Disease reporting and analysis of disease trends leading to early warning and disease prevention. Dr Danie Odendaal and Dr Faffa Malan

Disease reporting and analysis of disease trends leading to early warning and disease prevention. Dr Danie Odendaal and Dr Faffa Malan

July 2010

May 2008 February 2010 June 2010 Why did it happen? 1. No interactive disease reporting system 2. No monthly electronic communication system between veterinary practices and livestock clients 3. No vaccine reminder system 4. No early warning system

1. Go down the list of disease conditions or disease causing factors. 2. Please select and mark the ones that caused clinical cases, production losses or problems during the month. 3. Mark as 1, 2 or 3 according to degree and priority of the problem. See scale in the column to the right. 4. If it was not a problem leave the block next to the specific disease-causing factor open. 5. If any other disease/problem occurred and it is not mentioned in that segment, please add it in the space provided. 6. If any specific diseases or conditions were marked and more information needs to be supplied, it can be done at the end/reverse side of the form where the 5 most important diseases or tendencies for the month can be described. Internal Parasites 1,2, 3 External parasites 1,2, 3 Tick-borne diseases 1,2, 3 Insect transmittable diseases 1,2, 3 Venereal diseases Intestinal roundworms Blue ticks Biting lice African redwater Lumpy skin disease Vibriosis Resistant roundworms Resistant blue ticks Sucking lice Asiatic redwater Three-day-stiffsickness Trichomoniasis Tape worms Heartwater tick Biting flies Anaplasmosis Rift valley fever Liver Fluke worms Brown ear- tick Nuisance flies Heartwater Conical Fluke worms Bont-legged tick Midges Sweating sickness 1,2, 3 Other bacterial, fungal, protozoal or viral diseases 1,2, 3 Poisoning 1,2, 3 Macro nutritional problems 1,2, 3 Micro nutritional problems 1,2, 3 Environmental conditions 1,2, 3 Blackleg/Quarter evil Bovine malignant catarrh Tulip poisoning Low condition Copper Available grazing Red gut Rabies Prussic acid poisoning Acidosis Zink Heat stress Botulism Enzootic Bovine Leucosis Urea poisoning Selenium Ringworm Warts Vitamin A Multi-factorial disease conditions 1,2, 3 Metabolic disease conditions 1,2, 3 Reproductive disease conditions 1,2, 3 Dairy specific disease conditions 1,2, 3 Calf diseases Lung infection Ketosis Abortion Mastitis-infectious Lung infection Diarrhoea Milk fever Poor conception Mastitis-environmental Diarrhoea Eye problems Dystocia Lameness Eye problems Abscesses Metritis Nave ill Retained afterbirths Joint ill 1,2, 3 Name other diseases not on the list. 1,2, 3

Detail of procedure for the daily or at least monthly reporting of diseases by the herd veterinarian Diseases that occur during the current month can now be marked and described. 1. Click in the block next to the disease if it occurred. Choose a number from the drop down menu from 0-3 which is colour coded according to the level of importance. 2. Choose a standard comment from the list in the next block if you wish to explain the disease level further. 3. Type your own comment if one of the standard comments does not explain the level of disease occurrence adequately. This is to provide the veterinarian with more information on the case/s. Specie Month No diseases this month Lumpy skin disease / Knopvelsiekte Dairy May 2014 Ensure that you Save before leaving any page otherwise all new entries will be lost. Comment Report Monthly Diseases Apr 2014 Standard comment from drop down menu 2 Own comment Comment Mar 14 Feb 14 When you click on own comment a window will open click in the window and type your extended comments then close the window and continue with marking the next disease. Jan 14 Dec 13 Nov 13 Oct 13 Sep 13 Aug 13 Very high number of flying insects 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 5 new heifer were affected No disease Take note Problem Major problem 0 1 2 3 1 case Jul 13 0 cases >1 cases >10 cases Jun 13

During 2014 there were 133 veterinarians (members of the Ruminant Veterinarian Association of South Africa RuVASA) that reported on the system. This is a enormous undertaking in order to get an overview of disease distribution at a regional-, provincial- and national level.

DISEASE DISTRIBUTION REPORT AS REPORTED BY VETERINARIANS Table of Contents Internal Parasites Internal Parasites Roundworms in general Roundworms in general, Resistant Round Worms, Wireworm, Brown stomach-worm, Eye worm (Thelazia rhodesii), Tape Worms, Parafilaria, Liver fluke, Conical Flukes, Cysticercosis ^ PROVINCE Mpumalanga Gauteng Limpopo North West Free State Kwazulu-Natal Eastern Cape Western Cape Northern Cape Average 2.0 (3) 3.0 (1) 1.0 (1) 3.0 (2) 2.4 (9) 2.1 (14) 2.3 (7) 2.3 (6) Level of importance scale: 1 = one case, 2 = more than one case but less than ten and 3 = more than 10 cases reported Beef 2.0 (2) 2.0 (2) 1.0 (1) Dairy 3.0 (1) 3.0 (1) 2.0 (1) Sheep 2.0 (3) 3.0 (1) 1.0 (1) 3.0 (2) 2.6 (7) 2.2 (6) 2.3 (4) 2.4 (5) Goat 2.0 (5) 3.0 (1) Mpumalanga Balfour, Balfour Dierekliniek Sheep: 1 Middelburg Dierehospitaal Sheep: 2 Standerton, Econovet Sheep: 3 Gauteng Pretoria, Anima Veterinary Consulting Rooms Sheep: 3 Limpopo Polokwane, Pietersburg Veterinary Clinic Sheep: 1 North West Leeudoringstad, Leeudoringstad Dierekliniek Sheep: 3 Veterinary practices that reported this disease per province. Relative importance of this disease (0-3) Comment or description of the problem by the veterinary practice ( ) = Number of veterinarians that reported this specific disease. Wireworm - still problems on a few farms where sheep are farmed intensively (concentrated) - heavy infestations from September to October which is still not under control.

Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Lamb Wean Breed Insect borne diseases Blue tongue, Rift Valley Fever, Wesselsbron disease Pneumonia Sheep scab Biting lice Pulpy kidney Lameness Multihost ticks Pneumonia Paralysis ticks Sheep scab Round worms Liver fluke Wean Breed Lamb Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun

Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Calve Breed Wean Pneumonia Lameness Quarter Evil Insect borne diseases Lumpy skin, Rift Valley Fever, Three day Stiffness Pneumonia Lice and mites Blueticks Multihost ticks Heartwater Redwater Roundworms Liver fluke Anaplasmosis Connical fluke Breed Wean Calve Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun

Increase resistance or immunity Structured approach Example that illustrates the difference in the approach needed for the prevention of a few different disease conditions as discussed in the previous edition of the disease trend report. The first step in a herd health approach is to identify and then totally control the diseases that can be effectively excluded in order to drastically reduce emergencies. Lumpy skin disease Rift valley fever Three-daystiffsickness Black quarter Botulism Anthrax Ticks Roundworms Tape worms Brucellosis Mastitis Lameness Tuberculosis The second step is to identify the disease conditions which are difficult to control and then to develop a strategy through which these diseases can be managed on a continuous basis. Decrease or avoid exposure Although it is not easy to change over to a herd health approach overnight, the first step can be taken in order to reduce disease emergencies, and that can be done by effectively excluding relatively easily controllable diseases through vaccination.

Vaccination plan As discussed previously, it is necessary that each dairy farmer has a written vaccination plan in place for the control of diseases that can effectively be prevented by vaccination. This must be developed with the help of the herd veterinarian, who will have a copy of the program in order to do collective seasonal planning for the ordering of vaccine. Number of animals 250 Cows that calve seasonally Total Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Calves Birth to AI/mating 100 Multi-clostridial (2X) 200 100 100 Botulism and anthrax 100 100 Botulism 100 100 Lumpy skin disease 100 100 Rift Valley disease 100 100 Three-day-stiffsickness 100 100 Pregnant heifers 75 Multi-clostridial 75 75 Botulism and anthrax 75 75 Lumpy skin disease 75 100 Rift Valley disease 75 100 Three-day-stiffsickness 75 100 Cows 250 Multi-clostridial 250 250 Botulism and anthrax 250 250 Lumpy skin disease 250 250 Rift Valley disease 250 250 Three-day-stiffsickness 250 250 The vaccines needed at a regional and national level for the dairy industry can be determined if each dairy farmer has a documented vaccination plan in place.

Spring lambing season Sonar Lamb Wean Breed 9 10 11 Birth 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Birth 1 Wean Breed Sonar Lamb Autumn lambing season Spring lambing season Ewes (after the lambing season up to weaning) No action. Ewes were vaccinated against pulpy kidney before lambing. Lambs (2-4 months of age and weaning) Administer the first vaccination against pulpy kidney (three weeks prior to weaning) and follow up with a booster dose upon weaning. Alternatively the oil based pulpy kidney vaccine can be used once at three months of age. The first vaccination of naive animals (not yet exposed) is the most important and should be correctly administered. Rams (breeding and after breeding) No action. Rams was vaccinated before spring against pulpy kidney (together with the spring lambing ewes before lambing) Autumn lambing season Ewes (breeding and after breeding) No action. Ewes will be vaccinated against pulpy kidney before lambing. Lambs (7-9 months of age) No action. Lambs were vaccinated against pulpy kidney at weaning.

Disease Trends African vs Asiatic red water. During the last Autumn it was clear that redwater is still an unsolved problem and that Asiatic redwater is becoming a real threat. See the distribution map below for the Autumn 2014. These two diseases must not be viewed as the same disease. In a susceptible herd Asiatic redwater can cause many animals to die overnight if the disease transmission and development is not well understood.

