Black Quarter
Black Quarter the disease Black Quarter is also known as Black leg and Badla in Bangala. In Bangladesh, this disease is mostly found in the rainy season, and hence the disease is named Badla. It is an acute, highly fatal infectious disease in cattle and sheep. The disease primarily affects the younger stocks, aged between 6 months to 2 years in cattle. The disease affects ruminants all over the world. The organism of this disease mainly affects leg and neck muscles.
Causal agent The disease is caused by Clostridium chauvoei, a gram-positive bacteria. C chauvoei is found naturally in contaminated soil, water, and the intestinal tract of live and dead animals. This anaerobic organism enters the body through feed or wound that causes disease. The disease usually occurs in summer and spring in Bangladesh.
Clinical signs In some cases, animals may be found dead without showing any symptoms. High fever (41-430 C) was observed in infected animals. Anorexia, depression, and lameness become visible. The affected muscle will be swelling, hot, and painful. Gas will be accumulated in the rumen, and which causes difficulty breathing, animals will die within a short time.
Diagnosis The presence of crepitus and swelling of large muscles are characteristics of this disease's clinical findings. In the laboratory, causative organisms can be isolated and identified in tissue samples, and PCR assay is reported to be reliable for clinical samples. Wounds can be found in affected sheep.
Treatment Antibiotics (penicillin) and antiserum treatments are recommended in case of this disease. To relieve gas, torcher and cannula can be used to puncher rumen for relieving gas.
Control Animals should be vaccinated every six months interval. All unaffected cattle can be vaccinated and treated with antibiotics in outbreak areas. Animals should be moved from affected pastures. Carcasses should be destroyed by deep burial. Sheep should be vaccinated one month before shearing. [Md. Giasuddin]
