Caseous Lymphadenitis in Cattle

Caseous lymphadenitis is a chronic condition that appears in ruminant animals, including sheep, goats and cattle. Generally it causes abscesses, both external and internal, and may result in animal emaciation and death.

  1. Cause

    • This disease is caused by infection of the affected animal with the Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis bacterium.

    Transmission

    • The bacteria typically enters the animal through an open skin wound, or by the mucous membranes in the mouth and lungs. It can be passed within a herd from animals with draining abscesses. These carriers can in some cases appear healthy. Transmission can also come from contaminated feed, bedding and equipment

    Symptoms

    • Abscesses in the lymph nodes, especially around the head and neck, are the most common presenting symptom. In horses and cattle these abscesses may look like chronic acne, or will appear as large abscesses in the pectoral area. These may appear as open draining sores, or as closed and swollen abscesses.

    Complication

    • It is possible for animals to develop internal abscesses. These cause weight loss, and ultimately emaciation. Abscesses are specifically found in the liver and lungs in most autopsied animals.

    Treatment

    • Diagnosis is often made first by physical examination of external symptoms, and second by bacterial analysis of abscess aspirations. There is no treatment for individually infected animals. The best herd treatment is culling of infected animals, and completing annual vaccination.

    In Cattle

    • Cattle are not typically carriers of the disease; rather, they become exposed, and present isolated cases when housed with infected small ruminants. In affected heifers and cows, abortion and mastitis may become more prevalent.