Subscribe to our print & digital magazines now

We're social. Connect with us on:

Dr. Ashwani Kumar, Vet Expert, GADVASU said that many of the affected animals can be managed or cured with commercially available antipyretics such as vetalgin, meloxicam, ketoprofen, etc.

Lumpy skin disease (LSD) that has created havoc in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Punjab, and a few other states is a viral disease caused by Capripoxvirus. It is basically transmitted by arthropod vectors like mosquitoes, biting flies, and ticks. The disease mainly occurs in cows and sometimes in buffaloes.

Dr. Ashwani Kumar, Head of Department, Veterinary Medicine, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU), Ludhiana informed that the disease is characterized initially by fever followed by the development of cutaneous nodules (2-5 cm) all over the body. In some animals, lesions might involve the mouth, pharynx & respiratory tract, and cause pneumonia, enlarged lymph nodes, edema of limbs or brisket region.

He said many infected animals usually recover but there is a reduction in milk yield in lactating cows for several weeks. The morbidity rate is usually upto 50 percent and the mortality rate is usually around 1-5 percent. The disease is not zoonotic (not spread to human beings), and hence milk is safe for human consumption following pasteurization/ boiling.

The government on July 26 issued an official notification to impose restrictions on the transportation of cattle and holding of…

Dr. Ashwani shared important tips for the treatment of lumpy skin disease. He said that many of the affected animals can be managed or cured with commercially available antipyretics such as vetalgin, meloxicam, ketoprofen etc. However, if fever persists or the animal shows nasal discharge/ respiratory signs, antibiotics like ceftiofur, enrofloxacin, or sulphonamides are administered to check for secondary infection.

Moreover, the application of antiseptic ointment with fly-repellent properties can be applied over the skin. Affected animals must be treated at the farm itself; they should not be transported to hospitals or polyclinics, as high fever or hyperthermia often develops in these animals because of high environmental temperature and humidity.

He also described some prevention measures. Don’t purchase/ enter new animals into your herd during this outbreak period. Restrict animal movement, and abstain from the participation of your animals in cattle fairs, shows etc. Make efforts to minimize vector populations (ticks, flies, mosquitoes, fleas, midges) at your farm. Vaccinate all healthy animals of your herd with LSD /Goat Pox Vaccine as per manufacturing company’s guidelines.

Dear patron, thank you for being our reader. Readers like you are an inspiration for us to move Agri Journalism forward. We need your support to keep delivering quality Agri Journalism and reach the farmers and people in every corner of rural India. Every contribution is valuable for our future.

We're on WhatsApp! Join our WhatsApp group and get the most important updates you need. Daily.

Subscribe to our Newsletter. You choose the topics of your interest and we'll send you handpicked news and latest updates based on your choice.

Subscribe to our Newsletter. You choose the topics of your interest and we'll send you handpicked news and latest updates based on your choice.