Case report

Tail tip necrosis in a confined cattle feeding operation

Abstract

In this study, tail tip necrosis in cattle fed in a confinement feedlot in Nebraska, USA was reported. One-time capacity of the feedlot was 80,000 head and reported prevalence of tail tip necrosis was 1%. Cattle were fed for 120-150 days before signs of the disease were noted. Thirty percent of affected cattle died because of failure to respond to therapy or were marketed prematurely because of chronic diseases. Abnormalities of the tail, joints, and lungs were found during post-mortem examination. Arcanobacterium pyogenes was isolated from all sampled sites. Tail tip necrosis is common in confinement feedlot facilities where cattle are housed on slatted floors and can lead to bacteremia and death.