Bovine Tuberculosis: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Bovine tuberculosis is an infectious disease that occurs in cattle and is primarily caused by Mycobacterium bovis. It is a zoonotic disease affecting the respiratory system of cattle. It affects domestic animals such as equines, sheep, goats, dogs, cats or pigs; and wild animal species such as antelopes, deer or boars. It is a source of infection for humans as well. The traces of bovine tuberculosis can be found in the lungs and throat of the affected cattle. The bacteria causing the disease are transmitted through the breath or discharge from mouth or nose of the affected cattle. The disease can spread in cattle through the placenta before birth, infected milk, and environmental contamination. The symptoms of bovine tuberculosis usually appear after months or years and include weakness, loss of appetite, weight-loss, intermittent hacking cough, and large prominent lymph nodes. There is no treatment available for this disease and the only way to be protected from this disease is through prevention. The other healthy members of the herd should not be exposed to the infected member. This book unravels the recent studies on the causes, symptoms and treatment of bovine tuberculosis. It will serve as a reference to a broad spectrum of readers.