OCR Text |
Show ' JOHNE'S DISEASE j IN CATTLE HERDS Infection Exists to Some Degree in Every State (Prepared by the United States Department ot Agriculture.) The presence of Johne's disease in cattle herds in many sections of the United States, as determined by state and federal veterinarians, gives rise to the belief that the infection exists to some degree In virtually every state. This disease (pronounced "yonez," accent ac-cent on first syllable, a long "o" and short "e"), also known as paratuber-culosis, paratuber-culosis, Is an incurable, Infectious, bacterial bac-terial dysentery which affects cattle principally, but may also affect horses, sheep, deer, and goats. Its seriousness, serious-ness, whenever it occurs among cattle, Is such that reactors to the johnln test are slaughtered and indemnities paid. The infection, which is thought to have been introduced Into the United States originally in shipments of cattle from Europe, Is more fully described In Circular Cir-cular 104-C, "Johne's Disease (Para-tuberculosis) (Para-tuberculosis) of Livestock," just issued by the bureau of animal Industry, United States Department of Agriculture. Agricul-ture. The first symptoms of Johne's disease dis-ease are a temporary loss of appetite, and, In cows, a radical diminution of the milk flow. Intermittent diarrhea which falls to respond to medicinal treatment usually follows. The coat becomes rough and the animal looks unthrifty. The appetite may be regained re-gained after the first few days and may remain normal. Affected animals may drink large quantities of water. In the last stages of the disease the animal becomes greatly emaciated and dies as a result of exhaustion. The disease is spread from herd to herd by the introduction of diseased animals, by allowing healthy stock to graze with diseased stock on community communi-ty pastures, and by permitting animals to drink from contaminated brooks. It Is spread within a herd by bacteria which are expelled from a diseased animal and contaminate feed or water. Although there is no satisfactory treatment known for Johne's disease, temporary relief is sometimes obtained by restricting the feed and placing the animal on a dry ration. Isolate suspected sus-pected animals until a diagnosis can be made. Cures are not to be expected. ex-pected. The diagnostic test consists of an injection, into the jugular vein, of a biological product known as johnin. Indemnity funds have been available since July 1, 1927, when Congress granted to the bureau of animal industry indus-try authority -to pay indemnities to cattle owners for animals slaughtered because of reaction to the johnin test.-These test.-These payments are made on the same basis as are indemnities paid on tuberculous tuber-culous cattle. Further details concerning con-cerning the payment of indemnity may be obtained by writing to state livestock live-stock officials, or to the bureau of animal ani-mal industry, United States Department Depart-ment of Agriculture, Washington, D. C. |