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Viral diseases without timely treatment bring significant losses to livestock production. Smallpox in a cow reduces the number of milk yields and degrades 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 smallpox virus in cows lives outside the body of the host 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 infects cows regardless of age and breed. Cowpox is common disease and is transmitted to horses, goats and pigs.

A sick animal is not dangerous for a vaccinated person. However, places infected with smallpox are forbidden to visit pregnant women and children.

Ways of disease transmission

Infection with smallpox in cows and bulls occurs gradually. The disease affects individuals who have not been vaccinated. by the most common causes disease occurrence are:

feed, pasture 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 an artiodactyl through open wounds, respiratory tract or gastrointestinal tract. Cows with a lack of vitamin A can become infected from sick individuals through tactile contact.

More often artiodactyls are infected by people. A milkmaid who has not survived quarantine after vaccination can introduce the virus during milking.

smallpox symptoms

At the first stage, cowpox affects the mucous membranes and skin. The incubation period lasts from 3 to 9 days. The symptoms of smallpox in dairy cows and bulls are 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, proceeds without noticeable lesions on the epidermis.
Chronic - a rare form, characterized by the periodic appearance of ulcers on the mucous membranes.

Signs chickenpox in cows are lethargy, apathy, poor appetite. At acute form the disease develops as follows:

During the first 3 days, hard papules form at the sites of the lesion, which eventually turn into pustules.
From the mucosa within 2 days, the virus enters the lymph nodes and spreads throughout the body. This period is accompanied by fever and temperature up to 41°C. The blood composition is subject to change.
The next symptom is swollen lymph nodes. There is a partial necrosis of soft tissues, the formation of scabs.

Round pustules cover the udder of a cow, oval - nipples. Also pockmarks are formed on the scrotum of bulls. Sometimes lesions occur on the neck and back of animals.

Ulcers begin to fester over time, causing pain to the animal. A sick cow often does not let a milkmaid near her. Due to inflammation of the udder in smallpox, the artiodactyl walks with its hind legs wide apart.

Consequences of the disease

Smallpox in cows on the udder leads to smallpox mastitis. The udder, when pressed, becomes hard, inflamed. The nipples are covered with scabs and scabs. Milk yields are reduced or completely stopped.

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

Pathological anatomical autopsy allows you to see ulcers on the epithelium of the mucous membranes of the stomach. Often seen 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 becomes the cause of thorns and blindness in calves. You can drink milk and eat the meat of an infected animal only after full recovery artiodactyl. Individuals that have had the disease acquire immunity to it.

Treatment of smallpox in cows

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.

Medical methods of struggle

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, use such medicines:

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

Treatment of a cow 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 damage does not allow doing it manually, a milk catheter is used.

With smallpox in domestic cows on the udder, it is impossible to treat inflammation 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 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 smeared with zinc ointment.

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

Folk ways of fighting

It is impossible to 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 to speed up the recovery of the individual and reduce pain.

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

elderberry;
linden;
garlic.

Against smallpox on the udder in cattle, solutions from elderberry and sorrel are used. With such decoctions, the affected areas are washed in the morning and evening.

epidemic prevention

When signs of smallpox are detected in cows and other domestic animals, the farm is transferred to quarantine. It is forbidden to sell dairy and meat products, artiodactyls and equipment are transported outside the farm.

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

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

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

The restriction on production is removed 3 weeks after the recovery of the last diseased individual and the complete disinfection of the premises.

General smallpox prevention

Chickenpox in cows and other artiodactyls can be triggered by disorders sanitary norms content and lack drug prevention. Disease prevention includes a set of measures.

Medical prevention

The most weakened immunity in artiodactyls during the transition from grazing to wintering. To exclude infection with the disease, the udder of animals has been daily lubricated with such antiseptics since August:

"Burenka";
"Dawn";
"Love".

These ointments prevent infection. For all livestock, mandatory vaccination is carried out. Acquired individuals are kept in quarantine for up to two weeks. In the absence of vaccinations, contact the veterinarian.

IN without fail check the vaccinations of all employees of the farm.

Folk prevention of smallpox

Once a month, artiodactyls are watered with 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 equip the place of rest and grazing.

barn

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 subdued.

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

Feeders and drinkers are washed with water every week. Once a year, disinfection of harmful insects and rodents is carried out.

diet

Proper nutrition is key good immunity. Individuals that suffer from beriberi are the first to be infected with the disease. On a day, an adult animal should receive the following products:

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

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

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

Diseases of cows. Diseases of the cows. Intertrigo udder.

