Transboundary Emerging and Exotic Animal Disease/ Exotic Animal Disease Practice Exam

What is one of the clinical signs of heartwater disease in affected animals?

1. Loss of appetite

2. Fever

3. Difficulty breathing

4. All of the above

The correct answer is: All of the above

Heartwater disease, caused by the bacterium Ehrlichia ruminantium and primarily affecting ruminants, presents a range of clinical signs as the infection progresses. One prominent sign is fever, which usually indicates the body’s response to the bacterial infection. Loss of appetite is also common, as infected animals may feel unwell, leading to decreased food intake. Additionally, some infected animals exhibit difficulty breathing due to various factors, including potential fluid accumulation or neurological effects caused by the disease. Given that heartwater can manifest with multiple symptoms simultaneously, it is accurate to say that the presence of fever, loss of appetite, and difficulty breathing are indeed seen together in affected animals. This comprehensive understanding of the disease's clinical signs illustrates the severity and multifaceted nature of heartwater, thus making the choice that includes all of these signs the most accurate answer.