Tuberculosis In Livestock

Article Tools

Image Gallery

Print

E-mail

Comments

RSS

Children should be taught the basic rules of hygiene early in life. The next time that your six-year-old runs and hides when a visiting aunt (or other relative) wants to plant a big juicy kiss, stick up for the kid. Also, if you must kiss a baby, place a dry kiss on the back of the neck. The baby will like it better and you won't be spreading your germs to the infant.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis, magnified 380 times, extracted from infected tissue.

Also, remember that TB is spread in handling pets, particularly exotic ones. Letting an animal lick your face, eat at the table with you, or eat out of your food dishes is playing with fire. Non-human primates can be particularly dangerous in this respect.

Whether you own one cow or a thousand, if your herd has not been TB tested regularly, according to your state or province schedule, make every effort to have it done. Give the testing veterinarian every bit of cooperation.

Testing is done by injecting a tiny amount of tuberculin into the skin of one tail fold, and the opposite vulvar lip, or, in the male, under the anus. Then, 72 hours later, the veterinarian must feel the injection site to be sure there is no swelling, which would indicate a reaction. Running a herd of heifers through a 12-foot gate, five at a time, while the veterinarian tries to check the injection site is not cooperation. If a reactor is missed, the next test may find your whole herd is infected.

If you drink the raw milk from one cow or goat, you have to make sure she is TB free. If you buy a cow or goat for family milk, insist on a negative TB test, and have her re-tested at least once a year just to be safe. If you are like me and feel that properly cared for raw milk simply tastes better than home pasteurized milk, ask your local veterinarian what other types of tests your cows or goats should have done. Even if you pasteurize your home milk supply, it should come from cattle and/or goats that are disease-free.

Lastly, goats, domestic deer, and llamas that have had contact with the cattle, goats, or sheep that you use for milk should be tuberculin tested. Once these animals are clean—if no exposure is encountered (such as contact with new animals or having your animals travel to shows)—testing every three years is probably often enough. However, it's a good idea to check with your local veterinarian. Most important, get that first test done!

RSS | Comments | E-mail | Print