Conclusion

Cowpox is a disease that quickly infects the entire livestock. The consequences of the disease are a decrease in milk yield, complications in artiodactyls and a restriction on the sale of products. Signs of the disease are the appearance of pockmarks on the skin of artiodactyls and anxiety of animals. Treatment of smallpox in domestic cows includes a set of procedures. As a prophylaxis, a vaccine is used to form immunity in artiodactyls.

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

Etiology. causative agents 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 composition of the virion includes carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, copper, sulfur, carbohydrates, lipids, and other substances. The cowpox and vaccinia viruses are found in epithelial cells and scabs of affected areas of sick animals. They are very similar in antigenic and immunogenic properties. They can be identified by the complex antigen located in their outer shell. They are relatively stable in the environment, especially if they are 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 for up to 2 months. Boiling the virus-containing material for 2-3 minutes inactivates the virus. At 70°C, it dies in 5 minutes, at 60°C in 10, 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. Within an hour, the virus in the crusts is inactivated with a 3% solution of chloramine and for 2 hours, a 5% solution of carbolic acid.

epidemiological data. Cattle of all ages, horses, pigs, camels, donkeys, monkeys, rabbits, are susceptible to viruses. Guinea pigs and man. The source of viruses are sick and virus-carrying animals and humans, which in environment secrete a virus with expiration from the nose and mouth, as well as with falling crusts from the affected areas of the skin. Smallpox in cows usually proceeds as an enzootic. Virus transmission possible blood-sucking insects, in the body of which it can be stored for more than 100 days. Mice and rats can be carriers of the virus.

The main routes of penetration of the virus into the body of a cow are through the 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 body of a cow through intact skin.

Pathogenesis. The smallpox virus enters the body of a cow by aerogenic and alimentary routes, through contact of sick animals with healthy ones, and also through infected objects. Viruses are inactive outside the cell. Viruses that have penetrated epithelial cells undergo deproteinization by cellular enzymes. The nucleoproteins and nucleic acids released at the same time 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 the areas where viruses are located, it develops focal inflammation. Changes characteristic of smallpox occur in the skin and mucous membranes: first, focal reddenings appear - roseola. Of which, after 1-3 days, dense raised nodules-papules are formed. In the future, papules turn into vesicles and pustules. From the skin and mucous membrane of the organ, viruses penetrate into the regional The lymph nodes, into 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. Smallpox antibodies are produced in the spleen and lymph nodes. At the same time, in the lymph nodes regional to the sites of pock formation, the proliferation of lymphoblasts with 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, reddened.

Part of an adult large cattle has a pronounced protective cellular reaction and, in the absence of predisposing factors, smallpox is transferred to mild form. In this case, a small number of papules form in the cow. The epithelium of papules undergoes partial necrosis, hyperkeratosis, parakeratosis under the action of the virus, dries up, forming a crust. The papule decreases in volume, the scab disappears, the infiltrate resolves, 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 protection, in this regard, smallpox occurs in a more severe form. Smallpox is also hard on calves 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 smallpox in cows depends on the routes of entry of the virus and the degree of its virulence, as well as the resistance of the organism. The incubation period is 3-9 days. The disease begins with prodromal phenomena: some oppression of the animal, lethargy, poor appetite, reduced milk yield, slight increase body temperature (by 0.5-1°) up to 40-41°C. The disease proceeds acutely, subacutely, less often chronically. In bulls, usually a latent course of smallpox is noted. In cows, on slightly swollen skin of the udder and nipples, and sometimes on the head, neck, back and hips, and in bulls, red spots appear on the scrotum - roseola, which after 2-3 days turn into dense raised nodules-papules. After 1-2 days, vesicles are formed from them, which are vesicles 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 - round. The maximum development of the pustule occurs on the 10-12th day, then its contents dry up and a scab forms.

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

Smallpox in cows caused by the vaccinia virus is milder and shorter in duration. But it often affects all dairy cows in the herd. Pimples 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, it 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, lateral surfaces of the trunk, chest, thighs, etc., and sometimes nearby with them there may be boils, abscesses different sizes and phlegmon; epithelium of the mucous membrane torn away in places, as well as erosion and sores with a diameter of up to 12-15 mm. Regional lymph nodes are slightly enlarged, their capsule is tense, the vessels are plethoric.