African redwater Disease transmission The blood parasite (Babesia bigemina) is transmitted by the nymph and adult stages of the blue tick when it sucks blood from the animal. The blood parasite enters the small blood vessels in the skin with the spit (saliva) of the tick when it sucks blood. It will then enter a red blood cell where it will grow and divide. In the process it will destroy (burst) the red blood cell and the two parasites formed will now enter two new red blood cells. Initially, only a very few red blood cells will be infected (less than 1 in 100). An example of the disease development process of this tickborne blood parasite which causes the destruction of red blood cells leading to anaemia (blood loss) and acute death. Week 1-2 For the next two weeks the animals will show no signs of disease and will behave, eat, walk and produce normally. Over the next two weeks the blood parasites will multiply and infect more and more red blood cells. Infected red blood cells burst, leading to blood loss (anaemia). The red content of the burst red blood cells must now be removed by the liver or excreted by the kidneys. The animal s own immune system now starts to react against the infection, giving rise to a fever. >2 Weeks Infected cattle suddenly develop general signs of disease: stop eating and chewing the cud, head and ears hang and they become reluctant to move. More specific signs such as difficult or faster breathing and red-brown urine now become apparent. 3 days First signs of disease The animal s fever will rise to over 40 0 C at least two days before visible signs of disease appear. Death Advanced signs of disease 1 day The animal copes with the blood loss up to a certain point when there are just too few red blood cells left for the blood to carry enough oxygen to the rest of the body cells. The animal will show sudden weakness and when examined, the inner eyelid will be white. The animal normally dies within 24 hours after advanced sign of disease. Diagnosis of infection in the live animals. The veterinarian examines the animal by taking the temperature, listening to and determining the heart and respiration rate, looking at the inside eyelid. They then take a blood smear for examination under the microscope to identify the type of parasites in the red blood cells Examination of dead cattle. The veterinarian will look for many signs including signs of blood loss, liver and kidney damage and the colour of the urine in the bladder. A blood smear will also be examined to make and confirm a final diagnosis.

However the speed of transmission change during or after a heat wave.. The development of the red water parasite is faster within the salivary glands of the tick and the infection can be passed on, on day 1 when the larva attach and even before it even started the suck blood.

Sponssiekte (2014) Bethal, Delmas, Ermelo, Grootvlei, Lydenburg, Middelburg, Piet Retief, Standeron, Volksrust, Bapsfontein, Bronkhorstspruit, Bela-Bela, Machado, Mokopane, Polokwane, Christiana, Leeudoringstad, Schweizer-Reneke, Swartruggens, Ventersdorp, Vryburg, Bethlehem, Bloemfontein, Bothaville, Clocolan, Dewetsdorp, Ficksburg, Frankfort, Harrismith, Hoopstad, Kroonstad, Ladybrand/Excelsior, Memel, Parys, Reitz, Viljoenskroon, Villiers, Vrede, Wesselsbron, Winburg, Zastron, Bergville, Dundee, Estcourt, Kokstad, Mooi River, Mtubatuba, Newcastle, Pietermaritzburg, Pongola, Underberg, Vryheid, Adelaide, Aliwal North, Humansdorp, Jeffreys Bay, Middelburg, Queenstown, Somerset East, Uitenhage, Caledon, Oudtshoorn, Plettenberg Bay, Riversdale, De Aar, Kimberley kjkjnmn

Illustration of a disease development process that is so fast that it can only effectively be prevented by vaccination black quarter as example. Low grade infection No signs of disease can be observed although the animal is already infected. 1-2 Days after bruising Only lameness and swelling of the limb can be observed if very effective daily observation is practiced. First signs of disease Next day Sudden death of animals, mostly calves or young cattle but adult cattle can also die. Post mortem examination Veterinarian will look for typical signs of the disease in the muscles, under the skin and in other organs. Bacterium Toxin Development of black quarter Normally there is no chance for treatment Poison that forms in the muscle which kill cattle The bacteria that cause black quarter get into the body through small wounds. These there without multiplying or causing damage. They will start to multiply only under favourable conditions. When muscles get bruised it causes internal which forms the right condition for the and produce a in the muscles. This part of the disease process is not easily visible. This poison causes immediate and severe damage to all the vital organs in the body including the kidneys, heart, lungs and brain. The veterinarian will take samples to confirm the cause of the disease (diagnosis). This part of the disease process is now easily visible

Knopvelsiekte 2014 Balfour, Bethal, Delmas, Ermelo, Grootvlei, Lydenburg, Machadodorp, Middelburg, Nelspruit, Piet Retief, Standerton, Volksrust, Bapsfontein, Bronkhorstspruit, Nigel, Pretoria, Bela-Bela, Machado, Modimolle, Mokopane, Polokwane, Tzaneen, Christiana, Leeudoringstad, Lichtenburg, Rustenburg, Schweizer-Reneke, Stella, Bethlehem, Bloemfontein, Bothaville, Clocolan, Frankfort, Harrismith, Hoopstad, Kroonstad, Ladybrand/Excelsior, Memel, Parys, Reitz, Villiers, Vrede, Wesselsbron, Winburg, Bergville, Dundee, Camperdown, Eshowe, Estcourt, Howick, Kokstad, Mooi River, Mtubatuba, Newcastle, Pietermaritzburg, Pongola, Underberg, Vryheid, Alexandria, Humansdorp, Jeffreys Bay, Somerset East, Beaufort-West, Caledon, Ceres, Darling, Heidelberg, Malmesbury, Oudtshoorn, Riversdale, Stellenbosch, Swellendam, Vredenburg, Wellington, Calvinia, Kimberley kjkjnmn

