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Livestock and Poultry Disease Awareness

People love spring – green grass, flowers and spring showers. However, it is important to remember that this season also brings spring storms, which can ultimately lead to flooding on your property, says Amanda Marney, agriculture preparedness specialist, University of Missouri Extension. Marney notes, “You need to be aware that flooding can lead to certain types of diseases in poultry and livestock. If possible, move your animals to a dry, clean environment and give them extra care as they recover from floods. Be very careful about feeding any grass, hay or grain that has been flooded.”

Here are a few diseases you should be aware of as you welcome the arrival of spring.

Blackleg is a highly fatal disease of cattle and sheep. The first sign of this disease is often lameness. Other symptoms include depression, fever and swelling in the hip, shoulder, chest, back, neck or throat muscles. If untreated, blackleg is usually fatal within 24 hours after onset. The best prevention against blackleg is vaccination of all young cattle before they are put on pastures that have been flooded.

Anthrax is another disease that may break out after flooding. It is highly infectious and fatal. All animals that die suddenly should be necropsied by a veterinarian.

Tetanus is a problem when animals have puncture wounds. This can happen easily if they are left on fields with debris left by floodwater. Symptoms of this disease include generalized stiffness caused by muscle contractions. Legs and tail are extended; the third eyelid hovers over the eye when its head is raised. Animals can be vaccinated for tetanus.

Foot rot is a disease that is easy to get when animals are exposed to water and mud. To prevent foot rot and other foot infections, walk cows through a solution of copper sulfate as they leave the barn or as they walk through an alleyway. As long as cows’ feet are stained with the copper sulfate solution, they are reasonably protected against foot rot. If your cattle have already contracted foot rot, it can generally be treated with penicillin and sulpha.

Mastitis can be associated with flooded conditions as organisms in mud and muddy water can cause this disease. To protect your herd against mastits, clean teats and udders with a cleansing agent before applying the sanitizing solution. If you have dairy cattle, dry teat ends carefully with clean paper towels before applying the milking machine. Milk cows carefully. Find a location to let cows to lie down in a dry, clean location. It is important to note that cows are probably better off outside in a wet, muddy pasture than they are in wet, foul barns or confinement.

Botulism is probably the most common post-flood poultry ailment caused by toxins in debris found in floodwaters. Birds are affected when they eat these materials. Symptoms include paralysis, difficulty eating and swallowing, and general weakness. It is best to prevent this disease by confining poultry away from spoiled or decaying matter. If you own a small flock and your bird coop is located in an area prone to flooding – move the birds off of the ground before heavy rains occur, if possible.

Brooder pneumonia is a disease that affects both chickens and turkeys. It affects the birds when they breathe in mold spores from wet, moldy fed or from wet litter. Symptoms include fast breathing, coughing and gasping. To prevent this type of pneumonia, keep your brooders sanitary, give the birds clean litter and do not use moldy feed.

These are just a few of the diseases that can affect your livestock and poultry during flooded conditions. As you read, the best way to treat the majority of these diseases is to prevent them. Plan now to vaccinate or take appropriate measures to protect your animals.

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