Blackleg (black quarter)

cl. chouvei blackleg

1. BLACKLEG (BLACK
QUARTER)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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