BLACKLEG (BLACK QUARTER)

Dept. of CMS
 Introduction
• Blackleg is an acute, highly fatal, bacterial
disease, mainly affecting cattle and buffaloes,
between ages of 6 months to 2 years
• The disease is caused by Clostridium chauvoei,
• The characterized signs are the development of
emphysematous swelling (puffy) in muscles.
• The name ‘blackleg’ derives from the fact that
the infection mainly seen at the leg muscles,
which become dark (black) in color, seen at PM.
 Etiology
• The disease organisms (Cl. Chauvoei) are spore
forming, gas producing bacteria which can live
in soil for years at dormant state.
• The disease is sporadic, mainly seen in cattle
and buffaloes, rarely in sheep and goats.
• More cases of disease are seen during or after
the rain or flood season, particularly at semi-
hilly areas.
 Transmission
• Blackleg disease is a soil born and not transmitted
from sick to healthy animals.
• The bacterial spores 1st enter the gastro-intestinal
tract, along with contaminated soil/pasture. Then
into blood and finally, in muscles of the body.
• Fat and young animals (6 months to 2 years of
ages) are most susceptible.
• In sheep/goats, the disease can occur through
wounds contamination with infected soil.
Transmission of disease organisms
 Clinical signs
• In per-acute cases, sudden death may occur
without any clinical illness.
• Otherwise, there may be initially rises in
body temperature (104-106 F ) for a day or
two, then it drop to normal to sub-normal.
• Acute lameness, swelling on affected
muscles, dyspnea, anorexia and general
depression are common signs of the disease.
 Clinical signs
• The swelling will be edematous &
emphysematous (spongy) seen at deep
palpation, at the back, hip, thigh, neck, shoulder
or chest areas.
• At 1st the swelling will be hot and very painful,
but at later, it may become cold and insensitive.
• The skin at affected site may become dry (dead).
• Finally, the animal will become recumbent and
die within 2-3 days.
Young healthy animals are more susceptible to blackleg
Swelling at thigh muscles is common in Blackleg
Sudden death may be seen in blackleg
Darkening (black) of muscles is common signs of Blackleg
The affected muscles become dark (black) in Blackleg, at PM
The affected muscles become black
 Treatment
• The onset of blackleg is sudden, so only early
treatment with antibiotic is effective.
• Use of Penicillin, Aureomycin, Oxytetracycline,
given in heavy doses, by IM as well as locally is
affective.
• Anti-inflammatory drugs, as Dexamethasone,
be given by IM to reduce swellings.
• Blackleg antiserum (if available) is very good
and can be given along with antibiotics.
 Control and prevention
• Blackleg can effectively be controlled
by vaccination.
• Alum precipitated Blackleg vaccine
is available for use in animals.
• A Clostridial poly-vaccine (containing Blackleg,
Malignant-edema, Black-disease, and
Enterotoxaemia), is also available, which
provides protection against many diseases.
 Control and prevention
• Young calves should be given 2 shots of vaccine,
at 14 days apart, starting at the age of 4 months,
or before the start of rainy season.
• Followed then revaccination 1st at 1 year and
then 5 years intervals (in endemic areas).
• During the disease outbreaks, animals can be
vaccinated, side-by-side with Penicillin injection.
(It will prevent new cases during the next 10 days,
after that the vaccine provides protection).
 Control and prevention
• Implementation of strict biosecurity and
quarantine measures are necessary during
Blackleg outbreaks,
• Proper disposal of dead animals, by deep
burial or burning.
• Don't graze animals on known disease
areas or contaminated pastures.
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