The disease development process of lumpy skin disease as an example: Organism Transmission Development Signs Virus enters body cells and start to multiply It is a viral disease with no primary treatment option*. It is transmitted in a number of different ways, but primarily by flying insects to susceptible animals. It has an incubation period of approximately two weeks before the signs of disease are seen. It has very distinct and visible signs of disease in the clinically affected animal. Week 1 Week 2 Viruses spread to adjacent body cells Viruses destroy body tissue and the first signs of disease are observed. By the time the first clinical signs are observed the disease was already transmitted 2 weeks previously. This is why the reporting of the first case of the disease in a district is so critically important for possible prevention of further disease transmission or providing booster vaccinations. Viruses spread through the blood to other parts of the body The virus multiplies in body cells, then moves to adjacent cells or through the blood to other body cells causing damage to the cells in which they multiply. * No product is currently available to treat livestock against a viral infection.

Avoid the losses that happened last year as a result of Pneumonia Early warning brought too livestock farmers : V-Net is a group of independently owned, pro-active veterinary practices that work together to develop a new standard in the provision of planned livestock health and production services. V-Net is n groep proaktiewe privaat veeartspraktyke wat saamwerk om die hoogste vlak van beplande veegesondheid en produksiebestuursdienste aan die Suid-Afrikaanse veeboer te bied.

Pneumonia cases and outbreaks as reported by the Ruminant jkccff Veterinary Association of South Africa. Winter 2014 May 2014 June 2014 July 2014 August 2014

Pneumonia (May 2014) Pneumonia (June 2014) Balfour, Bethal, Ermelo, Standerton, Bapsfontein, Onderstepoort, Machado, Leeudoringstad, Schweizer-Reneke, Bethlehem, Bloemfontein, Clocolan, Frankfort, Harrismith, Kroonstad, Memel, Reitz, Viljoenskroon, Villiers, Dundee, Estcourt, Howick, Kokstad, Mtubatuba, Underberg, Vryheid, Aliwal North, Cradock, Graaff-Reinet, Jeffreys Bay, Middelburg, Somerset East, Beaufort West, Ceres, Malmesbury, Riversdal, Stellenbosch, Swellendam, Kathu Balfour, Bethal, Delmas, Ermelo, Lydenburg, Bapsfontein, Bronkhorstspruit, Onderstepoort, Pretoria, Bela-Bela, Polokwane, Tzaneen, Schweizer-Reneke, Vryburg, Bethlehem, Bloemfontein, Bothaville, Clocolan, Ficksburg, Harrismith, Hoopstad, Kroonstad, Ladybrand, Reitz, Villiers, Vrede, Wesselsbron, Bergville, Dundee, Estcourt, Mooi River, Pietermaritzburg, Aliwal North, Humansdorp, Jeffreys Bay, Beaufort West, Caledon, Ceres, Darling, Malmesbury, Riversdal, Stellenbosch, Upington Pneumonia (July 2014) Pneumonia (August 2014) Delmas, Ermelo, Lydenburg, Standerton, Bapsfontein, Bronkhorstspruit, Nigel, Onderstepoort, Pretoria, Machado, Polokwane, Brits, Christiana, Leeudoringstad, Rustenburg, Bultfontein, Clocolan, Dewetsdorp, Frankfort, Harrismith, Hoopstad, Kroonstad, Ladybrand, Memel, Parys, Villiers, Vrede, Winburg, Bergville, Dundee, Estcourt, Kokstad, Mooi River, Pietermaritzburg, Underberg, Alexandria, Jeffreys Bay, Stutterheim, Caledon, George, Malmesbury, Swellendam, Kimberley, Upington Balfour, Ermelo, Piet Retief, Standerton, Bapsfontein, Nigel, Bela-Bela, Machado, Polokwane, Christiana, Leeudoringstad, Rustenburg, Schweizer-Reneke, Swartruggens, Vryburg, Bethlehem, Bothaville, Clocolan, Ficksburg, Frankfort, Reitz, Vrede, Winburg, Bergville, Dundee, Estcourt, Howick, Kokstad, Mooi River, Mtubatuba, Pietermaritzburg, Underberg, Graaff-Reinet, Darling, Malmesbury, Vredenburg

Pneumonia is one of the diseases mostly reported by veterinarians on a monthly basis. If the seasonality of the disease are considered, there is indeed an increase during the seasonal transition months ( autumn to winter and winter to spring ) but it is also a disease that occur throughout the year in most areas in South Africa It is a complex disease with many contributing factors that work together before the disease is experienced, and there are also different organisms working together primary and secondary to cause lung damage. As soon as the first case of pneumonia occurs under field conditions in an area, it is an indication that the environmental conditions are now optimal for the development of the disease and observation of animals should be intensified in order to identify this disease early.

