expressed, a biological test is performed according to the Paul method on rabbits. To do this, after anesthesia with novocaine, small incisions are made on the cornea of the rabbit's eye and a suspension of the test material is applied. If it contained the vaccinia virus, then in the scarified areas of the cornea after 2-3 days characteristic spots and dots appear, surrounded by a halo, clearly visible with a magnifying glass.

At histological examination In the epithelium of the changed areas of the cornea, cytoplasmic inclusions are found in round, oval, crescent-shaped and wind-shaped shapes, the size of a cell nucleus or slightly smaller. The detection of elementary particles (virions) of the virus in smears and Guarnieri bodies confirms the diagnosis.

Differential diagnosis. When making a primary diagnosis of cowpox on a farm, it is necessary to distinguish smallpox from its epizootic course, the formation of aphthae on the mucous membrane of the tongue, gums, cheeks, the skin of the interhoof cleft, less often in the udder area (foot-and-mouth disease affects sheep, goats) and feed rashes.

Pseudopox (paravaccine) of cows proceeds more slowly and benignly. The nodules become covered with a brown crust and heal without scarring. Under an electron microscope, paravaccines have a cigar-oval shape and a peculiar helical structure.

Treatment. Sick animals are isolated and provided good feeding(if necessary, semi-liquid). Cows sick with smallpox must be milked daily, necessary cases resort to a milk catheter. Treatment is carried out with the help of antibiotics, weak antiseptic and ulcer cauterizing agents, softening skin pockmarks with fat, ointment, glycerin. The nasal cavity is washed and irrigated with a 2-3% solution of boric acid. Tincture of iodine, Boer fluid and 3% chloramine are used as cauterizing agents. To heal smallpox lesions on the udder, ointments are used: zinc, boron, vaseline.

Immunity and specific prevention.

After infection, cows retain tissue-humoral post-infectious immunity for life. For specific prevention, live vaccinia virus is used.

Prevention.

To prevent the occurrence of smallpox, the introduction (import) of cattle into the farm, as well as feed and equipment from farms with cows affected by smallpox, is not allowed. All animals arriving from safe farms are quarantined for a month and undergo clinical examination. Animal owners maintain livestock buildings, pastures, and watering areas in proper veterinary and sanitary condition. Farm workers immunized against smallpox are exempt from work related to animal care for a period of 2 weeks if normal course vaccination reaction and until complete recovery if complications occur. All cattle on the farm and populated areas The cowpox-threatened area is vaccinated with live vaccinia virus in accordance with the instructions for its use.

Control measures.

When a diagnosis of smallpox in cattle is established, the farm is declared unaffected by cattle smallpox by the Decree of the Regional Governor. Rospotrebnadzor is notified of the occurrence of smallpox.

In dysfunctional households, special general sanitary and restrictive measures are carried out aimed at eliminating the disease.

Animals sick with smallpox are isolated, treated, and people who are vaccinated and revaccinated against smallpox and who observe the rules of personal hygiene are assigned to care for them.

Every 5 days after each case of excretion of a sick animal, the premises are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected using: 4% hot solution of sodium hydroxide, 2% solution of formaldehyde, 20% solution of freshly slaked lime.

Slurry is disinfected with bleach, mixed in a ratio of 5:1. Manure is disinfected biothermally or burned.

After pasteurization, milk from sick and suspected infected cows is fed to young animals on the same farm. Dairy containers and milk tankers are disinfected with a 1% solution of chloramine or sodium hypochlorite.

Restrictions on cowpox from the farm are lifted 21 days after the sick animals have fully recovered and final disinfection has been carried out.

How cowpox manifests itself, what methods of treating it exist, and how to protect the herd - not knowing the answers to these questions can harm both livestock and people. If the disease is not recognized in time, the farm will have to be quarantined, as the virus spreads quickly. In the event of an epidemic in large farms, many animals cannot be saved because there simply is not enough staff. To prevent a tragedy, it is important to be vigilant and follow the rules to prevent the occurrence of viral infections.

Etiology of the virus

The scientific name of the virus that causes animal pox is Cow Orthopoxvirus. Its structure is very complex, and it contains components such as phosphorus, copper, sulfur, carbon, carbohydrates, lipids and other substances. It is localized in epithelial tissues and affects areas with particularly delicate skin.

