I have found a couple web sites that explain the diseases currently being discussed on the BB digest that give a explanation. For tetanus in horses there is a short explanation at http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/livestock/horses/facts/info_tetanus.htm. The tetanus bacteria is what manifests the disease lockjaw. It is recommended that humans get vaccinated for tetanus every 10 years.
Blackleg is an infectious, usually fatal bacterial disease of cattle and sometimes of sheep, goats, and swine, caused by Clostridium chauvoe and characterized by gas-containing swellings in the musculature. Both of these diseases (tetanus and blackleg) are preventable with vaccines. Also Barb Lee mentioned that one of her wethers developed sheath rot and I found a good explanation for this at http://cahe.nmsu.edu/sheep/sheep_health/sheath_rot.html Sheath rot is caused by a bacterium and urea reaction from the urine. The reaction causes irritation of the prepuce. Sheath rot primarily occurs in rams on high-protein rations. Control of sheath rot consists of changing the ration. To reduce the potential for sheath rot, sheep can be grazed on dry grass pastures or fed a grass hay in a drylot. External lesions associated with sheath rot can be treated with one part copper sulfate and eight parts of petroleum jelly, or with antibiotic ointments. -- Cathy Mayton LeapN Lambs Winnemucca, NV _______________________________________________ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
