Re: Australia: Cattle struck by mystery disease
Cattle Deaths with Drooling and Diarrhoea
(3D) Syndrome
Information for vets
January 2014
A syndrome with the key signs of drooling and diarrhoea leading to death has been reported by graziers in
the Mossgiel/Hay/Ivanhoe area of NSW. While cattle of all ages have been affected, calves appear to be
worst affected. Cases were first reported in 2006 and again in 2009 and 2013. Combined losses across all
properties where disease is known to have occurred is in the hundreds.
Samples have been tested for exotic viruses and all tests have been negative. At this stage the cause of
disease has not been identified. Work is continuing to determine the cause.
Further investigations of cattle with signs consistent with the 3D syndrome are important to understand the
extent of the problem and to assist in determining the cause. This factsheet provides information for
veterinarians on the 3D syndrome.
On affected properties, owners have reported:
• Mild illness initially- “off colour”
• Off feed
• Prefer to lie down
• Noisy breathing
• Drooling
• Diarrhoea
• Some weight loss
• Gait and stance changes sometimes reported
• Deaths- generally 1-5 days after first noting sick; some longer
• Nearly all affected died
• Generally little struggling prior to death
• Stock in good condition
• Cattle feel hot and if temperature measured, increased (41-42°C)
• Cattle affected- all ages with calves most commonly affected
Clinical signs
• Mild illness initially – “0ff-colour”
• Fever (41-42°C)
• Off feed
• Preferred to lie down
• Drooling common (mild to long strings)
• Respiration- increased rate and depth
• Diarrhoea common (mild to bloody)
• Serous or mucoid nasal discharge
• Some weight loss
• Deaths- generally 1-5 days after first noting sick; some longer. Progression initially slow then rapid
deterioration, recumbency and death.
• Generally little struggling prior to death
• Stock in good condition
• Cattle feel hot and if temperature measured, increased (41-42°C)
Epidemiology
• Cases were seen in 2006, 2009 and 2013. Some properties were affected in one year while other
properties have had cases in 2 of the 3 years
• Good rains in June with heat wave conditions in November-January
• Cases first seen in November (2006 and 2013) and December (2009). Cases continue to occur for
around 2 months.
Cattle affected
• All ages have been affected
• Higher morbidity in calves
• Very high case fatality rate (95-100%)
• On affected properties, disease may only be seen in one mob.
• Generally homebred animals though disease seen in one introduced mob.
...
Clinical pathology
Findings in affected cattle and cattle from mobs where disease have been observed include:
• Elevated creatinine kinase- mild elevation though often animals recumbent
• Lymphopaenia- mild reduction though this could be a stress lymphopaenia
• Packed Cell Volume, Total Plasma Protein and Total Serum Protein generally normal or occasionally
slightly elevated (clinically despite elevated temperature, animals assessed of normal hydration
statuses).
Autopsy findings
• Oesophagus- often increased diameter with oedema and occasionally haemorrhages on the serosal
surface. Mucosa-erosions, haemorrhages and congestion in severe cases extending the entire length.
• Large intestine- congestion, haemorrhage, ulceration and fibrin casts have been observed in some
animals.
• slowly-clotting (or non-clotting) blood
...
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/as...hs_drooling_diarrhoea_factsheet_vets_info.pdf
