Clinical management of bovine actinomycosis in a Holstein Friesian cow: A case study

Actinomycosis in cattle is an infectious and chronic disease. Its etiology is Actinomyces bovis bacteria. This disease is also known as "lumpy jaw" due to characteristic granulomatous swelling in jaw of affected cow. It primarily affects the mandible, maxilla, and other bony tissues in the head, leading to localized, progressive abscesses and osteomyelitis. Horse, swine, and occasionally sheep, goats, and humans may be affected by this disease. The disease is sporadically seen in cattle above the age of 4 years. This disease has been reported from various parts of the India. The incidence of Actinomycosis in cattle is higher where animals are fed with straw, coarse feeds, sticks, thorns, or wire etc. These feeds injure the buccal mucosa and there by predisposing the cow to infection. The disease causes substantial economic loss to dairy farmers. Its successful treatment in cattle can be done by parenteral administration of Penicillin in combination with Streptomycin and oral administration of Potassium Iodide.