Background: The periparturient period in cattle is a critical phase characterized by profound physiological, metabolic, and hormonal changes that predispose animals to a variety of infectious and metabolic disorders. Diseases such as theileriosis, hypocalcemia, hypomagnesemia, ketosis, and metritis commonly occur during the periparturient period and can significantly compromise both maternal health and productivity. Effective nutritional management, close clinical monitoring, and early therapeutic intervention during the periparturient period are essential to reduce disease incidence and associated economic losses in dairy cattle.
Case presentation: A four-year-old recently calved crossbred Jersey cow was presented with an acute onset of anorexia, hyperexcitability, muscle tremors, ataxia, and intermittent recumbency. These neurological signs were accompanied by pyrexia, pallor of the mucous membranes, generalized lymphadenopathy, and heavy tick infestation. Clinical examination and laboratory investigations revealed concurrent theileriosis, severe hypomagnesemia, hypophosphatemia and mild hypocalcemia. Peripheral blood smear examination confirmed the presence of Theileria piroplasms within erythrocytes, while serum biochemical analysis showed markedly reduced magnesium levels, moderately reduced phosphorus levels and slightly reduced calcium levels.
Management and Outcome: The animal was treated with buparvaquone, magnesium and phosphorus supplementation, supportive therapy, and tick control measures. Marked clinical improvement was observed within 48 hours, with complete recovery over one week.
Conclusion: This case highlights the importance of recognizing concurrent metabolic and hemoprotozoan diseases in periparturient cattle and emphasizes the need for prompt diagnosis and integrated therapeutic management.
International Journal of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry