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

pathological changes. Typical changes in smallpox develop in the skin. At the stage of roseola, we register hyperemia, moderate lymphoid-histocytic infiltration in the perivascular zones of the dermis, emigration of polymorphonuclear neutrophils, and swelling of the 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 that have penetrated into the dermis. In epidermocytes, there are cytoplasmic inclusions of the Gvarnieri oval, rounded, crescent-shaped bodies. 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 vacuolinization. The latter are enlarged in volume, the cytoplasm is transparent, the nucleus is pycnotic and pushed to the periphery. Vacuolinization is replaced by reticulating degeneration. In such areas, the contours of the shell of epithelial cells are visible, the nucleus poorly perceives dyes 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, the release of blood plasma from the vessels, and the emigration of leukocytes. Collagen fibers in the subepidermal zone are swollen, disconnected from each other, between them is plasma fluid, neutrophilic leukocytes, macrophages. Epithelial sheaths hair follicles thickened, many cells in a state of vacuolar dystrophy. The lumens of some follicles are enlarged, in them different quantity purulent bodies. Hair shafts are absent.

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

For virological research the contents of papules or emerging vesicles are sent to the veterinary laboratory. Virus-containing material is cultivated on CAO EC or cell culture; 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 silver plating.

In cases where the symptoms of the disease in cows are unclear, they put a bioassay 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 surrounded by a halo, clearly visible with a magnifying glass, appear.

At histological examination in the epithelium of the altered areas of the cornea, cytoplasmic inclusions of round, oval, crescent-shaped and vein-shaped forms, the size of the cell nucleus or slightly less, are found. Detection of elementary particles (virions) of the virus in smears and Guarnieri bodies confirms the diagnosis.

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

Pseudopox (paravaccine) of cows proceeds more slowly and benignly. The nodules are 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, provided good feeding(if necessary, semi-liquid). In cows with smallpox, milk should be milked daily, in necessary cases resort to a milk catheter. Treatment is carried out with the help of antibiotics, weak antiseptic and cauterizing ulcers, softening skin pockmarks with fat, ointment, glycerin. The nasal cavity is washed and irrigated with a 2-3% solution of boric acid. As cauterizing agents, tincture of iodine, drilling liquid and 3% chloramine are used. For the healing of smallpox lesions on the udder, ointments are used: zinc, boric, vaseline.

Immunity and specific prophylaxis.

After an illness, cows retain their tissue-humoral post-infection immunity for life. For specific prophylaxis, live vaccinia virus is used.

Prevention.

To prevent the occurrence of smallpox, it is not allowed to introduce (import) cattle into the farm, as well as feed and equipment from farms that are unfavorable for smallpox cows. All animals arriving from prosperous farms are quarantined and carried out for a month. clinical examination. Animal owners maintain livestock premises, pastures, watering places in the proper veterinary and sanitary condition. Farm workers immunized against smallpox are exempted from work related to caring for animals for a period of 2 weeks at normal course vaccination reaction and until complete recovery in the event of complications. All cattle on the farm and settlements the area threatened by cowpox 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 unfavorable for smallpox in cattle by the Decree of the Governor of the region. Rospotrebnadzor is notified about the occurrence of smallpox.

In a dysfunctional economy, special general sanitary and restrictive measures are taken to eliminate the disease.

Smallpox animals are isolated, treated, people vaccinated and revaccinated against smallpox and observing the rules of personal hygiene are assigned to care for them.

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

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

Milk from sick and suspicious cows after pasteurization is fed to young animals on the same farm. Dairy utensils, milk trucks are disinfected with a 1% solution of chloramine or sodium hypochlorite.

Restrictions on smallpox of cows are removed from the farm 21 days after the complete recovery of sick animals and the final disinfection.

How smallpox manifests itself in cows, what are the ways to treat it, and how to protect the herd - ignorance of 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 rapidly. In the event of an epidemic in large farms, many animals cannot be saved, as there are simply not enough staff. In order to prevent a tragedy, it is important to be vigilant and follow the rules that prevent the occurrence of viral infections.

Etiology of the virus

The scientific name for the virus that causes smallpox in animals is Cow Orthopoxvirus. Its structure is very complex, and the composition includes components such as phosphorus, copper, sulfur, carbon, carbohydrates, lipids and other substances. It is localized in epithelial tissues and affects places with particularly delicate skin.

