Johne's disease

Veterinary advice should be sought before applying any treatment or vaccine.

Johne's Disease

Paratuberculosis

Johne's disease, also referred to as paratuberculosis, is a contagious disease that affects ruminant species worldwide, particularly dairy cows. It is caused by infection with Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP). Most animals are infected the first couple months of life, however don't develop clinical signs until they are adults.

Transmission
Infected cattle shed the bacterium in their feces, colostrum, and milk. Young, more susceptible calves become infected through ingestion of contaminated feed, water, pasture grass, colostrum, or milk.

Symptoms

Rapid weight loss
Diarrhea
Drop in milk production

Diagnosis

  • History
  • Clinical signs
  • Culture of fecal sample
  • Direct PCR

Treatment


Antimicrobial therapy

Prevention

  • Biosecurity
  • Only purchase animals from herds that test for Johne's disease and can confirm stock is not infected

Article Reference

Risk Factors

Etiology

  • Mycobacterium avium

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