Pockmarks occur on the lips, nose and mouth, but most often the disease affects the udder of cows. The smallpox virus can enter the body either from secretions from the nose or mouth of an infected individual or through contact with affected areas. The infection is dangerous for the entire livestock, and even for farm staff.

There are cases where the source of infection was smallpox vaccines administered to animals with weak immunity. Main danger The virus is that it integrates into the DNA of the animal and decomposes epithelial cells, penetrating further and deeper into the body of the infected person.

Virus survivability

Cowpox is one of the most persistent viruses. IN favorable conditions, it can remain outside the animal’s body for up to 1.5 years. Farms located in cold regions of the country, where air temperatures rarely rise above 4 degrees, are particularly at risk. But even in hot weather, the virus can live up to 4 months.

The higher the temperature, the faster the smallpox virus is destroyed. At a temperature of 55 degrees, it dies in 20 minutes. If the temperature reaches 60 degrees, the virus lives for only 10 minutes. At 70 degrees it will last about 5 minutes, and when boiling it will last only 2-3 minutes.

An effective way to combat smallpox is to irradiate the affected area with ultraviolet light. Just 4 hours are enough to completely destroy the virus. Ultrasound will cope with this task even faster. Also, to combat smallpox, disinfection with solutions of chloramine and carbolic acid is used.

Virus development

Once in the body of cows, the virus begins to multiply intensively. The first signs can be seen within a day. Redness forms on the affected areas. This is due to internal inflammation these places. The affected cells, accumulating in large numbers, begin to die.

Inside the body, the virus infects skin cells, lymph nodes and penetrates the animal’s blood. This period does not last long, as the body begins to produce antibodies. Because of this, the lymph nodes of cows become very swollen, as proliferation of immunocompetent cells occurs in them.

Most often, smallpox is easily cured and leaves no consequences in the cow’s body. Animals that have recovered from the disease remain immune to the virus for the rest of their lives. The disease is dangerous only for young calves and weak animals. If they become infected, death is extremely likely.

Manifestation on the skin

Typically, the incubation period for the smallpox virus lasts from 3 to 9 days. The first signs can be seen on the animal’s skin. In cows, rashes appear on the udder, less often in other areas. During the first 12 hours after infection, redness may be observed on the skin.

Within 2-3 days, the reddish spots turn into dense nodules or papules. After a few more days, the nodule fills with liquid - a vesicle is formed. By the 10-12th day of infection, pus begins to accumulate in the nodules. Recovery begins on the 14th day after the immune system recognizes the virus and begins to fight.

After the body begins to fight the infection, dark brown scabs appear in place of the red nodules round shape, less often - oblong. During the period of illness, the affected areas of the animal swell, and touching them causes pain in the animal. At this time, the cows move with difficulty and do not allow the milkmaids to approach them.

Symptoms of smallpox virus

Externally, the manifestation of smallpox may differ in different animals, since much depends on the strength of the immune system. But the virus can also be recognized by other signs observed in all infected people:

loss of appetite;
lethargy is observed in combination with anxiety, less often - aggression;
heat;
problems with lactation leading to decreased milk yield;
swelling of the skin;
inflammatory processes, expressed by redness;
difficulties in movement - cows walk with their legs spread wide apart.

In especially severe cases, the temperature may not subside for a long time. Tissue necrosis is observed in the affected areas, and the lymph nodes become swollen. With weak immunity, smallpox may be accompanied bacterial infection. In these cases, the prognosis for recovery may be disappointing.

Changes in the body leading to death

We have already talked about how the normal course of smallpox manifests itself. But, as mentioned earlier, cowpox can also occur in a serious form, leading to the death of the animal. In this case, in addition to nodules, purulent formations, ulcers and erosions appear on the skin.

In acute form, rashes appear on all mucous membranes: in the nose, mouth and even throat. Internal organs also suffer. The lungs are affected, the liver rots, and the spleen enlarges. The heart muscles become flabby. Most of all, during the autopsy of a cow that died of smallpox, the lesions are most noticeable in the lymph nodes.

The smallpox virus causes great harm epithelial tissues. Penetrating into cells, it disrupts their structure, changes and destroys their structure. If the body cannot cope with the infection and the animal dies, then cellular tissues a large number of putrefactive particles can be detected.

