An Outbreak of Hyena Disease on a Calf Breeding Farm

Abstract

A total of 19 cases of hyena disease occurred on a calf beeding farm at Shiga Prefecture from June, 1984 to May, 1986. Clinically, they showed a marked growth retardation in the hindguarters and a disturbance of locomotion which became apparent at five months of age. Autopsy of the 5 casres revealed shortening of the long bones. The epiphyseal cartilage of the shortened long bones was partially deformed and fading. Histologically, chondrocytes in the growth plates decreased in number and showed an abnormal arrangement. Serological tests carried out on 14 of the 19 cases of hyena disease and apparently normal 5 cattle on the same farm revealed no definite relationship between the occurrence of the disease and infections with bovine vial diarrhea-mucosal disease virus, infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus, parainfluenza 3 virus and bovine adenovirus serotype 7. Biochemically, the serum level of iron increased, and in the affected bones, the Ca level decreased, while the P level increased.