Babesiosis in cattle

Cattle babesiosis is a transmissible blood-parasitic disease with a mortality rate of up to 60% in the absence of timely treatment. The disease is common in all regions of central RUSSIA, less common in the southern regions and the Caucasus. The disease is most severe in adults and young animals aged 1-2 years.

Causes

The cause of the disease is invasion by single-celled parasites Babesia. They have a characteristic shape reminiscent of paired pears. In the body, they can circulate in the bloodstream for a long time for several months or even years and destroy up to 50% of red blood cells. The degree of damage in cattle babesiosis is determined by the immunity of the individuals and the pathogenicity of the babesias themselves.

Development

Babesia is carried by ixodid ticks, and infestation usually occurs on free grazing in spring and summer. The most dangerous places are swampy, damp plains with bushes. Babesia eggs enter the animal's body along with the ticks' saliva . They are carried throughout the body through the bloodstream and mature, on average, within one to two weeks. Adult parasites reproduce rapidly by multiple divisions.

Their waste products accumulate in the blood, disrupting the metabolic processes of gases and proteins. At the same time, red blood cells disintegrate in large quantities, which causes their deficiency - this provokes anemia, anoxemia, active release of hemoglobin, and an increase in nitrogen in the blood. Intoxication is accompanied by stagnation in tissues and damage to the central NERVOUS SYSTEM.

Symptoms of babesiosis in cattle

As a rule, animals suffer from acute illness:

• the temperature rises quickly and subsequently remains at about 42  o C;
• noticeable depression, loss of interest in food, reluctance to move;
• breathing and pulse increase (more than 110 beats/min);
• in cows, the volume of MILK is significantly reduced (it is yellow or reddish, bitter);
• the disease is accompanied by diarrhea;
• most animals develop atony of the proventriculus;
• on days 2-3, red urine is released (hemoglobinuria);
• on days 5-6, the temperature drops sharply, cramps and muscle tremors are noticeable;
• individuals do not move and rapidly lose weight.

The disease can last up to 10 days and ends in recovery or death, depending on the resistance of the body and the degree of invasion.

Diagnostics

• Upon examination, it is noticeable that the mucous membranes are pale and jaundiced, local hemorrhages are possible.
• A microscopic examination of blood smears stained according to Romanovsky is performed.
• A leukogram is required, which demonstrates a shift towards myelocytes and new neutrophils.

Treatment of bovine babesiosis

In the fight against blood parasites, the drugs produced by NITA-FARM “Neozidin” (in the form of a sterile powder) and “Neozidin M” (in the form of a sterile solution) have proven themselves to be excellent.

The unique formula, which includes a combination of diminazene and phenazone, is effective against Babesia parasites. Diminazene promotes the rapid destruction of their cells, and phenazone relieves fever and inflammation. Thanks to the action of the drug, normal vascular permeability is restored.

Treatment is carried out through intramuscular injections. The Neosidin M solution is ready for use, and the Neozidin powder is diluted in saline or water for injection at the rate of 2.36 g/12.5 ml of solvent. The drug is administered in a volume of 1 ml of the prepared solution per 20 kg of cattle weight. If necessary, repeat the administration after 24 hours.

The drug reaches its maximum effectiveness within 3-5 hours after administration, and its effect lasts throughout the day. It is then excreted well in the urine. Cow's milk can be used for food no earlier than 5 days after injection. MEAT - no earlier than after 21 days.

Prevention

To prevent the disease, infection by tick vectors should be prevented. To do this, preventive treatments are carried out on the animals themselves and the places where they are kept. We recommend Meradoc as a preventative drug - it reduces the likelihood of contracting babesiosis.