Development over a period of time. The development of pneumonia under field conditions is a good example of a disease that develop over a few days and where the first signs of the disease should be observed immediately by structured daily observation.

Signs of disease that become visible over time. No signs of disease can be seen and the animal looks healthy and is eating. First signs of disease The first sign of disease is coughing and a watery discharge from the nose. The ears are hanging and the animal starts to eat less. The nasal discharge becomes yellow and thick. The animal stands with a lowered head and falls behind the herd when they are driven. The animal is struggling to breathe through its nose, straining the belly and ribcage to breathe out. It lies down and is too weak to get up and in most cases the animal dies. Start of Infection 1-2 Days later 2-3 Days later 3-4 Days later = Disease causing germs Pneumonia 24 Hour window for early treatment Bacterial infection of the lungs Actual invisible damage that develops over time due to infection. Germs (bacteria and viruses) from the air or upper airway are inhaled. Normally the body will trap these germs in the slime covering the smooth lining of the nose and windpipe. This slime will then be coughed out to get rid of the germs. Due to factors like cold, wind or dusty conditions the lungs can t get rid of the germs and they start to multiply in the lungs. Because of the very favourable environment for growth provided in the lungs, the number of germs multiplies fast and is now 10 times more. The multiplying germs start to damage the lungs. The animal s own defence system now starts to react, attracting white blood cells to the lungs in order to kill the germs. This defence reaction causes fever temperature above 40 o C. The number of germs is now 1000 times more. The germs and the body s own defence reaction cause damage to large parts of the lungs - normally a very soft and delicate organ. The transfer of oxygen to the blood is now severely reduced. The animal has a fever with a temperature above 40 o C The millions of germs and puss that were produced by the body s defence reaction have destroyed the largest part of the lungs. The lungs can no longer function and the animal dies due to lack of oxygen. When the animal is opened up after death the lungs are very hard and dark red and sometimes filled with yellow pus.

What a livestock worker will actually be able to observe when using a structured observation system Head up Head down Stand alone Head down Stay behind Head down Lay down Behaviour Behaviour Behaviour Behaviour Clean dry Eyes Ears Alert Clean Tears Eyes Ears Slower movement Discharge Eyes Ears Hang Crusty discharge Eyes Ears Hanging Clean Mouth Nose Wet Smooth Clean Mouth Nose Dry Watery discharge Slightly open Mouth Nose Mucous discharge Hangs open Froth Mouth Nose Cracked Yellow discharge Start of Infection 1-2 Days later 3-4 Days later 5-6 Days later Condition Condition Lower Condition Much lower Condition Normal Eating Less Eating Much less Eating Stop eating Eating Chewing Normal Drinking Normal Breathing Normal Chewing Less chewing the cud Breathing Chewing Breathing Chewing Faster Laboured, Less movement using chest Stop chewing the of the chest and ruminating cud Drinking Drinking abdomen Drinking to breath Normal Less out Stop Breathing Struggle to breath in and out Pneumonia 24 Hour window for early treatment Bacterial infection of the lungs

In the case of pneumonia, there is a wide spectrum of predisposing factors that mainly suppress the animal's own resistance or defence mechanisms leading to the potential for the disease to develop. Some of the factors are stress ( reduce the number of white blood cells ), nutritional deficiencies (especially protein deficiency ) dust and cold ( suppresses the function of the mucous membrane which must remove and keep bacteria out of the lungs. The most important risk factor is when there is a large difference between the night and day temperatures (more than 20ºC)

Preventive vaccination The management of pneumonia is twofold ( vaccination and / or early effective treatment. Firstly it is necessary to give a vaccination or booster vaccine at the beginning of the winter, in order to re-activated the immune system of the animal - it stimulates the formation of high levels of circulating antibodies in the blood. This complex disease can not completely be prevented simply by vaccination, but vaccination makes a significant contribution to increase the animals active resistance to the disease and especially to limit lung damage The basis of vaccines against pneumonia consists of the inactivative toxin ( leukotoxin ). This toxin is secreted by the most important bacterium when it multiply in the lungs. It specifically destroys white blood cells and thereby suppresses the animals resistance to the disease. The white blood cells that are destroyed cause a severe inflammation and it is this process that cause the most lung damage.

Use the appropriate vaccine or a combination of vaccines. There is a huge number of vaccines and vaccine combinations against lung infections available and farmers are advised to consult the vet about this, specifically because the prevention is highly dependent on the specific cause of pneumonia in a specific area. Why the veterinarian should be consulted about the choice of vaccines: Only the veterinarian has the professional knowledge to interpret the advantages and disadvantages of the various vaccines in the context of disease incidence in a particular area. Keeping the cold chain is crucial to maintain the effectiveness of vaccines and because veterinarians understand the working of vaccines specific attention is given to ensure that the quality and effectiveness is preserved. The veterinarian will also be the person that will further render support in the event where there is still clinical pneumonia cases in vaccinated herds.

