Epizootic of concurrent cutaneous streptococcal abscesses and swinepox in a herd of swine.

Concurrent cutaneous abscesses and swinepox were observed in a herd of swine. An ungroupable hemolytic streptococcus was isolated from the abscesses. Tests indicated that streptococci isolated from different swine were similar if not identical. Swinepox lesions were observed on swine only after weaning. Lice (Haematopinus suis) were numerous on the suckling and weaned swine and appeared to be resistant to lindane. Abscesses, swinepox, and lice were eliminated after the swine were treated with an organic phosphate insecticide and antibacterial agents were added to the rations.     

Susceptibility of colostrum-deprived swine of various ages to streptococcic lymphadenitis

The effect of age on susceptibility of young pigs to streptococcic lymphadenitis was investigated. Twenty-nine cesarean-derived, colostrum-deprived pigs were allotted to 7 groups exposed to type IV group E Streptococcus (GES) at 5, 14, 28, 35, 56, 70, and 84 days of age. Four cesarean-derived, colostrum-deprived pigs were maintained as nonexposed controls. Six naturally farrowed, susceptible controls were exposed to GES at 63 to 84 days of age. All exposed pigs were killed and necropsied 28 days after exposure. Lesions of streptococcic lymphadenitis were not observed in pigs exposed at 5 or 14 days of age, except for 1 microabscess in a mandibular lymph node in a pig exposed at 14 days, but GES was recovered from 11% of lymph nodes examined from pigs of those age groups. Lesions and GES-positive lymph nodes were frequent in cesarean-derived, colostrum-deprived pigs exposed at 28 days and older and in susceptible controls. Serologic response to exposure, as determined by microtitration agglutination test and bactericidal test, was observed only in pigs exposed at 14 days and older. The absence of abscess development in pigs exposed at 5 or 14 days of age was not caused by antibody or failure of infecting organisms to reach the target organs.     

Caseous lymphadenitis in small ruminants.

Caseous lymphadenitis is a contagious bacterial disease that affects sheep and goats. It is characterized by abscess formation in the skin, internal and external lymph nodes, and internal organs. The causative agent is Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis. The disease can become endemic in a herd or flock and is difficult to eradicate by virtue of its poor response to therapeutics, its ability to persist in the environment, and the limitations in detecting subclinically affected animals. The disease causes significant economic impact on the small ruminant industry through decreased meat yield, damaged wool and leather, decreased reproductive efficiency, culling of affected animals, and mortality from the internal environment.     

Purulent pericarditis in a puppy

An eight-week-old female Cavalier King Charles spaniel was presented with tachypnoea, pyrexia and distended jugular veins following bite injuries to the chest and abdomen. Pericardial effusion was suspected from clinical, electrocardiographic and radiographic findings, and confirmed by echocardiography. Pericardiocentesis was carried out and the purulent fluid aspirated yielded Pasteurella multocida on culture. After drainage, broad spectrum antibiotic therapy was instituted and the puppy went on to make an excellent clinical recovery. Despite this, some hyperechoic areas of myocardium were observed on echocardiography and occasional ventricular premature complexes were seen on electrocardiography. These were probably the result of an associated myocarditis.     

Purulent osteomyelitis in fattening pigs

Purulent osteomyelitis caused by Arcanobacterium pyogenes was diagnosed in three pigs aged between 3 and 4 months by radiological and pathological findings. Osteomyelitis was localized in metaphysis and/or epiphysis of limb bones. The prevalence of osteomyelitis in swine seems to be underestimated because inspection of limb bones is not a routine procedure either at slaughter or at necropsy. Osteomyelitis may also have consequences for meat cutting. Osteomyelitis can be controlled by prophylactic procedures.