Diagnosis of the disease

The symptoms of smallpox are very typical, but it can also be confused with other diseases. So, similar symptoms have foot and mouth disease, pyoderma and pseudopox. The first thing you need to do to correct setting diagnosis, separate the virus from the cattle. Diagnosis of smallpox takes place in several stages:

the contents of the pustules are collected in an airtight container;
conduct research under a microscope, observing the shape and behavior of the virus;
in laboratory conditions, the virus is grown on chicken embryos or cultivated on plant cells;
conduct research with the participation of rabbits.

Such studies can only be carried out in specialized laboratories. But experienced specialist can identify smallpox by clinical signs. If the doctor's suspicions are confirmed, the infection control service must be notified.

Laboratory research

Cattlepox can be confused with other diseases that have similar symptoms. Farmers are especially often confused by false smallpox. It is practically no different from the real one, but occurs in a mild form, does not leave scars on the skin and does not lead to serious consequences.

When examining a false virus under a microscope, you can see elongated cells, while ordinary smallpox is circular in shape. Most the right way diagnosing a real virus - Paul's experiment on rabbits.

The experimental animal is given anesthesia and the cornea is cut, which is lubricated with a solution prepared using materials taken from an infected cow. If after a few days the rabbit shows characteristic signs, the diagnosis will be confirmed.

No self-medication

Only a veterinarian can treat cowpox. At the first signs, you should urgently call a specialist. Any attempts to cure smallpox on your own can only harm the animal. Worse yet, inaction can lead to an epidemic on the farm, and the disease can spread to the staff.

To prevent an epidemic on the farm, a sick cow must be isolated from the main herd. When maintaining it, it is important to comply with all sanitary and hygienic instructions of the doctor. Special attention Pay attention to the udder and milk expression.

A sick female should be milked every day. Due to pain, she may not allow the milkmaid to approach the udder. In this case, a catheter is placed to drain milk in order to prevent mastitis. Drinking such milk is prohibited. After milking, it is disinfected and disposed of as waste.

Treatment Basics

If you do not have the opportunity to call a veterinarian, then try to cope with the virus on your own. Isolate the sick animal and provide appropriate conditions for it. Treat skin rashes using solutions of iodine, borax or chloramine.

After the nodules disappear, use ointments to heal the wounds. Vaseline or ichthyol ointment. As soon as the wounds heal, begin treating the skin of the udder with softening ointments. Suitable creams based on glycerin and vegetable oils. You can use boric, propolis, zinc or salicylic ointments.

Pockmarks on the skin look ugly and scary, but they are much worse if they appear in the nose or oral cavity animal. In this case, it is necessary to wash the affected area with a 3% boric acid solution.

Remember that cowpox can be severe. In order for the animal to tolerate inflammation more easily and recover faster, it is necessary to organize appropriate conditions for it. The isolator is maintained at a comfortable temperature and good ventilation.

Cows feel most comfortable at a temperature of 20-25 degrees. Care for sick cows can only be carried out by personnel vaccinated against smallpox. If one of the farm employees has not been vaccinated, they are prohibited from being allowed near the animal.

Compliance with sanitary and hygienic standards requires treating the stall every 5 days, after opening the purulent growths. Manure from such a cow must also be treated so that the infection does not spread throughout the farm. The dishes from which the animal drinks or eats are also treated, as are containers for storing milk.

Preventative measures to prevent a smallpox epidemic on a farm

Preventative measures will help prevent smallpox from occurring on farms. Such regulations have comprehensive measures, they are aimed at caring for the well-being of the herd and reducing the risk of infectious diseases. To prevent smallpox from entering your household, you should:

buy animals only in places where there have been no outbreaks of the epidemic;
purchase household utensils only from reliable suppliers;
new livestock must undergo a thirty-day quarantine.
strictly comply with all sanitary standards;
use only tools treated with an antiseptic;
in the event of a smallpox outbreak in the area, all livestock are immediately vaccinated.

Of course it always remains Golden Rule: cows that are given quality food, receiving normal dose vitamins and consuming clean water, are less susceptible to viral diseases, as they have strong immunity.

Precautions concerning people

There is always a chance of contracting smallpox while working on a farm. Therefore, all farm workers must be vaccinated. After a person has been given the vaccine, he is released from work for 2 weeks, sometimes longer.

Often, cowpox affects small farms where sanitary hygiene is poorly maintained. Many people forget that staff must approach animals in clean protective clothing, which is prohibited from being taken home. Before milking begins, the cow's hands and udders are washed. warm water and treated with a disinfectant composition.