Pocks occur on the lips, nose and mouth, but most often the disease affects the udder of cows. The smallpox virus can enter the body both from secretions from the nose or mouth of an infected individual, and due to contact with the affected areas. The infection is dangerous for all livestock, and even for farm personnel.

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

Virus survival

Cowpox is one of the most persistent viruses. IN favorable conditions, it can be outside the body of the animal up to 1.5 years. Farms located in cold regions of the country, where the air temperature rarely rises above 4 degrees, are at particular 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 55 degrees, he dies in 20 minutes. If the temperature reaches 60 degrees, then the virus lives only 10 minutes. At 70 degrees, it will last about 5 minutes, and when boiled, it will last only 2-3 minutes.

An effective way to combat smallpox is to irradiate the affected area with ultraviolet light. Only 4 hours is 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 rapidly. The first signs can be seen within a day. Redness forms on the affected areas. This is due to internal inflammation these places. Affected cells, accumulating in large numbers, begin to die.

Inside the body, the virus infects skin cells, lymph nodes and penetrates into the blood of the animal. 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 immunocompetent cells proliferate in them.

Most often, smallpox is easily cured and does not leave consequences in the cow's body. Animals that have been ill remain immune to the virus for life. The disease is dangerous only for young calves and weak animals. If they become infected, a fatal outcome is extremely likely.

Manifestation on the skin

As a rule, the incubation period of the smallpox virus lasts from 3 to 9 days. The first signs can be seen on the skin of the animal. In cows, rashes appear on the udder, less often in other areas. For the first 12 hours after infection, redness can be observed on the skin.

Within 2-3 days, the reddish spots turn into firm nodules or papules. After a few more days, the nodule is filled with fluid - 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 starts the fight.

After the body joins in the fight against 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 animals.. At this time, cows move with difficulty and do not allow milkmaids to approach them.

Smallpox virus symptoms

Outwardly, 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;
there is lethargy combined with anxiety, less often - aggression;
heat;
problems with lactation, leading to a decrease in milk yield;
swelling of the skin;
inflammatory processes, expressed by redness;
difficulties in movement - cows walk with their legs wide apart.

In severe cases, the temperature may not subside for a long time. In the affected areas, tissue necrosis is observed, the lymph nodes swell. With a weak immune system, smallpox can be accompanied bacterial infection. In these cases, the prognosis for recovery can be poor.

Changes in the body leading to death

We have already told about how the usual course of smallpox manifests itself. But, as mentioned earlier, smallpox in cows 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 erosion appear on the skin.

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

The smallpox virus does a lot of damage epithelial tissues. Penetrating into the cells, it breaks their structure, changes and destroys the structure. If the body cannot cope with the infection and the animal dies, then in cell tissues you can find a large number of putrefactive particles.

Diagnosis of the disease

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

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

Such studies can only be carried out in specialized laboratories. But experienced specialist can identify smallpox and clinical signs. If the doctor's guess is correct, the infection control service should be notified.

Laboratory research

Smallpox in cattle can be confused with other diseases that have similar symptoms. Especially often farmers are confused by false smallpox. It practically does not differ from the real one, but it proceeds 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 the cells of an elongated shape, while ordinary smallpox has the shape of a circle. Most the right way diagnosing a real virus - Paul's experiment, carried out on rabbits.

The experimental animal is anesthetized 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, then the diagnosis will be confirmed.

No self-treatment

Only a veterinarian can treat smallpox in cows. At the first sign, you should immediately call a specialist. Any attempt to cure smallpox on your own can only harm the animal. Worse than that, 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 it is maintained, it is important to comply with all the sanitary and hygienic instructions of the doctor. Special attention give the udder and milk expression.

A sick female should be milked every day. Due to pain, she may not allow the milkmaid to the udder. In this case, a catheter is placed to remove milk in order to prevent mastitis. It is forbidden to drink such milk. After milking, it is disinfected and poured out as waste.

Fundamentals of treatment

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

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

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

Be aware 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 insulator maintains a comfortable temperature and good ventilation.

Cows feel most comfortable at a temperature of 20-25 degrees. Sick cows can only be cared for by personnel vaccinated against smallpox. If one of the farm employees has not been vaccinated, it is forbidden to let him near the animal.

Compliance with sanitary and hygienic standards requires the treatment of the stall every 5 days, after the opening of purulent growths. Manure from such a cow is also subject to treatment so that the infection does not spread throughout the farm. They also process the dishes from which the animal drinks or eats, as well as containers for storing milk.

