A CASE OF HEMORRHAGIC SEPTICEMIA IN A LACTATING HOLSTEIN-FRIESIAN X JERSEY COW.

Hemorrhagic septicemia is a highly fatal, acute septicemic disease in buffaloes and cattle caused by Pasteurella multocida (Shivachandra, et al., 2008). A lactating non-pregnant 2-year old Holstein-Friesian x Jersey imported cow weighing 423 kg (BCS 3/5) was observed to be exhibiting tachypnea, hyper salivation, and edema on the neck and thorax on October 9, 2017. As hypocalcemia or acidosis was suspected, medication and prescription given were according to these two metabolic disorders. On October 20, 2017, a blood sample was collected which resulted in a positive Pasteurella multocida antibody ELISA test. Long-acting oxytetracycline (200 mg/mL) was injected IM once the following day. On October 24, the patient exhibited nasal flaring with clear discharge, frothy tachypnea, pyrexia, sunken orbits, and dullness while standing. Medication and prescription given were 10% marbofloxacin (2 mg/kg) IM once daily for three days and tolfenamic acid (2mg/kg) IM once. Unfortunately, the cow died the following morning. Upon necropsy, the significant gross lesions were neck and brisket swelling, lung consolidation, pneumonia, and petechial hemorrhages on the heart. This disease could have been prevented through vaccination and strict biosecurity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]