Bloody Gut or Hemorrhagic Bowel Syndrome
Bloody gut, also known as hemorrhagic
bowel syndrome (HBS), is a frustrating disease that strikes
apparently healthy animals without much warning and has a fatality
rate of 85 percent or higher. HBS is more prevalent in dairy
cows, especially in early lactation, although it also has been
reported in beef cattle.
According to National Animal Health Monitoring System,
from 1996 to 2002, the number of operations reporting their initial
case of bloody gut/hemorrhagic bowel syndrome (HBS) increased dramatically,
supporting opinions that this is an emerging disease.
In the last few years, several studies have indicated
an association between HBS and C. perfringens Type A. While
no single cause has been identified for HBS, C. perfringens is
believed to be a contributor, as it is commonly isolated from the
gastrointestinal tracts of afflicted animals. In addition to C.
perfringens Type A, bloody
gut/hemorrhagic bowel syndrome (HBS) is linked with early lactation
rations that are rich in energy and protein and low in fiber. Mold
also has been implicated in the disease, specifically Aspergillus
fumigatus found in livestock feeds.
Bloody gut/hemorrhagic bowel syndrome (HBS)
can be found in any size herd in any location. However, USDA reports
that it occurs most frequently in:
- Operations with 500+ cows
- More productive herds with rolling
herd averages of 20,000 lbs. or greater
Signs of bloody gut/hemorrhagic bowel syndrome
(HBS) include a sudden and sometimes massive hemorrhage into
the small intestine, resulting in blood clots that obstruct
the intestine. Other signs of HBS include:
- Cows off feed
- Pale mucous membranes
- Severe decrease in milk production
- Dark, tar-like feces, often containing
clots of digested blood
- Round or pear-shaped abdominal
contour, especially in the lower right abdomen
Treatment of cattle with bloody
gut/hemorrhagic bowel syndrome (HBS) is rarely successful.
Prevention is key. In an effort to address this emerging
disease, Novartis Animal Health has introduced the first
USDA conditionally licensed vaccine for cattle – Clostridium
Perfringens Type A Toxoid. This vaccine aids in the control
of disease syndromes caused by the alpha toxin of C. perfringens.
Two mL of the vaccine should be administered
subcutaneously in the neck, with revaccination in two to four
weeks following the initial dose. Revaccinate annually or as
recommended by your veterinarian. The product can be given
to pregnant or non-pregnant animals, and can be given to calves
as young as one month of age.
In addition to vaccination, other management
measures to consider for HBS are:
- Evaluating and correcting nutritional
factors that may predispose cows to HBS, such as lack of
roughage or too much carbohydrate in the diet
- Testing silage to verify proper
ensiling, quality and to check for the presence of C.
perfringens Type A, mold or mycotoxins
- Practicing good bunk management,
such as keeping feed pushed up and removing leftover
feed from the bunk daily
- Identifying and correcting problems
that might lower disease resistance during transition
and early lactation
To learn more about HBS, contact your veterinarian,
your Novartis
representative or a Novartis
professional service veterinarian.
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