Post- mortem examination of animals that have died. Because there is such a variety of organisms that can work together in causing pneumonia, it is essential that the veterinarian does an autopsy on animals that died. In the case of pneumonia, these findings are used to decide how the rest of the herd must be treated to prevent further losses. In certain cases it is also necessary to take laboratory samples to determine the specific cause in order to adapt preventive vaccination or antibiotic treatment.

Choice of antibiotics for early and effective treatment There is a big difference between the type of injectable antibiotic products available over the counter and those on prescription from a veterinarian. Over the counter antibiotics ( Oxytetracyclines and Sulphamonamides ) are bacteriostatic which means they only suppress the growth of bacteria. Prescription antibiotic drugs that could be obtained from the veterinarian are usually bactericidal, meaning that it will kill bacteria within a short period of time.

Using a new generation of antibiotics Cases of pneumonia that occurs in the autumn, winter and spring, needs an injectable antibiotic that works fast and effective in killing bacteria as soon as possible. Prescription treatments for pneumonia are only available through the veterinarian. Older generation antibiotics such as Oxytetracyclines can be used the treat animals that were in contact for prevention but this use must still be done after consulting with the herd veterinarian.

Summary Pneumonia is a complex disease, vaccines do play a major role in increasing the animal's immunity to the specific disease, correct management of contributory factors are also very important. The first signs of the disease should be observed immediately and in consultation with the veterinarian, decided on a treatment plan for the disease. It will usually affects and lead to the death of more than one animal.

Ongoing Disease Management - Lameness In the previous report a overview was provided of the identification of the problem followed by a simple classification of causes and then the classification of the losses that can be expected. The limitation is that we don t have South African data or research results that provide a clear understanding of the monetary losses due to lameness. The prevention or better management of lameness will not be seen as a priority if this calculation is not done to clearly demonstrate the cost benefit of better lameness management. Monitor and adapt the management plan Develop and implement management plan Identify the problem (Determine the rate of occurrence) Lameness as an example Determine losses and priority Determine cost/benefit of control options Causes of lameness can be classified into two categories. 1. Lesions primarily started by infectious organisms. Digital dermatitis Interdigital dermatitis Losses due to lameness can be broadly classified in three categories. Direct Immediate visible losses especially in milk production and cost of treatment. Deep infections White line lesions Indirect Longer term effect on especially reproduction, longevity and premature culling. 2. Lesions primarily started by other factors. Sole bruising Sole abscesses Welfare General health and wellness of dairy animals and reputation of the industry. Other lesions

Interactive communication between veterinarian and livestock farmer Continuous communication can be achieved by using computer and cell phone technology through which the farmer can report disease problems as they occur. These are problems handled by the farmer and therefore not seen by the veterinarian. This easy way of reporting will take up minimum time but provide an immediate overview of a specific farm s disease status. This will further lead to the development and implementation of an early disease warning system through which the dairy farmers can be informed of a developing disease trend within a specific area for which additional actions must be implemented if the current herd health plan is insufficient. The challenge is to simplify the disease reporting and automated analysis to provide practical management information which can immediately be used to prevent losses. Technology and specifically cell phone technology make it now possible to share a disease problem immediately with the herd veterinarian. This information can be depicted in a format that provide the herd veterinarian with an daily overview of the disease status on the farm of a individual farmer. Time is the limiting and pivotal factor in determining the outcome of a disease.

Mar 15 Feb 15 Jan 15 Dec 14 Nov 14 Oct 14 Sep 14 Aug 14 Jul 14 Jun 14 May 14 Apr 14 Mar 14 Reporting by the farmer to the herd veterinarian via cell phone Format of the overview of disease problems on a specific farm which the herd veterinarian will be able to see for 12 months. Donkerbos Disease conditions V-Net Disease Reporting Dairy Farmer Date Donkerbos March 2015 Internal Parasites LF External Parasites Blue ticks Resistant blue ticks Animal type 0 1 >1 >10 Beef cattle Dairy cattle Sheep Goat Brown ear-tick Insect transmittable diseases Tick-borne diseases Poisoning Complex disease conditions This icon shows that this specific problem were already reported earlier during this month. Farmer is now busy reporting a problem observed regarding resistant blue ticks. As soon as it is saved it will automatically update the disease overview on the system of the herd veterinarian. Internal Parasites Liver fluke Conical fluke External Parasites Blue ticks Resistant blue ticks Flies Midges Tick-borne diseases African redwater Asiatic redwater Anaplasmosis Heartwater Insect transmittable diseases Lumpy skin disease Three-day-stiffsickness Wesselsbron disease Poisoning Kikuju Tulip Complex disease conditions Abortion Dystocia Metritis Mastitis Retained afterbirth Foot problems Diarrhoea

