Content
Cryptosporidiosis in calves is a type of coccidiosis specific to cattle. But, unlike the innocent against its background, eimeriosis of cattle can cause economic damage. When infected with cryptosporidium, the calf has only two options: die or recover. More than half “choose” the former.
What is this disease "cryptosporidiosis"
The causative agent is a parasitic unicellular organism that can cause pulmonary and gastrointestinal diseases. Calves are susceptible to infection with the species Cryptosporidium parvum. Mostly newborns suffer from cryptosporidiosis. The parasite's profuse watery diarrhea causes dehydration and death.
Cryptosporidium provokes the development of enteritis in calves. Unlike eimeria, these unicellular organisms do not leave their "host" at the end of their life cycle. Some of them remain in the epithelial cells of the ileum and continue to function.
The graph shows that 57% of all intestinal diseases in young calves are due to cryptosporidiosis, "pure" or mixed with other infections.
Pathogenesis
Calves under 6 weeks of age are most susceptible to cryptosporidiosis. This does not mean that an older animal cannot become infected with parasites. Moreover, the Cryptosporidium that "got" to the victim, most likely, will remain in it forever. But when infected at the age of more than 6 weeks, the disease is asymptomatic.
The "spores" - oocysts that have entered the calf's intestines pass to the second stage of development - the sporozoites Cryptosporidium parvum. The latter adhere to cells in the upper part of the small intestine. Once attached, the sporozoites form a protective "bubble" that separates the parasite from both the "external environment" and the internal contents of the host cell. The membrane created by cryptosporidium allows it to receive nutrients from the host and protects against the host's immune response. That is why it is so difficult to deal with the causative agent of the disease.
After the establishment of a refuge, sporozoites turn into trophozoites, which are able to reproduce sexually and asexually. During reproduction, 2 types of oocysts are formed. The thin-walled cells return to the intestinal epithelial cells, again infecting the host. Thick-walled with feces are excreted into the external environment.
Life cycle diagram of Cryptosporidium
Diagnosis of Cryptosporidiosis in Calves
Disease in cattle causes 4 types of cryptosporidia:
- parvum;
- bovis;
- ryanae;
- andersoni.
But only the former causes disease in newborn calves and asymptomatic oocyst secretion in older animals. Researchers believe that the distribution of different types of Cryptosporidium depends on the age of the cattle. Cryptosporidium andersoni most commonly affects the abomasum in adult cattle. The other three species are "prone" to infect young animals.
The diagnosis is made in a complex way:
- symptoms;
- epizootic situation in the area;
- laboratory tests of feces.
The excrement is examined in several ways for reliability. With two methods, the sample is stained. In this case, oocysts either do not stain at all, or weakly “take” the paint. The methods of Darling or Fulleborn are also used. These methods use a saturated solution of sucrose or salt.
Symptoms
The incubation period of cryptosporidiosis in newborn calves is 3-4 days. Symptoms of C. parvum infection:
- refusal to eat;
- profuse watery diarrhea;
- dehydration;
- coma.
The calf falls into a coma if time was lost. Due to dehydration. Diarrhea usually appears 3-4 days after parasite infestation. Duration 1-2 weeks. The release of oocysts into the external environment occurs between 4 and 12 days after infection with cryptosporidium. These spores become dangerous to healthy animals immediately after entering the external environment.
Infection with C. andersoni, to which adult animals are susceptible, add weight and milk yield to clinical signs.
The main symptom of cryptosporidiosis in the calf is profuse diarrhea.
Biochemical parameters of blood
Infection with cryptosporidiosis can also be determined by biochemical blood tests. True, this is more related to diagnosis for the sake of determining the epizootic situation. You need to start treatment on the first day.
With cryptosporidiosis in calves, the content of total protein in the blood decreases by 9.3%, albumin - by 26.2%. This indicates impaired absorption of protein from the intestine and impaired liver function. The total amount of globulins in calf disease increases by 8.9%:
- α-globulin is almost at the same level;
- β-globulin - higher by 21.2%;
- γ-globulin - by 8.8%.
Other indicators are also changing. Based on the general results of a biochemical blood test, it can be said that when a calf is infected with cryptosporidiosis, not only the intestinal function is disrupted. Degenerative processes develop in the liver. This prevents the body from neutralizing toxins that are formed as a result of the vital activity of parasites.
Features of the spread of the disease
Infection of newborn calves with Cryptosporidium oocysts occurs either orally or intrauterinely. Since an adult cow can also become infected with cryptosporidiosis or remain a carrier of the parasite after recovery, the calves are born sick. In this case, signs of the disease appear already from 1-2 days after birth.
