How does a calf get blackleg?

Blackleg is a bacterial infection of muscle caused by the bacterium _Clostridium chauvoei_. The disease principally affects young cattle and sheep. It is characterized by rapid onset, fever, and lameness. The affected muscles are swollen and painful and may become black and necrotic.

Cattle become infected by ingesting feed contaminated with spores of _Clostridium chauvoei_.** Spores can persist for many years in soil and manure. Animals are most susceptible to infection during the first 6 months of life. In addition to blackleg, this bacteria can cause brain infections and other diseases in cattle and sheep.

_Clostridium chauvoei i_s an obligate anaerobe that only grows in the absence of oxygen. When _C. chauvoei_ spores enter a wound, they germinate and begin to grow. They produce a toxin that destroys muscle tissue and causes the characteristic blackening of the affected muscles.

Treatment of blackleg involves administering antibiotics and supportive care. In severe cases, surgical removal of the affected muscles may be necessary.

Prevention of blackleg is essential for controlling the disease. Vaccinating cattle and sheep against _C. chauvoei_ is the most effective way to prevent infection. Additionally, animals should be kept away from areas where there is a risk of exposure to _C. chauvoei_ spores, such as manure piles and contaminated soil.

Other species of _Clostridium_, such as _C. septicum_, _C. novyi_, and _C. perfringens_ , can also cause blackleg in cattle and sheep.