Lumpy Jaw

Note Number: AG0070
Martin Roche, Warrnambool
Updated:January 2008

This Agriculture Note describes the disease Lumpy jaw, its identification and treatment options.

Introduction

The term "lumpy jaw" brings to mind the grossly distorted head and wasted body of a suffering animal. The picture is well known to cattle producers, as cattle of any breed are the most commonly affected animals, although "lumpy jaw" can occur in pigs and horses. True "lumpy jaw" refers specifically to a condition called Actinomycosis, but in cattle there are other causes of swollen, lumpy jaws.

Cause of lumpy jaw

Figure 1. A cow suffering from lumpy jaw

The cause of lumpy jaw is a bacterium called "Actinomyces bovis", however other organisms may invade the lesion. A. bovis is a common inhabitant of the mouths of healthy cattle. It is thought that a sharp object eg. stick, bracken fern, or blackberry punctures the lining of the mouth allowing bacteria to invade the deeper tissues. The organisms then reach the jawbone where they set up an infection leading to alteration and swelling of the bone. In younger animals erupting baby teeth often leave a pathway for A. bovis to enter the bone. Occasionally infection is found further down the intestinal tract but the cause is the same.

Signs of lumpy jaw

Lumpy jaw develops slowly, over a few weeks or months, and so may not be recognised in the early stages. The first sign is often an enlargement of part of the jawbone. The swelling would be hard, immoveable, maybe painful to touch, and would be slowly becoming larger. Later it may be discharging a clear, sticky, honey like material containing small granular particles. Because swallowing and eating are painful for affected animals, they gradually lose condition. There may be an associated swelling of the soft tissues under the jaw, commonly called "bottle jaw".

Lumpy jaw is seen more commonly in younger animals than older ones due to the association with erupting teeth, however it can occur in cattle of any age. It is not directly fatal but most cattle suffering from the disease do fade away, and die from the effects of undernourishment.

If you suspect lumpy jaw seek early Veterinary advice for 2 reasons. Firstly if treatment is to be successful it has to be undertaken early, and secondly the condition may not be lumpy jaw but something else which is more easily cured. Some examples of similar conditions are listed below.

Other conditions which may be confused with lumpy jaw

Grass seed abscesses

Abscesses caused by grass seeds, especially barley grass, are the most common conditions that might be mistaken for lumpy jaw. They can appear as a lump or lumps around the face but rarely occur in the bone. They are usually in the soft tissues and thus can be moved around. They can also usually be cured.

Woody tongue

The cause of woody tongue is similar to lumpy jaw in that the surface of the tongue has to be damaged first, allowing invasion by a bacterium closely related to A. bovis, the cause of lumpy jaw. The two conditions differ firstly in that in woody tongue it is only the tongue that is affected, and secondly, woody tongue is more easily cured.

"Bottle jaw"

Bottle jaw is a soft, floppy swelling of the tissues underneath the jaw, which, depending on the cause, can respond if treated correctly. It may be caused by parasites such as worms or liver fluke, and also may be seen in cases of malnutrition, Johnes disease, anaemia, and heart failure.

Cancer

Tumours of the bones of the skull do occur but are rare.

Foreign bodies

Foreign bodies such as sticks and bones, trapped in the mouth, may cause conditions which bear a superficial resemblance to lumpy jaw. Early, close inspection can prevent a lot of long term harm.

Treatment for lumpy jaw

Unless treatment is attempted in the very early stages it is unlikely to be successful. Infections in bones are not common because it is hard for the causative organism to get in, and for the same reason it is hard for antibiotics to reach the damaged area and effect a cure. Iodide solutions given either by mouth or directly into the vein are the treatment of choice but a long course of treatment may be needed to have any chance of success.

The previous version of this note was published in December 2005.

The advice provided in this publication is intended as a source of information only. Always read the label before using any of the products mentioned. The State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication.