Diagnostic and therapeutic strategy for Clostridium perfringens infection in postpartum dairy cows: a report of 14 cases

Clostridium perfringens type A infections are economically devastating to dairy farms. In spite of low morbidity, mortality is close to 100%. Although this disease has frequently been reported in calves, it is rarely seen in adult cattle, especially postpartum dairy cows. Sudden onset of symptoms, rapidly followed by death, was successively recorded in 14 postpartum dairy cows. Veterinary treatment was ineffective. The 14 cows fell ill after parturition, either within 24 h (fast invasion) or within 2-3 days (slow invasion). All the cows died shortly after symptom onset. Comprehensive analysis of epidemiology, clinical manifestation, autopsy results, and laboratory tests confirmed the 14 cases as most acute and acute C. perfringens type A infections. After the enactment of appropriate preventive and treatment measures, in conjunction with improved feeding management, no further symptoms of infection were observed in the postpartum cows. Our results demonstrated that autopsies and laboratory tests are required for the definitive diagnosis of this disease and highlighted importance of feeding management during the early perinatal period to prevent postpartum diseases in cows. This work also provides a reference for clinical veterinary diagnosis and the treatment of this disease, so as to reduce the economic losses of dairy farms.