Bacterial Cattle Diseases

by Lauren Himes
October 2023

Bacterial Cattle Diseases is a valuable veterinary reference focused on the diagnosis, prevention, treatment, and control of bacterial diseases affecting cattle. Designed for veterinarians, veterinary students, livestock professionals, and researchers, this book provides practical knowledge for understanding important bacterial infections and their impact on cattle health and production.

The livestock sector globally is highly dynamic. In developing countries, it is evolving in response to rapidly increasing demand for livestock products. In developed countries, demand for livestock products is stagnating, while many production systems are increasing their efficiency and environmental sustainability. Historical changes in the demand for livestock products have been largely driven by human population growth, income growth and urbanization and the production response in different livestock systems has been associated with science and technology as well as increases in animal numbers. In the future, production will increasingly be affected by competition for natural resources, particularly land and water, competition between food and feed and by the need to operate in a carbon-constrained economy. Developments in breeding, nutrition and animal health will continue to contribute to increasing potential production and further efficiency and genetic gains. Cattle are the most common type of hooved production animal across the globe, with over 1 billion domesticated animals under our care. In different levels, they form a livelihood for families and create a stream of high-quality nutrition, through the beef and dairy sector. Keeping animals tends not to go perfectly all of the time. This creates the need for husbandry systems, balanced nutrition, pathogen control, and veterinary care to look after our cattle as well as we can. Understanding the interplay between these elements is essential for us to improve the care of our cattle even further.

This book aims to create a base for better-informed disease management options that advances our understanding of cattle disease and cattle health. Tuberculosis is an infectious, chronic or acute, localized or disseminated granulomatous disease that affects all animal species, caused by members of the genus mycobacteria. In cattle, the disease is caused by obligatory pathogenic and opportunistic species of mycobacteria and is transmitted between animals mainly through inhalation. It is a major public health concern and humans are infected chiefly through consumption of raw animal products.

This book will explore the etiology, epidemiology, pathogenesis, pathology, diagnosis, public health importance, and control of tuberculosis in cattle. It is expected that the book will be found useful by veterinary students, tutors, animal health service providers, and researchers.