Preventive measures to prevent smallpox epidemic on the farm

Preventive measures will help keep smallpox from spreading on farms. Such prescriptions 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 no outbreaks of the epidemic have been recorded;
purchase household utensils only from reliable suppliers;
new cattle must undergo a thirty-day quarantine.
strictly observe all sanitary standards;
use only a tool treated with an antiseptic;
in case of fixation in the area of outbreaks of smallpox, the entire livestock is immediately vaccinated.

Of course, 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.

Human Precautions

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 vaccinated, he is released from work for 2 weeks, sometimes longer.

Often, cowpox affects small farms where sanitary hygiene is poorly observed. Many people forget that the staff must approach the animals in clean overalls, which are not allowed to be taken home. Before milking, the hands and udder of the cow are washed. warm water and treated with a disinfectant.

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

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

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

Symptoms of smallpox in cows depend on the age of the animal, its condition and the mode of transmission of the disease.

Possible transmission methods:

By airborne droplets or when interacting with a sick animal.
Through insects. They retain the virus in themselves for 100 days, act as carriers.
Through contact with food and water. Rodents are carriers of smallpox.
Infected inventory or veterinary equipment. Lack of sanitation leads to the transfer of the 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 with damage to the udder, where it penetrates through the damaged cover.

Important! In cows with a lack of vitamin A, smallpox can enter the body through the holistic skin covering.

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

Symptoms of cowpox:

Slight increase in body temperature (up to 40 degrees).
Redness and swelling of the udder, which greatly complicates lactation.
Irritation of the mucous membranes, manifested in the form of 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 (hind legs apart). The symptom is associated with painful sensations from touching the udder while walking.

The cycle of skin manifestations:

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

Important! In an immunocompromised individual, the disease can be severe and last up to 2 months. Rashes in this case will be plentiful, hyperthermia is prolonged. Smallpox affects not only the mucous membranes, but also the internal organs, which sometimes leads to death. You should contact your veterinarian at the first sign of symptoms. Complications of calves are gastroenteritis and pneumonia.

Diagnostics

Diagnostic measures are performed by a veterinarian. These include:

Inspection of the animal, the study of symptoms.
Blood test to detect antibodies.
Scraping of the purulent contents of the vesicle.
Chick embryo test method. In the laboratory, pus is placed in the egg, the behavior of the virus is looked at and its strain is identified.

The diagnosis is considered confirmed after receiving the results of the study.

Treatment

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

A sick cow needs to be milked regularly, although this gives her a lot discomfort. Milk should not stagnate. Otherwise, her condition may worsen.

Medical treatment:

Antibacterial therapy does not affect viruses. It is used to prevent bacterial complications.
stain treatment antiseptic solutions(chloramine, borax). These funds cauterize purulent sores.
Ointments with a healing effect (ichthyol, zinc).
Emollients (Vaseline, glycerin ointment).

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

Folk remedies:

Additive to the feed of elderberry, blackberry leaves.
Introduction to the diet of garlic, which acts as a natural immunomodulator.
A decoction of elderberry and sorrel leaves: the grass in equal proportions crumbles into small pieces, placed in a saucepan and boiled for 30 minutes. The broth is cooled, filtered and the affected skin of the cow is treated with it 1 time per 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 outbreaks of cowpox have been recorded.
Do not neglect sanitary and hygienic standards. Keep the barn clean and walk on proven pastures.
Monitor the sterility of veterinary instruments and equipment for caring for cows.
Vaccinate against smallpox with a live virus vaccine.
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 handle this function.
Manure of diseased individuals should be burned. Milk - disinfect and waste.

The vaccinia virus can live on surfaces for a long time. Subject to all rules for keeping animals and timely vaccination, 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 more terrible when this procedure concerns you. Why do doctors puncture the spinal cord? Is such manipulation dangerous? What information can be obtained from this study?

The first thing to be aware of when we are talking about puncture of the spinal cord (namely, this is how this procedure is most often called by patients), then it does not mean a puncture of the tissue of the organ of the central nervous system but only the fence is not a large number cerebrospinal fluid, which washes the spinal cord and brain. Such a manipulation in medicine is called spinal, or lumbar, puncture.

