Farm Animal Welfare

Cattle Johne's Disease Control Welfare

Johne's disease causes progressive wasting and welfare deterioration in cattle, with control programs preventing suffering through testing and biosecurity.

Key Facts

Johne's disease causes chronic diarrhea, weight loss, and death
Most infections occur in calves under 6 months through fecal-oral transmission
A subclinical reservoir of infected animals sheds bacteria before clinical signs develop
Test-and-cull programs alongside improved hygiene progressively reduce herd prevalence
No effective treatment exists - prevention through management and testing is essential

Welfare Considerations

Johne's disease causes months of progressive suffering as the immune response destroys gut function. Control programs that identify subclinical carriers and implement biosecure calf rearing prevent new infections and allow timely humane dispatch of affected animals.

What You Can Do

Support cattle farms participating in accredited Johne's control programs
Advocate for Johne's monitoring and control as a welfare standard in cattle certification
Choose dairy and beef from farms with documented Johne's disease control programs