Neonatal Infections in Animals

Neonatal infections in animals is common cause of mortality in neonates especially by bacterial and viral infection.

Neonatal death mostly caused by enteric and respiratory infection.

Source of Infection

• Prenatal infection: In utero – Placental transfer – Cause Placentitis – abortion.
• Post natal infection: Acquired from – Dam, Environment and close contact with other infected neonates.

Route of Infection

• Aerosal – Nasopharenynx Oral – Ingestions
• Umbilicus – Unhygienic umbilicus

Pathogenesis

• Infection – Oral/nasal – bacteremia – septicemia
• In chronic infection – infective organisms localized in the organs and cause following conditions:
  • Joints – Supportive/non- supportive arthritis – Joint ill – Lambs/ kids
  • Eye – Panophthalamitis (pus in anterior chamber) – Kids
  • Heart – Valvular endocarditits – FMD (Calf) & Parvo (pups)
  • Meninges – Meningitis – Listeria – Lambs/ Kids

Clinical Signs

The clinical signs depend on the organism and localisation of the infectious agents in the neonates.

• Dull
• Lethargic
• Unwillingness to suck
• Fever
• Anorexia
• Cardiac murmur
• Lameness, swollen joints
• Dehydration
• Rigidity of limbs, convulsion
• Coma & death

Diagnosis

• History & clinical signs
• Laboratory – WBC & DLC count (i.e. Leukocytosis and neutrophilia)
• Blood culture
• Serum immunoglobulin concentration
• Arterial O₂ level

Treatment

• Culture and sensitivity of the blood/ infection – provide selection of antibiotic
• Fluid and electrolyte therapy
• Correction of acid base imbalance

Control

• Timely provision of Colostrum to neonates.
• Reduction of risk of acquired infection from environment, i.e Hygienic farm practice.
• Removal of the new born from the infected environment.
• Increasing and maintaining the non-specific resistance of the new born.
• Increasing the specific resistance of the new born through vaccine.