The disease occurs sporadically, and can be predisposed to by the eruption of teeth, rough feed such as straw, or the misuse of dosing guns as this provides an entry route for bacteria. The disease is caused by the fusobacterium necrophorum bacteria.

Symptoms

The main symptom associated with calf diphtheria is swelling of the tongue or cheek muscle. There is also likely to be a foul smelling odour from the mouth and there may be evidence of irregularly shaped oral ulcers. If the infection extends to the throat breathing and swallowing may be stopped, both of which can lead to death, if left untreated.

Treatment

Affected calves need to be separated from their comrades and they need antibiotic treatment. All feeding utensils such as buckets need to be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected to prevent the infection from spreading.

Prevention and control

Regular cleaning and disinfection of utensils used for feeding calves is essential. If calves are being dosed with oral treatments, be careful to avoid injury to the mouth.

Calf diphtheria: a bacterial infection of the mouth in bucket-fed calves

Calf diphtheria is a bacterial infection of the mouth in calves. It is generally associated with poor hygiene in housed bucket reared calves less than three months of age.