Definition: acute infections, eruptive affection, usually of the
genitals, in cattle, transmitted by breeding, and marked by
congestion, papules, vesicles and pustules. Cause: infection by
coition; by contact, by gutter, by tail, by licking, in sucklings.
Oxen and non-pregnant cows suffer. Symptoms: incubation 1 to 6 days,
cows have swelling, red points, papules, vesicles and pustules on
vulvar mucosa and adjoining skin, with profuse glairy discharge, and
it may be fever: bull has matting of preputial hairs, frequent
micturition, swollen sheath, red penis, vesicles, even necrotic ulcers
and distortion. Immunization short, uncertain. Treatment as in horse.
Prevention: seclusion and disinfection of animals, disinfection of
stalls, gutters, rubbing posts, trees, complete segregation of sick
from healthy.
_Definition._ An acute eruptive affection, attacking particularly the
generative organs of breeding cattle, manifested by congestion, papules,
vesicles and pustules of the mucosa and skin and transmitted largely by
copulation.
_Causes._ The one known cause is infection and the most common mode of
communicating it is by the generative act. In this it agrees with the
mild coital exanthema of horses, and the two affections have been
considered as identical with each other and with cowpox (Trasbot). The
similarity of the symptoms and the duration of the disease sustain this
view, but, if correct, it is probable that the affection has undergone a
distinct modification which adapts the microbe especially to life in the
genital canal, and to the maintenance of its virulence for a longer
period, and finally, robs it of the power of producing any permanent
immunity. Cowpox, though raised on the lips of the vulva, the inner side
of the thighs and the abdomen where it can be easily reached by the tail
does not tend to implicate the genital canal, and it so quickly secures
immunity, that neither male nor female would be likely to long convey
the disease. Yet in both horses and cattle experience shows that the
acquired immunity of vesicular exanthema is very short lived.
Cattle, much more than horses, are liable to transmission of the disease
by other channels than coition. Contact with the same soiled stall and
gutter, the direct transference to adjoining animals by the soiled tail,
and the greater frequency with which they lick themselves and others
doubtless contribute to this. The frequency of non-coital infection is
shown in Numann’s cases affecting the anus and sheath in oxen; also in
Fenner’s long list of cases in 669 non-pregnant cows, in a number of
cows in advanced pregnancy and in calves of a few weeks old (Friedberger
and Fröhner).
_Symptoms. In Cows._ After an incubation of one to six, (or
exceptionally ten) days, there occur swelling and redness of the lips of
the vulva, and the vaginal mucosa with here and there dark red points,
and an abundant clear, glairy discharge. The red points may become firm
and papular, and an exudate beneath the epithelium transforms them into
vesicles at first translucent but later yellow or brown as pus cells
accumulate. The clear mucous discharge meanwhile becomes opaque and, as
the pustules open, forming sores, yellowish and purulent. This discharge
soils the tails and hips, drains out on the back part of the stall and
the gutters and is carried by the tail to the udder and to other stock.
Itching may be severe and the constant rubbing and switching of the
tail, may irritate the sores and cause them to deepen or extend, beside
favoring septic infection and local necrotic processes. In such cases
there may be more or less fever, impairment of appetite, rumination and
digestion, and of the secretion of milk. Abortion is not unknown though
exceptional.
_Symptoms. In Bull._ The matting together of the long hairs of the
prepuce may be the first indication of the disease, attended or followed
by frequent micturition, or by standing with the tail raised and the
accelerator urinæ pulsating over the ischiatic arch as if passing urine.
The sheath appears swollen, the penis red granular, and angry, with red
spots, and even the scrotum may be involved in the enlargement. The red
points advance as in the female through the different forms of papule,
vesicle and pustule to the formation of sores which are more or less red
and angry. There may be an indisposition or even inability to protract
the penis, and the bull may be tardy to serve, or in case the organ is
erected and used, blood may ooze from the respective sores. The disease
usually lasts about two weeks, but may recur a few weeks later in
connection with a new infection. In aggravated and prolonged cases there
may be local septic and necrotic processes, and general fever and
digestive disturbances. Distortions of the penis may render the subject
permanently useless as a sire.
_Treatment_ is essentially the same as in the horse. Antiseptic and
astringent solutions (sulphate of zinc, iron or copper (2:100), nitrate
of silver, carbolic acid, corrosive sublimate, lysol, creolin, etc.) may
be used to advantage. Laxatives and diuretics may be called for.
_Prevention._ This would require the temporary seclusion and final
disinfection of all animals attacked, the thorough cleansing and
disinfection of the stalls and gutters, as well as all posts, trees and
fences on which the animals rub themselves. The attendants should use no
combs, brushes, sponges nor rubbers indiscriminately on the sick and
healthy. They should disinfect their hands and, if necessary, their
clothes after having handled the sick and before handling or milking
sound animals. An obvious precaution is to place the sick and healthy in
separate buildings and yards.