If, after contact with an animal, a milkmaid develops a rash, she is immediately sent to a doctor, and the cow is isolated until the veterinarian arrives. If the diagnosis is confirmed, both animals and farm staff are examined.

We hope that in this article we were able to answer all your questions related to cowpox. Please like if this is the case and you liked the article.

If you know something useful on this topic, then write comments and share your experience with readers.

Cowpox is a persistent viral disease that occurs in both adults and calves. At favorable course it is not dangerous for livestock and is easily tolerated by them. With absence timely diagnosis and taking action, the disease strikes vitally important organs cows and is fatal.

The virus has a complex structure and contains many chemical elements. It is persistent, which makes it contagious to others. It settles on the integumentary tissue and enters the body through the skin. Susceptible to the disease cattle, horses, rabbits, guinea pigs. Humans are also not resistant to infection.

The symptoms of cowpox depend on the age of the animal, its condition and the method of transmission of the disease.

Possible transfer methods:

By airborne droplets or through interaction with a sick animal.
Through insects. They retain the virus within themselves for 100 days and act as carriers.
Through penetration into food and water. Rodents are carriers of smallpox.
Infected inventory or veterinary equipment. Lack of sanitary treatment leads to the transfer of disease.

In the body of young animals, smallpox settles on the mucous membranes of the mouth and nose, and its manifestations are localized on their surface.

In adults, the disease occurs in the udder, where it penetrates through the damaged cover.

Important! In cows lacking vitamin A, smallpox can enter the body through the whole skin covering.

The course of the disease is usually acute. Hidden form with erased symptoms found only in bulls. The incubation period is 3-9 days, after which the entire symptom complex appears.

Symptoms of cowpox:

Slight increase in body temperature (up to 40 degrees).
Redness and swelling of the udder, which significantly complicates lactation.
Irritation on the mucous membranes, manifested as redness.
Enlargement and inflammation of the lymph nodes.
Trembling.
Decrease or complete absence appetite, decreased interest in food.
Lethargy or excessive excitability, manifested by aggression.
Difficulty walking (back legs spread apart). The symptom is associated with painful sensations from touching the udder while walking.

Skin cycle:

Within 24 hours after incubation period the mucous membranes and udder become covered with reddish spots.
After 2 days they turn into papules that rise above the skin.
After 24 hours, liquid forms inside, which turns them into vesicles. Then they open and the pus comes out.
Pustules form (in their middle there is a hole resembling a volcanic crater).
On the 12th day, the sores become crusty.
After 20-30 days the cow is cured.

Important! In an individual with a weakened immune system, the disease can be severe and last up to 2 months. In this case, the rashes will be profuse and the hyperthermia will be prolonged. Smallpox affects not only the mucous membranes, but also the internal organs, which sometimes leads to death. It is necessary to contact a veterinarian at the first manifestation of symptoms. Complications in calves include gastroenteritis and pneumonia.

Diagnostics

Diagnostic measures are performed by a veterinarian. These include:

Examination of the animal, study of symptoms.
Blood test to detect antibodies.
Scraping of the purulent contents of the vesicle.
Chick embryo test method. In laboratory conditions, pus is placed into an egg, the behavior of the virus is observed, and its strain is identified.

The diagnosis is considered confirmed after receiving the test results.

Treatment

Before treatment begins, the cow must create comfortable conditions in a clean room (sick animals should be separated from healthy ones). The room should be ventilated regularly.

A sick cow needs to be milked regularly, even though this causes her a lot of pain. discomfort. Milk should not stagnate. Otherwise, her condition may worsen.

Drug treatment:

Antibacterial therapy does not affect viruses. It is used to prevent bacterial complications.
Treatment of stains antiseptic solutions(chloramine, borax). These remedies cauterize purulent sores.
Ointments with a healing effect (ichthyol, zinc).
Emollients (vaseline, glycerin ointment).

In addition to the above remedies, calves are prescribed nasal rinsing with boric acid (3%).

Folk remedies:

Addition of elderberry and blackberry leaves to food.
Introduction to the diet of garlic, which acts as a natural immunomodulator.
A decoction of elderberry and sorrel leaves: the herb in equal proportions is crumbled into small pieces, placed in a saucepan and boiled for 30 minutes. The broth is cooled, filtered and treated with it on the affected skin of the cow once a day (until relief occurs).

Folk remedies have only an auxiliary effect to the main therapy.

