FMD

Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) is a highly contagious viral disease affecting cloven-hoofed

animals, including cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs. It is caused by the Foot-and-Mouth Disease
Virus (FMDV). The disease spreads rapidly through direct contact, aerosols, and contaminated
feed or equipment, leading to severe economic losses in livestock industries.

Symptoms

Symptoms of FMD include fever, excessive salivation, and the formation of vesicles (blisters)
on the tongue, gums, feet, and teats. Affected animals exhibit lameness, reluctance to move,
and decreased milk production. The ruptured blisters cause painful ulcers, making it difficult
for the animals to eat or walk.

Causes

FMD is caused by the Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus, which has seven serotypes (O, A, C,
Asia 1, SAT 1, SAT 2, SAT 3). The virus spreads through direct animal contact, respiratory
aerosols, contaminated feed, water, and fomites like farm equipment and clothing. Windborne
transmission can also occur over long distances, particularly in humid conditions.

Clinical Diagnosis

Clinical diagnosis is based on characteristic signs such as fever, drooling, and vesicular lesions.
Laboratory tests like virus isolation, RT-PCR, ELISA, and complement fixation tests confirm
the presence of FMDV.

Treatment

There is no specific treatment for FMD, but supportive care, including pain management, soft
feeding, and antiseptic application to ulcers, helps relieve symptoms. Vaccination is the primary
method of prevention, with periodic booster doses needed due to antigenic variation among
serotypes. Strict biosecurity measures, movement control, and culling of infected animals help
contain outbreaks.
 Milk Fever
Milk fever, also known as parturient paresis, is a metabolic disorder in dairy cows caused by
low blood calcium levels (hypocalcemia) around calving. It primarily affects high-yielding
cows within 24–72 hours after giving birth, leading to significant economic losses due to
decreased milk production and increased susceptibility to other diseases.

Symptoms

Symptoms include muscle tremors, weakness, loss of appetite, and cold ears in the early stages.
As the condition worsens, cows may lie down with a tucked-in head, become unresponsive,
and develop severe paralysis, eventually leading to coma or death if untreated. Affected cows
often struggle to stand and exhibit a "staggering" gait before collapsing.

Causes

Milk fever is caused by a sudden drop in blood calcium levels due to the high calcium demand
for milk production. The inability of the cow’s body to mobilize calcium quickly from bones
or absorb it from the diet contributes to the condition. Factors such as age, breed (Jersey cows
are more susceptible), and dietary imbalances play a crucial role in its occurrence.

Clinical Diagnosis

Clinical diagnosis is based on history, characteristic signs, and response to calcium therapy.
Blood tests measuring calcium levels confirm hypocalcemia. Differential diagnoses include
toxic mastitis, ketosis, and downer cow syndrome, requiring careful examination to distinguish
between conditions.

Treatment

Treatment involves the slow intravenous administration of calcium borogluconate, which

rapidly restores normal calcium levels. Oral or subcutaneous calcium supplements may be
given to prevent relapses. Preventive strategies include dietary calcium restrict ion before
calving, supplementing with vitamin D, and ensuring an adequate balance of calcium,
phosphorus, and magnesium in the diet.
 Rabies
Rabies is a fatal viral disease that affects the central nervous system of mammals, including
humans and animals. It is caused by the rabies virus (RABV). The disease is primarily
transmitted through the saliva of infected animals via bites, scratches, or open wounds, and
once clinical symptoms appear, it is almost always fatal.

Symptoms

Symptoms of rabies in animals progress through behavioral changes such as aggression,

restlessness, and excessive salivation (the "foaming at the mouth" appearance). As the disease
advances, animals experience paralysis, difficulty swallowing, and uncoordinated movements,
leading to coma and death. Rabies presents in two forms: furious rabies, characterized by
aggression and hyperactivity, and dumb rabies, where the animal becomes lethargic and
paralyzed.

Causes

Rabies is caused by the rabies virus, which spreads from the bite site to the nervous system,
traveling through the nerves to the brain. Wild animals such as bats, foxes, raccoons, and stray
dogs are common reservoirs. The virus is shed in saliva, making bites the primary transmission
route. In regions with poor vaccination coverage, stray dogs are the leading source of
transmission to humans and livestock.

Clinical Diagnosis

Clinical diagnosis is challenging in live animals, as symptoms resemble other neurological

diseases. Postmortem tests, such as the direct fluorescent antibody (DFA) test on brain tissue,
confirm rabies. Other laboratory methods include PCR and virus isolation, but there is no
antemortem test that provides a definitive diagnosis in animals.

Treatment

There is no cure for rabies once symptoms appear, making vaccination the only effective
preventive measure. Regular vaccination of pets and livestock, stray animal control, and
public awareness campaigns help prevent outbreaks. In suspected rabid animal bites,
immediate post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), including wound cleaning and rabies
vaccination, is crucial for preventing the disease in humans.
 WTO
The World Trade Organization (WTO) plays a crucial role in regulating international trade
in veterinary medicine, ensuring that animal health standards do not become barriers to trade.
The Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Agreement, established under WTO, sets guidelines
for member countries to implement science-based measures to protect human and animal health
while facilitating fair trade in livestock, animal products, and veterinary pharmaceuticals.

In veterinary medicine, WTO influences policies on disease control, food safety, and trade
restrictions related to animal health. It collaborates with the World Organisation for Animal
Health (WOAH, formerly OIE) to establish international standards for disease prevention,
vaccination, and the movement of animals and animal products. Countries must justify trade
restrictions based on scientific risk assessments rather than arbitrary bans.
WTO regulations impact the trade of veterinary drugs, vaccines, and diagnostic tools by
ensuring they meet safety and efficacy standards. Member nations are encouraged to align their
veterinary policies with Codex Alimentarius guidelines to avoid disputes over drug residues
and food safety concerns. Disputes related to veterinary trade, such as bans on meat imports
due to disease outbreaks, are resolved through WTO’s dispute settlement mechanism.

For developing countries, WTO provides technical assistance to enhance veterinary

infrastructure and disease surveillance, helping them comply with international trade standards.
It promotes transparency in disease reporting and encourages harmonization of veterinary
health regulations to support global trade while preventing the spread of zoonotic diseases and
antimicrobial resistance.
 Drug Residues
Drug residues refer to the traces of pharmaceuticals, such as antibiotics, antiparasitic, and
growth promoters, that remain in animal tissues, milk, eggs, or honey after treatment. These
residues can persist due to improper withdrawal periods, excessive dosing, or the use of
unapproved drugs, posing risks to human health and food safety.

Excessive drug residues in animal-derived food products can lead to antimicrobial resistance
(AMR), allergic reactions, and toxicity in consumers. Regulatory agencies like the Codex
Alimentarius, WHO, World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) (formerly OIE,
Office International des Epizooties), and national food safety authorities establish
Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) to ensure safe levels of drug residues in food.

To prevent harmful residues, strict adherence to withdrawal periods, proper drug usage, and
residue monitoring programs are essential. Veterinary professionals must ensure compliance
with regulations to protect public health and maintain international trade standards for animal
products.