Controlling johnes disease video 6
What is it?
Johnes disease is a chronic disease affecting herds causing a range of symptoms and having a massive impact on production and performance.
It is caused by a bacteria called MAP (mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis). This bacteria will be ingested by young animals, typically calves and lie dormant for years. We typically don’t see the symptoms of the disease before two years of age.
It is usually brought into herds by infected animals that are not showing any symptoms. Personally I feel there is a huge value for farms to know their johnes status when selling animals. Also, this must be a question more farmers need to be asking when purchasing stock.
What are the symptoms?
We must remember johnes disease is a chronic disease meaning that it progresses slowly even after calves being infected or ingesting the bacteria. Some older infected animals will show no symptoms but will still be shedding continuing the cycle on the farm.
The typical symptoms we see with johnes are scouring, reduced feed efficiency and weight loss. This happens because the bacteria when it activates in the lower gut causes intestinal swelling and this leads to poor absorption of nutrients.
This then leads to scouring and weight loss. These animals are a really big source of infection for other animals especially calves.
How is it spread
An animal positive for johnes will spread the bacteria in three ways
- In faeces in huge numbers which is the biggest risk
- In colostrum to young calves and also in milk
- They may infect their unborn calf in the womb also
The young animals will typically ingest the bacteria in faeces or maybe colostrum. It will then go to the intestine where it will almost go into hibernation. In this state it also isn’t picked up by the immune system making testing impossible.
It begins to reactivate in animals as they get older (usually in animals >2 years old).
This continues the cycle with some showing symptoms as the disease progresses and also beginning shedding.
It can have a massive impact on profit and performance.
There are two critical elements to control, testing with a subsequent culling policy and controlling the spread on the farm (reducing the risk).
How can we test for it?
There are two main ways to test for johnes in milk or by blood sampling. With both these tests, we are checking for antibodies to the disease. This means that animals under two years of age are not tested as they may have been exposed but will be showing no evidence of the disease.
We also can use faecal testing to isolate the bacteria itself to confirm blood or milk test results.
Watch the VIDEO above as I outline the key elements of testing and why with a chronic disease like johnes testing must be carried out over a number of years to establish the status of the herd.
When we identify johnes positive animals then we must start working on appropriate culling policy depending on numbers.
Controlling the risk
If we know the main spread is particularly by faeces, then milk and possibly in the womb to calves. We must work hard to reduce the risk of spread. Firstly with testing, we can identify the positive cows and take very specific risk management with them around calving.
When we have johnes in our herds all these risks still need to be minimised for all stock.
For dairy calves, this is by snatch calving and avoiding things like pooling colostrum.
In the VIDEO above I outline why we need to get serious about johnes disease and its spread. Focus heavily on regular yearly tests (60 days must be left for testing after tb testing) and culling policies. Then work hard on reducing the spread within the herd.
Thought for the day
In very serious and challenging times we must not forget our sense of fun. Life can be challenging at the best of times so don’t forget to make time for a laugh.
It is apparently the best medicine.
If people feel I can help them in any way my email is info@tommythevet.ie
Big thanks to Nettex for their support in helping me make #50in50 happen http://www.net-tex.co.uk
Happy safe farming