Common Diseases of Yaks and Their Treatment Methods
As a standard cattle breed in the northwest region, yaks are raised by a very large number of farmers. Because the local environment is relatively harsh, diseases and the like are also discovered more frequently. Below are several common diseases for everyone to learn about in detail.
1. Yak colibacillosis
This is a disease caused by bacteria, most likely due to improper feeding. Because yaks cannot properly digest what they eat, colibacillosis appears, and within the following days various symptoms appear one after another. The obvious symptoms are diarrhea, listlessness, unsteady standing, and dull, shrunken hair. Since this type of bacteria mostly hides inside the yak's body and only causes disease at a suitable opportunity, treatment mainly relies on medication. Calves can be injected with the corresponding colibacillosis vaccine for prevention, and after onset, comprehensive treatment with antibiotics, compound coptis, and the like can be used.
2. Yak anthrax
This is a highly contagious disease that spreads very easily, so as soon as a sick yak is found it must be isolated immediately, and unaffected yaks should be given preventive treatment. This disease mostly occurs during hot and humid periods. Its excretions are also extremely infectious, so isolation in this respect must also be carried out promptly, along with disinfection. Currently the more commonly used drugs are anthrax serum or penicillin; for sick yaks both are needed, while for prevention it is enough to feed a suitable amount of penicillin.
3. Yak septicemia
This disease, caused by Brucella bacteria, is extremely harmful to yaks and is divided into acute and chronic types. Its main manifestation is abscesses throughout the body; the bacteria invade the whole body through the blood, causing pus to accumulate, after which swelling appears in some parts of the yak, and pressing these areas reveals the presence of pus. The first thing to do after onset is isolate to avoid contagion; next, treat with anti-Brucella serum together with antibiotics, and it is best to find a professional veterinarian.
4. Yak salmonellosis
This disease is a general term, mainly manifesting as typhoid, and simply as long-term diarrhea in yaks. If discovered early, isolation and treatment for a few days is usually enough; if discovered late and it has spread, then it becomes more troublesome, because the disease spreads from one to another and worsens the condition, making treatment slow. Once discovered, isolate immediately, then feed some oxytetracycline, and afterward check whether there are other problems, treating with multiple approaches at once.
The above are several common yak diseases. Everyone should do a good job of preventing these diseases to avoid unnecessary losses. If you want to learn more, you can follow our website's knowledge!