What is Salmonellosis?

Salmonellosis in animals is a disease that occurs when animals become infected by salmonella bacteria. The disease has the potential to spread easily from animal to animal and all animals, both wild and a domestic, are at risk.

There are many different types of bacteria associated with salmonella. Some strains attach the intestinal tract causing severe diarrhea and potentially life-threatening dehydration and electrolyte imbalances while others tend to target joints etc. Some strains of Salmonella have the potential to cause abortions.

Generally, animals develop salmonella infections when their immune systems are low. For example, calves that do not receive adequate colostrum and animals suffering from stress are at risk from salmonella bacteria. Some animals are carriers of the disease and generally, carrier animals cannot be cured with antibiotics or other drugs.

Carrier animals spread the bacteria in their manure and other discharges. Contaminated footwear, clothing, vehicle tires, feed and water containers and other equipment are all capable of spreading the disease.

Prevention

Practicing prevention as opposed to treatment is critical and involves:

• Keeping pens, corrals, feeding and watering areas clean.
• Keeping natural resistance high
• Providing a low stress environment.
• Minimizing exposure to infectious organisms.
• Cleaning and disinfecting calving pens after each use.
• Keeping the newborn calves in a clean environment for a minimum of 12 hours.

What to do

The diagnosis of salmonellosis in a living animal is difficult because many other organisms besides Salmonella cause symptoms of diarrhea and pneumonia. Consult a veterinarian if salmonellosis is suspected.

Sick animals should be isolated to prevent the disease from spreading and reduce potential contamination of the general area. Infected calves should be isolated from pregnant cows as a precaution to prevent abortion.

To reduce pathogenic bacteria and accelerate the natural decomposition of the organic wastes, manure and bedding should be removed from pens and corrals and treated treated with CBPA.

Pens and corrals should then be treated with CBPA.

Utensils, feeders, pails, waterers, etc. should be thoroughly cleaned of all manure, debris, etc. and treated with CPBA.

Carcasses should be treated with CBPA to suppress pathogenic bacteria and ensure optimum degradation.