Vol. 9, Issue 1, Part L (2024)

Author(s): Jitendra Kant Nagar, Sarjna Meena, Pratikshit Sanel, Shashi Choudhary and Punam

Abstract: Theileriosis is a most important arthropod tick born blood protozoan disease in exotic and cross breed cattle in India. This increases morbidity and mortality, especially in crossbred calves, causing significant economic losses to farmers, which is a major problem for the dairy industry. It is caused by an obligate intracellular protozoan, Theileria annulata. It have complex life cycle and it is transmitted through special tick Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum. The present investigation deals with diagnosis and therapeutic treatment of bovine tropical theileriosis in ten crossbreed calves 25 days to 2 months old in age. These calves presented in Veterinary Clinical Complex, PGIVER, Jaipur with history of tick infestation, dull, emaciation, rough skin coat, off feed and high fever. In these cases, clinical symptoms observed were high body temperature (104º-106 ºF), anorexia, dullness, rough skin coat and enlarged pre-scapular lymph node, icterus to white conjunctiva mucous membrane and increase respiration and pulse rate. Based on haematological examination of bovine tropical theileriosis suspected cases found that decreased haemoglobin, packed cell volume and erythrocytes and lymphocytes but increase both leucocytes and neutrophils. Microscopic thin blood smears examination with Giemsa staining, found piroplasms in erythrocytes and found presence of schizonts (Koch’s blue bodies) in lymphocytes in affected crossbred calves with bovine tropical theileriosis during lymph node aspirated smears. Based on clinical symptoms, haematological, microscopic blood parasite examination with Giemsa staining and lymph node aspirated smears examination, all crossbreed calves were positive for theileriosis. Buparvaquone was administered intramuscularly at a dose of 2.5 mg per kg or 1 ml per 20 kg body weight after confirmation of the diagnosis of bovine tropical theileriosis in crossbred calves. In these cases, also gave antibiotic, anti-pyretic and hematinic drugs as a supportive medicine. All calves were very well responded to treatment and recovered uneventfully within 15 days. The present report presents the successful diagnosis and therapeutic management of bovine tropical theileriosis in calves.