Client 1 Client 2 Client 3 Client 4 Client 5 Client 6 Client 7 Client 8 Client 9 Donkerbs Client 11 Client 12 Client 13 Client 14 Client 15 Client 16 Client 17 Client 18 Client 19 Client 20 The overview which the herd veterinarian see for all livestock clients in order to identify disease trends that need action plans for improved prevention or early treatment. The overview of one farmer s (Donderbos) reported problems in relation to other dairy farmers in the region (all clients of the herd veterinarian) In this example liver fluke, resistant blue ticks, three-day-stiffness and lameness can be identified as farm or area specific problems that need to be addressed by the farmers with the support of the herd veterinarian. The veterinarian then monthly report a summary of the problems in the area to the central reporting system operated by the Ruminant Veterinary Association (RuVASA). March 2015 Dairy clients Disease Conditions Internal Parasites Liver fluke Conical fluke External Parasites Blue ticks Resistant blue ticks Flies Midges Tick-borne diseases African redwater Asiatic redwater Anaplasmosis Heartwater Insect transmittable diseases Lumpy skin disease Three-day-stiffsickness Wesselsbron disease Poisoning Kikuju Tulip Complex disease conditions Abortion Dystocia Metritis Mastitis Retained afterbirth Foot problems Diarrhoea The function of disease monitoring is to provide the veterinarian with a tool that give a real time overview of disease status within a practice area in order to implement a disease prevention service.

The herd veterinarian can also: 1.Focus on one disease that is currently causing problems for all farmers, or 2. Drill down to see what happened to this disease in the area over a period of months.

Client 1 Client 2 Client 3 Client 4 Client 5 Client 6 Client 7 Client 8 Client 9 Client 10 Client 11 Client 12 Client 13 Client 14 Client 15 Client 16 Client 17 Client 18 Client 19 Client 20 Example: A Disease April 2014 Dairy Clients Disease conditions Internal Parasites Liver fluke Conical fluke External Parasites Blue ticks Resistant blue ticks Flies Midges Tick-borne diseases African redwater Asiatic redwater Anaplasmosis Heartwater Insect transmittable diseases Lumpy skin disease Three-day-stiffsickness Wesselsbron disease Poisoning Kikuju Tulip Complex disease conditions Abortion Dystocia Metritis Mastitis Retained afterbirth Foot problems Diarrhoea

May 14 Apr 14 Mar 14 Feb 14 Jan 14 Dec 13 Nov 13 Oct 13 Sep 13 Aug 13 Jul 13 Jun 13 May 13 Apr 13 Mar 13 Feb 13 Jan 13 Dec 12 Nov 12 Oct 12 Example: A Disease Three-day-stiff Sickness Clients Client 1 Client 2 Client 3 Client 4 Client 5 Client 6 Client 7 Client 8 Client 9 Client 10 Client 11 Client 12 Client 13 Client 14 Client 15 Client 16 Client 17 Client 18 Client 19 Client 20

Disease Trends Anaplasmosis. During the winter anaplasmosis was a constant problem in many different regions of South Africa including the major dairy production areas. See the distribution map below. Anaplasmosis remains a problematic disease for the dairy industry with two syndromes that need to be managed: New infections and disease in susceptible animals. Flaring up of the infection in carrier animals that normally have immunity against the disease.

The importance of local knowledge and results. Aug 14 Client 1 Jul 14 Client 2 Jun 14 Client 3 May 14 Client 4 Apr 14 Client 5 Mar 14 Client 6 Feb 14 Client 7 Jan 14 Client 8 Dec 13 Client 9 Nov 13 Client 10 Oct 13 Client 11 Sep 13 Client 12 Aug 13 Client 13 Jul 13 Client 14 Jun 13 Client 15 May 13 Client 16 Apr 13 Client 17 Mar 13 Client 18 Feb 13 Client 19 Jan 13 Client 20 Anaplasmosis is a very good example where disease management must be adapted according to the disease status within a specific geographical area. 1. Disease reporting from the dairy farmer to the herd veterinarian is the only way in which the occurrence and importance of a disease like this one can be established for a specific geographical area and for a specific farm. 2. The overview generated by illustrating this data can then be used by the herd veterinarian to identify farms under the same environmental conditions where the disease is well controlled versus farms where it is an on-going problem. When dairy farmers report diseases seen during the month to the herd veterinarian a overview of disease distribution can be developed to determine importance and priority. Augustus 2014 Tick-borne diseases African redwater Asiatic redwater Anaplasmosis Heartwater Monthly disease reporting to the herd veterinarian then also builds up a history that can be viewed for one farmer for a specific disease like anaplasmosis over a period of time. Client 6: history over 2 years Tick-borne diseases Anaplasmosis

Aug 14 Jul 14 Jun 14 May 14 Apr 14 Mar 14 Feb 14 Jan 14 Dec 13 Nov 13 Oct 13 Sep 13 Aug 13 Jul 13 Jun 13 May 13 Apr 13 Mar 13 Feb 13 Jan 13 The importance of local knowledge and results. Monthly reporting by the dairy farmers to the herd veterinarian provides the opportunity to compare effective management of a specific disease between farms. In many cases and especially in the case of anaplasmosis, which is a very complex disease to control the veterinarian will need this information. Anaplasmosis distribution over 2 years in this area Client 1 Client 2 Client 3 Client 4 Client 5 Client 6 Client 7 Client 8 Client 9 Client 10 Client 11 Client 12 Client 13 Client 14 Client 15 Client 16 Client 17 Client 18 Client 19 Client 20 There is no single approach to the management of anaplasmosis in dairy herds Control is based on results obtained over time within a specific geographical area. The future of effective disease control in dairy herds will be based on the availability of the monthly disease occurrence and the analysis of this distribution over a period of time.

