Bottle Jaw in Livestock

Bottle jaw is a symptom - not a disease - seen in cattle, sheep, and goats. It appears as a soft, fluid-filled swelling (edema) beneath the lower jaw and usually indicates low blood protein and anemia from heavy internal parasites, poor nutrition, or chronic disease. The swelling occurs when protein loss and anemia disrupt normal fluid balance, allowing fluid to leak from blood vessels into tissues.

Causes of Bottle Jaw

• Internal parasites: Especially the barber’s pole worm (Haemonchus contortus) and liver flukes (Fasciola hepatica), which deplete blood and protein and cause severe anemia.
• Malnutrition: Low-protein diets fail to maintain adequate blood protein levels.
• Chronic diseases: Conditions like Johne’s disease cause ongoing diarrhea and protein loss.
• Congestive heart failure (rare): Can lead to generalized edema that also appears under the jaw.

Symptoms

• Cool, soft, pendulous swelling under the lower jaw.
• Weakness and lethargy.
• Pale gums and inner eyelids (anemia).
• Weight loss and poor condition.

Treatment

1. Veterinary diagnosis: Confirm the underlying cause.
2. Parasite control: Use appropriate dewormers for worms and flukes.
3. Nutritional support: Improve diet; provide high-protein feeds to restore blood protein.
4. Manage chronic disease: Apply targeted therapies (e.g., for Johne’s disease or fluke disease).

Prevention

• Pasture management: Rotational grazing to lower parasite burdens.
• Regular deworming: Follow a strategic program with veterinary guidance.
• Nutritional monitoring: Ensure balanced rations with adequate protein and essential nutrients.