Healthy calves born are infected by contact with the faeces of sick animals, by drinking water or feed contaminated with droppings. Oocysts can be found everywhere in the environment if the litter and barnyard are not kept clean.
Cryptosporidiosis can be transmitted from calf to human
What is the danger of the disease
Cryptosporidiosis is not only costly economically. The study of this disease showed that not only animals, but also people are infected with parasites. Moreover, it is the species C. parvum that is the main causative agent of cryptosporidiosis in young animals.
Since there is practically no time for diagnostics, the owners often make mistakes and begin to treat calves for simple diarrhea, which can be caused by the hunt of the uterus. Accordingly, the newborn either survives in spite of the "treatment", or dies. The mortality rate from dehydration among young calves reaches 60%.
How to treat cryptosporidiosis in calves
There is no effective medication against cryptosporidiosis in calves. For treatment are often prescribed:
- sulfadimezine;
- khimkokcid;
- aprolium;
- norsulfazole;
- paromomycin.
All these drugs do not stop the course of the disease, but reduce the number of oocysts secreted by a sick calf. Khimkoktsid refers to coccidiostatics. These drugs do not cure, but rather allow the animal to develop immunity.
Polymyxin is also recommended in combination with furazolidone for 6 days. The antibiotic dose is 30-40 thousand units. The total volume of the composition is 6-10 mg / kg. All these preparations for calves are not licensed abroad.
Halofuginone lactate
The only licensed product is halofuginone lactate. At the same time, no one reliably knows the mechanism of action of the drug. There is a version that it affects the stages of sporozoite and merozoite of the body.
Halokur is one of the most popular brands of halofuginone lactate
Application rules
Halofuginone lactate is used for the prevention and treatment of cryptosporidiosis in young animals. For prophylactic purposes, the drug is used within the first 1-2 days after the birth of the calf. Treatment should be started within the first day after the onset of diarrhea. The medication is produced in liquid form. The dosage is calculated individually for each calf: 0.1 mg of halofuginone per 1 kg of live weight. The concentration of the active substance in preparations of different brands may differ. The manufacturer must indicate the specific dosage of his product in the instructions.
Halofuginone is given at the same time every day. During treatment, the calf is provided with sufficient milk or colostrum. The drug is mixed into the feed for 7 days.
Prohibited
Use halofuginone lactate on debilitated animals. Give the drug to calves that have diarrhea for more than 24 hours. Feed the medicine before feeding.
Lactate halofuginone is unable to completely prevent infection or cure the calf, but it will shorten the duration of diarrhea and reduce the number of oocysts excreted. The rest of the remedies are even less effective.
Adjunctive therapy
Although in the case of cryptosporidiosis, it is more logical to call it the main one. Sick calves are provided with dietary food. Droppers are made with drugs that restore the water-salt balance. Enveloping decoctions are soldered.
Probiotic use
Probiotics are also considered adjuvant therapy. They are unable to heal the calf. Here you can only restore the intestinal microflora that has died as a result of the use of antibiotics. But there is another opinion: bacteria reproduce well on their own. In any case, probiotics won't make it worse.
The drugs are given orally by soldering with warm water instead of one of the feedings.
Ancillary preparations can be added to calves during feeding or in drinkers
Prevention measures
There is no vaccine for cryptosporidiosis. They are trying to create it, but so far to no avail. Therefore, one should not count on vaccinations.
Oocysts are very difficult to remove from the environment, so prevention measures can only be to reduce pollution and stimulate the calf's natural immunity.
For pregnant cows, they create optimal conditions for keeping and feeding. The litter is scrubbed frequently and thoroughly. Calving rooms and calves are disinfected. There are various disinfection methods:
- ferry;
- disinfectant solution based on hydrogen peroxide, formalin (10%) or ammonia (5%);
- hot water followed by drying the surface;
- burning by fire.
Oocysts are sensitive to extreme temperatures: from - 20 ° C to + 60 ° C.
Sick calves are isolated immediately. The attendants are treated and systematically examined for the presence of cryptosporidium in the feces.
It is also impossible to replenish the herd with animals from dysfunctional farms.
Conclusion
Cryptosporidiosis in calves is a difficult-to-treat disease that is transmitted to humans. Since there are no vaccines or treatments for this disease, the risk of infection in calves should be minimized as much as possible. And here prevention comes to the fore.
