Actinomycosis in animals

Actinomycosis is an infection caused by a bacterium of the genus "Actinomyces", usually "Actinomyces bovis"; it can be categorized in three separate ways. When it is a moveable tumour or lump on the jaw area, it is referred to as lump jaw; when it spreads into the hard bone of the jaw, it is referred to as big jaw; and when it affects the tongue, it is referred to as wooden tongue. Although all three have different names and areas of infection, they are all caused by the same buildup of bacteria.
Actinomycosis in cattle.
Actinomycosis is a common condition in weaned calves, young bulls, and heifers. The disease has a chronic course, and the general condition can remain quite good. Swelling in the area of the maxilla and mandible occurs. Fistulisation occurs after some days, leaving a thick, yellowish, nonodorous pus, with mineralised, grains therein. Later on, a granuloma forms in the place of fistulisation. The bony lesions are followed by periostitis, with permanent deformation of the jaw bones.
Parts of the body other than the mouth area can be infected by "Actinomyces", which can cause lesions in the intestinal tract, lungs, and liver, as well, although rarely. The diagnosis of the actinomycotic lesions in internal organs can only be diagnosed " post mortem".
Cause and route of infections.
Actinomycosis can be contracted several ways. Sometimes, it is through the "Actinomyces" infection of simple injuries and wounds. The bacteria that infect the animal are known as ray fungi for their radiating characteristics. They grow best outside the animal, and the infection is most likely an accident; the animal may have consumed the bacteria from different forages or grains. For this reason, the spread of the disease is not from animal to animal, but likely the whole herd contracts it as they would be grazing on the same area.
Control.
To control the spread of the disease, affected animals should be isolated or sent for slaughter. The herd should be rotated to a new grazing area to reduce the chances of further infection.
Treatment.
The affected areas are treated with iodine solutions. A common method to achieve this is to give the cattle sodium iodide orally on a regular treatment schedule. Antibiotics such as tetracyclines are also used, alone or with iodine; simultaneous use is considered more aggressive. Killing the bacteria that cause the infection is the ultimately purpose of these treatment methods. However, they are seldom effective unless treatment is started very early. Notably, surgery is not typically considered for treatment of cattle, as it is in extreme human cases.
Prevention.
No real preventions exist for reducing actinomycosis, as destroying all the fungi in a pasture is difficult.
Misdiagnosis.
As is often the case, some diseases or conditions have signs and symptoms similar to actinomycosis. As such, misdiagnoses can occur. Some examples include abscesses caused by grass seeds, woody tongue, bottle jaw, cancerous growths, and irritation caused by lodged objects.
Other species affected.
Although actinomycosis is more common in cattle, it can also be found in horses, sheep, swine, dogs, deer, and humans. In humans, the infection is usually caused by .