What is Disease?
What is a general definition of disease?
A condition that impairs normal function in animals.
What are the four main types of pathogenic microorganisms?
Viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites.
What is grass tetany caused by?
Low levels of magnesium or calcium in grazing cattle.
Why do livestock rarely eat poisonous plants?
They avoid them unless forced to by hunger.
What are the three main causes of disease?
Pathogens, toxins, and nutrient deficiencies
Name two common general symptoms of disease.
Droopiness and loss of appetite
What is the most successful method for controlling viral diseases?
Preventive vaccinations.
What is a visible symptom of goiter in pigs?
Enlarged thyroid gland.
Name a mycotoxin found in moldy corn and its effect on horses.
Fumonisin; causes neurological conditions, blindness, and death.
How do bacteria typically spread on pasture grass?
Infected manure contaminates the grass, which is then consumed
What is a lesion? Provide one example.
Severe damage to tissues or organs; e.g., abscess i
What is a zoonotic disease?
A disease transmitted from animals to humans.
What causes urinary calculi, or "water belly," in cattle?
High levels of phosphorus in high-grain diets
What type of livestock is most impacted by copper toxicity?
Goats.
What type of disease is caused by defects in body systems due to genetic issues or toxins?
Physiological diseases
Besides pathogens, name two non-infectious causes of disease?
Nutrient deficiencies and toxins.
Name a reportable disease that poses a major economic threat to agriculture.
Mad cow disease (bovine spongiform encephalopathy).
What are two common symptoms of rickets in livestock?
Swollen joints and visibly bowed legs
What are endophytes, and how do they affect equines?
Molds living in plants (e.g., ryegrass); produce mycotoxins toxic to equines.
What is an example of a highly contagious but not reportable disease in livestock?
Ringwork
Why is infection not always associated with disease?
Some infections do not cause harm or symptoms in the host animal.
Describe two ways infectious diseases spread through indirect contact.
Contaminated surfaces (equipment, feed, water) and airborne microbes.
How can sulfur and iron cause a copper deficiency, even with copper supplements?
Sulfur and iron limit copper availability during digestion.
What genetic disorder causes cows to have only one claw on a foot?
Syndactyly (Mule Foot).
Why are viral diseases difficult to control compared to bacterial infections?
Why are viral diseases difficult to control compared to bacterial infections?