What is the problem?

Most losses or deaths due to disease occur because the first signs of disease are ignored, or the signs are not understood and therefore no action is taken until it is too late.

THE MOST IMPORTANT FUNCTION OF THE LIVESTOCK HANDLER IS STRUCTURED DAILY OBSERVATION. Because we can t see the organs, daily observation of the visible signs of health or disease are used to evaluate the working of all the body systems. Successful prevention or treatment depend on identification and recording the first signs of disease. If you can see it we will help you to treat it.

Behaviour Animal ID: Date: Reported by: / / 20 Eyes Ears DOC Mouth Nose Eating Breathing Condition Skin\hair Dung Urine Rumen Fill Chewing Swallowing Drinking Udder & teats Vulva Testicles & sheath Backline Standing Lying Front Legs & Feet Back Legs & Feet Tail

1 Head up Behaviour Eyes Ears Nose Mouth Follow a specific structure during daily observation. Looking at the heads of animals is the first step in daily observation because even in a large group of animals the head is the most visible part of the body. If the heads of all animals are viewed and appear normal, the observer already has a good indication that there is no major problem in the herd. The head houses the brain which controls behaviour and other body systems. Any disease that has a direct effect on the brain or on the whole body will affect behaviour in many different ways. The eyes are a direct extension of the brain. It can be affected by damage to the eye itself or it can show signs that the whole body is affected. The posture and activity of the external ear lobes are very sensitive indicators of the well being of the animal. Any change in posture and activity will in many cases be the first non-specific sign indicating that the animal is not well. The inner ear can only be viewed when the animal is examined. Hearing is also a sense that is directly linked to the brain. The nostrils represent the start of the respiratory system. Livestock normally only breathe through their noses. The nose can also show non-specific signs when the whole body is affected as in the case of fever. The mouth is the start of the digestive system. Signs of disease can be caused by lesions in the mouth or lower down in the digestive system up to the big stomach. Most of the problems inside the mouth can only be viewed when the mouth is opened during examination of the animal.

The first step in reporting observations is just to make a cross over the affected areas on the Daily Observation Card (DOC).

Observation of the first signs of disease will not be missed if a livestock worker uses a structured observation system Severe production loss will occur if the first signs of disease are missed or no action was taken after the observation. Head up Head down Stands alone Head down Stays behind Head down Lies down Behaviour Behaviour Behaviour Behaviour Clean, clear and dry Clean Eyes Mouth Ears Nose Alert Clean Wet Smooth Tears Clean Eyes Mouth Ears Nose Slower movement Dry Watery clear discharge Discharge Slightly open Eyes Mouth Ears Nose Hang Slimy discharge with specks of yellow puss Crusty discharge Hangs open Froth Eyes Mouth Ears Nose Hanging Cracked Thick yellow puss discharge Start of Infection 1-2 Days later 3-4 Days later 5-6 Days later Normal Eating Chewing Breathing Normal Normal Drinking Normal Pneumonia Normal Less Chewing Less chewing the cud Eating Breathing Faster movement of the chest Much less Stops eating Laboured, Less using chest Stops chewing and ruminating Drinking of the cud Drinking Drinking abdomen Normal Less Stops 24 Hour window for early treatment First signs of disease Chewing Eating Breathing to breath out Chewing Eating Bacterial infection of the lungs Advanced signs of disease Breathing Struggles to breath in and out Very advanced signs and animal will die Observation in time Observation too late Observation far too late

Be very specific when signs of disease are observed. Kept tightly closed Tears White / blue White with pearl Eyelids swollen Hair loss around eyes Yellow discharge Bloody discharge Stay behind Stand alone Bellowing Eyes Hyper active Shaking head Head down Behaviour Ears Hang Slow movement Ticks in ear Bleeding Swelling below Flies around ear Pus discharge Brown wax discharge Hangs open Tongue hangs out Wounds on lips Lips swollen Salivation Froth Swelling of jaw Mouth Nose Dry Cracked Red or raw Wounds Bleeding from nostrils Watery discharge Slime discharge Swelling below jaw Yellow discharge

Click affected area Behaviour Eyes Ears Mouth Nose Click affected area Eyes Kept tightly closed Tears White / blue White with pearl Eyelids swollen Hair loss around eyes Yellow discharge Bloody discharge Own description Take a photo More information about this disease condition Eyes Own description Just one eye affected with some watery/bloody discharge. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 q w e r t y u i o p a s d f g h j k l z x c v b n m Eyes Take a photo Save Take more photos Back to main menu Finish

Report Behaviour Eyes Get pushed away Tears Kept tightly closed Ears Nose Mouth