Preventive measures

To prevent infection, the following measures must be taken:

You should not purchase an animal in an area where there have been outbreaks of cowpox.
Do not neglect sanitary and hygienic standards. Keep the barn clean and exercise on proven pastures.
Ensure the sterility of veterinary instruments and equipment for caring for the cow.
Get vaccinated against smallpox with a live virus vaccine on time.
If one animal becomes ill, immediately limit its contact with healthy ones.
After a case of illness, it is necessary to disinfect the barn with special solutions. Ultraviolet irradiation can also cope with this function.
Manure from sick individuals should be burned. Milk - disinfected and discarded.

Cowpox virus can live on surfaces for a long time. If all rules for keeping animals and timely vaccination are observed, the possibility of disease is minimized.

Puncture spinal cord. Such a terrible phrase can often be heard at a doctor’s appointment, and it becomes even scarier when this procedure concerns you specifically. Why do doctors puncture the spinal cord? Is such manipulation dangerous? What information can be obtained from this study?

The first thing you need to understand is when we're talking about about spinal cord puncture (which is what patients most often call this procedure), it does not mean a puncture of the tissue of the central organ itself nervous system, but only the fence is not large quantities cerebrospinal fluid, which washes the spinal cord and brain. Such manipulation in medicine is called a spinal, or lumbar, puncture.

Why is a spinal cord puncture performed? There can be three purposes for such manipulation: diagnostic, analgesic and therapeutic. In most cases, a lumbar puncture of the spine is done to determine the composition of the cerebrospinal fluid and the pressure inside spinal canal, which indirectly reflects pathological processes occurring in the brain and spinal cord. But specialists can perform a spinal cord puncture with therapeutic purpose, for example, for the introduction of drugs into the subarachnoid space, for rapid decline spinal pressure. Also, one should not forget about this method of pain relief, such as when anesthetics are injected into the spinal canal. This makes it possible to perform a large number of surgical interventions without the use of general anesthesia.

Considering that in most cases spinal cord puncture is prescribed precisely with diagnostic purpose, it is this type of research that will be discussed in this article.

Why is a puncture taken?

A lumbar puncture is taken to examine the cerebrospinal fluid, which can help diagnose some diseases of the brain and spinal cord. Most often, such manipulation is prescribed for suspected:

infections of the central nervous system (meningitis, encephalitis, myelitis, arachnoiditis) of a viral, bacterial or fungal nature;
syphilitic, tuberculous lesions of the brain and spinal cord;
subarachnoid bleeding;
abscess of the central nervous system;
ischemic, hemorrhagic stroke;
traumatic brain injury;
demyelinating lesions of the nervous system, such as multiple sclerosis;
benign and malignant tumors brain and spinal cord, their membranes;
other neurological diseases.

Cerebrospinal fluid examination makes it possible to quickly diagnose serious illnesses brain and spinal cord

Contraindications

It is prohibited to take a lumbar puncture for space-occupying formations of the posterior cranial fossa or temporal lobe brain. In such situations, taking even a small amount of cerebrospinal fluid can cause dislocation of brain structures and cause strangulation of the brain stem in the foramen magnum, which entails immediate death.

It is also prohibited to perform a lumbar puncture if the patient has purulent-inflammatory lesions of the skin, soft tissues, or spine at the puncture site.

Relative contraindications are severe spinal deformities (scoliosis, kyphoscoliosis, etc.), since this increases the risk of complications.

With caution, puncture is prescribed to patients with bleeding disorders, those who take drugs that affect blood rheology (anticoagulants, antiplatelet agents, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs).

In case of brain tumors, lumbar puncture can be performed only for health reasons, since there is a high risk of developing dislocation of brain structures

Preparation stage

The lumbar puncture procedure requires preliminary preparation. First of all, the patient is prescribed general clinical and biochemical tests blood and urine, the state of the blood coagulation system is necessarily determined. Carry out inspection and palpation lumbar region spine. To reveal possible deformations, which may interfere with the puncture.

You need to tell your doctor about all the medications you are currently taking or have recently taken. Particular attention should be paid to drugs that affect blood clotting (aspirin, warfarin, clopidogrel, heparin and other antiplatelet agents and anticoagulants, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs).

You should also tell your doctor about possible allergies for medications, including anesthetics and contrast agents, about recently transferred acute diseases, about the presence of chronic ailments, since some of them may be a contraindication to the study. All women childbearing age should tell your doctor about your possible pregnancy.

