Septicaemia

SEPTICAEMIA, see Septicaemia. OF ANIMALS. Under this collective name is known a whole group of infectious diseases of various animals, characterized predominantly by acute febrile course, severe disturbance of the general condition, and hemorrhagic-inflammatory processes in internal organs. It occurs in the form of the so-called hemorrhagic septicaemia (septicaemia haemorrhagica) or pasteurellosis (see) of domestic and wild animals of various species. The causative agent of these diseases (see figure) bears the common name Bac. bipolaris septicus or Bac. plurisepticus (Pasteurella of French authors). Having common morphobiological basic properties, it in relation to virulence for different species of animals manifests itself differently, which is why the course of the disease and pathological changes in animals in pure culture.

differ in some peculiarities. Depending on the virulence of the microbe and on the degree of susceptibility of the infected animal, the disease manifests in various forms, namely: 1) lightning-fast form of the disease, characterized by high temperature, weakness of the heart, rapid exhaustion of strength, sometimes diarrhea and death within the first day; 2) acute form lasting several days and 3) chronic form, dragging on for weeks and even months. In the latter cases, the disease manifests as continuously increasing emaciation of the animal, significant fluctuations in temperature, inflammations in the area of joints, and a pronounced sensitivity to secondary infections. The most characteristic clinical picture of hemorrhagic septicaemia is in acute cases. In this case, in the carcasses of dead animals, numerous hemorrhages are found on the serous and mucous membranes, in parenchymatous organs and in the heart muscle, a sharp increase in lymph glands and only a small change in the volume of the spleen; in less acute course of the disease, to the indicated changes is added serofibrinous inflammation of the mucous and serous membranes; in chronic processes, purulent and necrotic foci develop in the lungs, liver and joints. In acute cases, bacteria multiply extremely rapidly in the infected organism, flooding the blood and organs.

Diagnosis of hemorrhagic septicaemia in living animals is often difficult due to the similarity of the clinical picture with some other infectious diseases observed in animals (anthrax, piroplasmosis, etc.). Characteristic pathological-anatomical changes facilitate recognition of the disease in carcasses. Bacteriological methods of research of the causative agent (see Pasteurellosis) allow rapid and accurate determination of the etiology of the disease. Prognosis-unfavorable, since usually hemorrhagic septicaemia leads to fatal outcome. Treatment and prevention-see Pasteurellosis. On hemorrhagic septicaemia of rabbits-see Pathology of laboratory animals. In relation to veterinary-sanitary measures, hemorrhagic septicaemia is subject to the general law of reporting about the disease. In this case, in unfavorable farms, appropriate measures of quarantineization, identification of sick animals (sick animals are usually slaughtered, except for especially valuable specimens), isolation of suspicious for disease and infection, specific prevention and thorough disinfection are taken. According to the 'Rules of veterinary-sanitary inspection of slaughter animals, research and rejection of meat products' (ed. NKZema RSFSR of May 15, 1931), in case of suspicion of hemorrhagic septicaemia, as well as of septicopyemia of various origins (complications of wounds and bruises, septic polyarthritis, metritis, mastitis, etc.), bacteriological research (see Meat) is required. The same 'Rules' of the People's Commissariat of Agriculture of the RSFSR prohibit for human consumption the carcasses of pigs with hemorrhagic septicaemia, as well as lard, offal, blood, heads and feet (all subject to disposal) in case of significant changes in muscles. Are considered conditionally suitable and subject to neutralization before release from slaughterhouses (boiling, salting or cooling in refrigerators) meat products in hemorrhagic septicaemia of pigs in the absence of significant changes in muscles, as well as in hemorrhagic septicaemia of cattle. Feeding to domestic animals of meat of dead animals or slaughtered in connection with hemorrhagic septicaemia is not allowed. The causative agent perishes in meat only with strong decomposition of the latter, with heating above 70° for at least 15 min. and with salting after 17½-2 months. Skins of animals that died from hemorrhagic septicaemia are easily disinfected by ordinary methods, after which they are released from slaughterhouses. a. metepkin.