Why is a spinal cord puncture done? There can be three purposes of 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 puncture of the spinal cord with therapeutic goal, for example, for the introduction of drugs into the subarachnoid space, for rapid decline spinal pressure. Also, one should not forget about such a method of anesthesia as when anesthetics are injected into the spinal canal. This makes it possible to carry out a large number of surgical interventions without the use of general anesthesia.

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

Why take a puncture

A lumbar puncture is taken to examine the cerebrospinal fluid, which makes it possible to diagnose certain 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.

The study of cerebrospinal fluid makes it possible to quickly diagnose serious illnesses brain and spinal cord

Contraindications

It is forbidden to take a lumbar puncture with volumetric formations of the posterior cranial fossa or temporal lobe brain. In such situations, taking even a small amount of CSF can cause dislocation of brain structures and cause infringement of the brain stem in the foramen magnum, which leads to immediate death.

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

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

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

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

Preparation stage

The lumbar puncture procedure requires pre-training. First of all, the patient is assigned general clinical and biochemical analyzes blood and urine, the state of the blood coagulation system is necessarily determined. Perform inspection and palpation lumbar spine. To reveal possible deformations, which may interfere with the puncture.

Tell your doctor about all medicines 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 medicines, including anesthetics and contrast agents, about recently transferred acute diseases, about the presence of chronic ailments, as some of them may be a contraindication to the study. All women childbearing age should tell the doctor about a possible pregnancy.

Without fail, before performing a puncture of the spinal cord, 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 carried out with the patient in the supine position. In this case, it is necessary to bend the legs at the knee and hip joints as much as possible, bring them to the stomach. The head should be bent as far forward as possible and close to chest. It is in this position that the intervertebral spaces expand well and it will be easier for the specialist to get the needle to the right place. In some cases, the puncture is performed with the patient in a sitting position with the most rounded back.

The place for the puncture is chosen by the specialist with the help of palpation of the spine so as not to damage the nervous tissue. ends at level 2 of the lumbar vertebra, but in people of short stature, as well as in children (including newborns), it is slightly longer. Therefore, the needle is inserted in the intervertebral space between 3 and 4 lumbar vertebrae or between 4 and 5. This reduces the risk of complications after the puncture.

After treating the skin with antiseptic solutions, local infiltration anesthesia of soft tissues is performed with a solution of novocaine or lidocaine using a conventional syringe with a needle. After that, a lumbar puncture is performed directly with a special large needle with a mandrin.

What does a lumbar puncture needle look like?

A puncture is made at the selected point, the doctor directs the needle sagittally and slightly upward. At about a depth of 5 cm, resistance is felt, followed by a kind of needle failure. This means that the end of the needle has entered the subarachnoid space and you can proceed to the collection of CSF. To do this, the doctor removes the mandrin from the needle ( inner part, which makes the tool hermetic) and cerebrospinal fluid 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 CSF in a sterile tube, the needle is carefully removed, and the puncture site is sealed. sterile dressing. Within 3-4 hours after the puncture, the patient should lie on his back or on his side.

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

The first step in the analysis of cerebrospinal fluid is the assessment of its pressure. Normal performance in a sitting position - 300 mm. water. Art., in the prone position - 100-200 mm. water. Art. As a rule, pressure is estimated indirectly - by the number of drops per minute. 60 drops per minute corresponds to the normal value of CSF pressure in the spinal canal. The pressure rises when inflammatory processes CNS, with tumor formations, with venous congestion, hydrocephalus and other diseases.

Then the cerebrospinal fluid is collected in two test tubes of 5 ml. They are then used for required list research - physicochemical, bacterioscopic, bacteriological, immunological, PCR diagnostics, etc.

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

Consequences and possible complications

In the vast majority of cases, the procedure passes without any consequences. Naturally, the puncture itself is painful, but the 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 a certain amount of cerebrospinal fluid flows out of the hole after the puncture, as a result of which intracranial pressure decreases and headache occurs. This pain is like headache tension, has a constant aching or squeezing character, 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 can occur, when the needle can damage the spinal 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

Occur with a sharp drop in CSF 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 on signs of dislocation of the midline structures of the brain (EEG, REG).

Infectious complications

May occur due to violation of the rules of asepsis and antisepsis during the puncture. The patient may develop inflammation meninges and even form abscesses. Such consequences of a puncture are life-threatening and require the appointment of powerful antibiotic 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 the manipulation and after it are possible, but they are very rare, and the benefits of puncture far outweigh the risk of negative consequences.