Anaplasmosis in cattle

Anaplasmas are the simplest pathogenic microorganisms that infect the blood cells of animals and cause the development of a serious disease - bovine anaplasmosis . Sick cows quickly become exhausted and lose productivity. In the absence of timely treatment, a number of severe complications may develop, including the death of the animal.

How does the disease occur?

The causative agents of anaplasmosis in cattle are parasites belonging to the Anaplasmatacea family. Carriers can be any type of animal. Carriers -bloodsucking insects (mosquitoes , midges, horseflies) and ticks. Most often, the disease is registered in the southern regions of the Russian Federation, as well as in central Russia. The peak incidence occurs in the summer months.

After a tick or insect bite, anaplasma larvae enter the bloodstream and penetrate red blood cells. Within 14-21 days they mature, after which they begin to actively reproduce. One blood cell can contain up to four anaplasmas. IT may take 30-60 days from the moment parasites enter the body until clinical signs appear.

Symptoms

Anaplasmosis in cattle in most cases occurs in an acute form. It all starts with a sharp increase in body temperature to 41 degrees Celsius. Animals move poorly, become depressed, and get tired quickly.

1-2 days after the first symptoms of anaplasmosis appear in cattle, the following clinical signs are observed:

• anemia;
• yellowness of mucous membranes;
• atony of the forestomach;
• hard breath;
• increased heart rate;
• swelling of the cheeks, eyelids, abdomen, chest, limbs;
• enlarged lymph nodes;
• slowing down rumen movements;
• perverted appetite or refusal to feed.

In the acute form of the disease, animals quickly lose weight, become weak, and lose productivity. Pregnant cows may have an abortion. Chronic anaplasmosis in cattle is manifested by hypotension of the digestive organs, fever, and anemia of the mucous membranes. Self-healing is possible, but occurs at an extremely slow pace.

Diagnostics

The diagnosis is made based on the clinical picture, blood tests, and serological studies. A blood test clearly shows a decrease in the level of hemoglobin and red blood cells.

Treatment of anaplasmosis in cattle

The NITA-FARM company has developed several drugs for the treatment of anaplasmosis, which have passed all the necessary clinical trials and have proven their effectiveness in practice:

• "Nitox Forte". This drug has a more prolonged effect (effective for 5 days after administration), so it is used for severe infestations. To enhance the effect, oxytetracycline in this drug is combined with an NSAID (flunixin), which reduces body temperature, relieves inflammation, and has an antitoxic effect.

  It is important that the drug kills not only anaplasma, but also many other pathogenic microorganisms. The course of treatment includes one injection. Dosage - 1 milliliter per 10 kilograms of weight. The drug begins to act an hour after administration. Animal Meat can be used for food no earlier than 35 days after administration of the drug.

• "Doxilox." This is a new generation antibiotic for animals based on doxycycline. The drug effectively destroys pathogenic microflora that affects blood cells during anaplasmosis in cattle. Doxilox is administered once, intramuscularly, at a dosage of 1 milliliter per 10 kilograms of weight. In case of severe infestation, repeated administration is possible after 48 hours. The drug begins to act 30-60 minutes after administration and has a prolonged effect. Animal meat can be used for food no earlier than 21 days after administration of the drug. To enhance the effect, the animal is also administered the drug Ferran.