Basic Knowledge - Bacteria

Bacteria

It is not enough to be able to recognise and diagnose when one of your animals is sick or injured, it helps to know why and the probable cause. With an injury it is usually obvious, eg, your cow has cut herself on a barbed-wire fence. But why then does she have swelling and pus exuding from the cut after treatment ? The cause is a microscopic creature known as Bacteria. These are responsible for many ailments affecting your stock and so it pays to know something about them. Bacteria are :

• Self-contained units of life causing many diseases and illnesses. Some are beneficial as in Rumen bacteria but others harmful. It is not the bacteria themselves that cause the problem but their waste products which are toxic to the system.
• Bacteria are not to be confused with Mycoplasma [A smaller form] or a Virus.
• They come in many shapes and sizes but all are a single cell with a cell wall [Thick outer structure], within which is a protein membrane, enclosed within the membrane is the Cytoplasm [Responsible for metabolism, nutrients are absorbed through this and waste products excreted back out. The waste and toxins produced cause the adverse effects] and Nuclear Material [Contains the DNA and Genetic components essential for growth].
• They cause diseases such as Tetanus, Blackleg [Clostridial - usually soil-borne] and are a major cause of Mastitis. They also damage with infections that cause pus and with calves, pain and stress with Navel-ill, Diptheria, Joint-ill, Scours and many others.
• It is vitally important because of this that for calves, cleanliness and disinfection, allied with regular clean dry bedding and disposal of waste and by-products is adhered to.
• Bacteria are able to survive from seconds to many years. They have certain basic needs and the ideal conditions for survival are Warmth, Nutrients and Moisture.

Bacteria - Habitat

It will be seen by now that perfect conditions are :

• Bedding - Keep it fresh and dry, muck out when required. Don't allow layers to build up as they can harbour different types of bacteria, cause high humidity and repiratory infections. Apart from that excess damp bedding can lead to ammonia build-up, harmful to both cows and carers.
• Feed - Keep it dry and free from muck, etc. If feed gets damp there is a possibility of moulds and fungal spoilage. Avoid vermin contamination, even birds, and it is a false economy to use the cheapest
• Udder - Teats are a natural access point and Bacteria have all they need to survive here [Warmth, Nutrients and Moisture]. Attention to detail here is imperative ! Any injury or teat-end damage should be treated instantly, remember, cleanliness is next to godliness !
  

 

Bacteria - Types