Before performing a spinal cord puncture, the patient must consult a doctor.

It is forbidden to eat for 12 hours before the procedure and drink for 4 hours before the puncture.

Puncture technique

The procedure is performed with the patient lying on his side. In this case, you need to bend your legs as much as possible at the knee and hip joints, bringing them to the stomach. The head should be bent forward as much as possible and close to chest. It is in this position that the intervertebral spaces widen well and it will be easier for the specialist to get the needle into the right place. In some cases, the puncture is performed with the patient sitting with the back as rounded as possible.

The specialist selects the puncture site by palpating the spine so as not to damage the nerve tissue. ends at the level of the 2nd lumbar vertebra, but in short people, as well as in children (including newborns), it is slightly longer. Therefore, the needle is inserted into the intervertebral space between 3 and 4 lumbar vertebrae or between 4 and 5. This reduces the risk of complications after puncture.

After treating the skin with antiseptic solutions, local infiltration anesthesia of soft tissues is carried out with a solution of novocaine or lidocaine using a regular syringe with a needle. After this, a lumbar puncture is performed directly with a special large needle with a mandrel.

This is what a spinal puncture needle looks like

The puncture is made at the selected point, the doctor directs the needle sagittally and slightly upward. At approximately a depth of 5 cm, resistance is felt, after which a peculiar dip of the needle follows. This means that the end of the needle has entered the subarachnoid space and you can begin collecting cerebrospinal fluid. To do this, the doctor removes the mandrin from the needle ( inner part, which makes the instrument airtight) and liquor begins to drip from it. If this does not happen, you need to make sure that the puncture is performed correctly and that the needle enters the subarachnoid space.

After collecting the cerebrospinal fluid into a sterile test tube, the needle is carefully removed and the puncture site is sealed. sterile bandage. For 3-4 hours after the puncture, the patient should lie on his back or side.

The puncture is performed between the 3rd and 4th or 4th and 5th lumbar vertebrae

The first step in cerebrospinal fluid analysis is to assess its pressure. Normal indicators in a sitting position – 300 mm. water Art., in a lying position – 100-200 mm. water Art. As a rule, pressure is assessed indirectly - by the number of drops per minute. 60 drops per minute corresponds to the normal value of cerebrospinal fluid pressure in the spinal canal. Pressure increases when inflammatory processes CNS, with tumor formations, with venous stagnation, hydrocephalus and other diseases.

Next, the cerebrospinal fluid is collected into two 5 ml tubes. They are then used to carry out necessary list research – physicochemical, bacterioscopic, bacteriological, immunological, PCR diagnostics, etc.

Depending on the results of the cerebrospinal fluid study, the doctor can recognize the disease and prescribe appropriate treatment

Consequences and possible complications

In the vast majority of cases, the procedure takes place without any consequences. Naturally, the puncture itself is painful, but pain is present only at the stage of inserting the needle.

Some patients may develop the following complications.

Post-puncture headache

It is generally accepted that after a puncture a certain amount of cerebrospinal fluid flows out of the hole, as a result of which intracranial pressure decreases and a headache occurs. This kind of pain reminds headache tension, has a constant aching or squeezing nature, decreases after rest and sleep. It can be observed for 1 week after the puncture; if cephalgia persists after 7 days, this is a reason to consult a doctor.

Traumatic complications

Sometimes traumatic complications of puncture may occur, when the needle can damage the spinal cord. nerve roots, intervertebral discs. This is manifested by back pain, which does not occur after a correctly performed puncture.

Hemorrhagic complications

If large blood vessels are damaged during the puncture, bleeding and hematoma formation may occur. This is a dangerous complication that requires active medical intervention.

Dislocation complications

Occurs when there is a sharp drop in cerebrospinal fluid pressure. This is possible if there is volumetric formations posterior cranial fossa. To avoid such a risk, before taking a puncture, it is necessary to perform a study for signs of dislocation of the midline structures of the brain (EEG, REG).

Infectious complications

They may occur due to violation of the rules of asepsis and antisepsis during puncture. The patient may develop inflammation meninges and even abscesses form. Such consequences of puncture are life-threatening and require the prescription of powerful antibacterial therapy.

Thus, spinal cord puncture is a very informative technique for diagnosing a large number of diseases of the brain and spinal cord. Naturally, complications during and after the manipulation are possible, but they are very rare, and the benefits of the puncture far outweigh the risk of developing negative consequences.