Diagnosis and treatment of 7 cases of actinomycosis in Cervidae

Actinomycosis (Actinomycosis) is also called jaw disease (Lumpyaw). The pathogens of the disease are bovine actinomycetes (Actinomgcesbovis) and Actinobacillus Linnaeus (Actinobacillnslignieresi). It is a non-contact chronic infectious disease of domestic animals, wild animals and human beings, which often occurs in ruminants such as cattle, sheep and deer. The disease is characterized by actinomycetes lumps in the head, neck, subjaw and tongue, causing difficulty in breathing, swallowing and chewing in diseased animals. Rapid weight loss, skin suppuration and ulceration, the formation of fistula, long-term failure. From July 2000 to September 2002, actinomycosis occurred successively in 5 cases of sika deer and 2 cases of red deer in Xining Zoo. After treatment, except one case died, the other 6 were cured. The incidence, diagnosis and treatment are reported as follows.

1 at the beginning of July 2000, actinomycosis occurred successively in 5 adult sika deer (3 males and 2 females) and 2 red deer (all male) in Xining Zoo. Egg-sized lumps appeared in the lower jaw and left and right cheeks at the initial stage of the disease. Palpation is painful. Within a short period of time, the mass enlarged and became a small and solid lump. There was no pain on palpation, and the diseased deer had difficulty breathing, swallowing and chewing, and gradually lost weight. In one case, the mass ruptured and suppurated, discharged yellow-white pus, and extended to the cheek to form a fistula, and died after repeated treatment failure.

2 diagnosis scraped a little pus from the broken part of the deer mass, washed with water, found the sulfur-like particles the size of the needle tip, placed on the slide, dropped a drop of 15% potassium hydroxide solution, pressed tablets, Gram staining microscopic examination, found that the center of the bacteria was purple, there were radiant red hyphae around, combined with clinical symptoms, diagnosed as actinomycosis.

(3) in the treatment, the diseased deer was anesthetized with Mienning, cut open the lump, washed with 3% hydrogen peroxide, 5% iodine tincture and 1.6 million units of penicillin saline, filled with edible iodized salt, and injected 4.8 million units of penicillin intramuscularly. One week later, all the 6 cases were cured except 1 case died of fistula and enlargement of suppurative focus.

4 experience

4.1 actinomycetes exist in contaminated soil, feed and drinking water, and are parasitic in the oral cavity and upper respiratory tract of animals. when the mucous membrane and skin are damaged, actinomycetes can be infected and form specific swelling.

4.2 the occurrence of the disease is directly related to the damage of oral mucosa and skin. When animals change teeth or eat prickly feeds such as gramineous stems, wheat straw and barley ears, the mucosal damage causes the disease. The occurrence of deer actinomycosis in our garden may be related to feeding wheat straw and other feed.

4.3 in order to prevent the occurrence of this disease, we should pay attention to the hygiene of feed and drinking water, strengthen feeding management, and do a good job in sanitation and disinfection of enclosures, especially to prevent skin and mucous membrane damage. Timely treatment and treatment of the wound is of great significance in the prevention of this disease.

4.4 Bovine actinomycetes are sensitive to penicillin, erythromycin, chloramphenicol, tetracycline and lincomycin, so rational use of antibiotics can improve the cure rate of the disease.