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Blackleg, black quarter, quarter evil, quarter ill (Latin: Gangraena emphysematosa) is an infectious bacterial disease of sheep and cattle, caused by Clostridium chauvoei bacteria. It is found all over the world. A symptom of blackleg is characteristic swellings which make a cracking sound under pressure. Blackleg vaccine gives immunity against it.
Clostridium chauvoei and Clostridium feseri. In rare cases other species of Clostridium are also involved such as C.septicum. Clostridia are rod-shaped, anaerobic, spore-forming, and gram positive. All clostridium species make gases during infection.
The use of a 7-way clostridial vaccination is the most common, cheapest, and efficacious preventative measure taken against Blackleg. Burning the upper layer of soil to eradicate left-over spores is the best way to stop the spread of blackleg from diseased cattle. Diseased cattle should be isolated. Treatment is generally unrewarding due to the rapid progression of the disease, however penicillin is the drug of choice for treatment. Treatment is only effective in the early stages and as a control measure.