Bovine Babesiosis in Cattle: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Bovine babesiosis is a tick-borne disease that affects cattle, caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Babesia, belonging to the order Piroplasmida and the phylum Apicomplexa. This article aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the causes, transmission, clinical signs, postmortem findings, diagnosis, and treatment of bovine babesiosis, commonly known as "Red Water."

Causes of Bovine Babesiosis:

Bovine babesiosis is caused by Babesia species, including Babesia bovis, Babesia bigemina, and Babesia divergens. These protozoans infect cattle through tick bites and can be transmitted to the larvae produced by infected ticks. The disease is not limited to cattle but can also affect other domestic animals such as sheep, goats, horses, dogs, cats, and donkeys.

Transmission of Babesiosis in Cattle:

The disease spreads among cattle through tick vectors. Ticks become carriers of Babesia when they feed on infected cattle and inject the parasites into the bloodstream. The Babesia parasites then invade the red blood cells, multiply, and eventually rupture the cells.

Clinical Signs of Babesiosis in Cattle:

Following the bite of an infected tick, the incubation period for babesiosis ranges from 1 to 3 weeks, leading to various forms of the disease, including paracute, acute, chronic, and inapparent forms.

In the paracute form, severe illness and death occur within 3 to 7 days, often due to shock.

The acute form is characterized by symptoms such as malaise, loss of appetite, depression, constipation, followed by diarrhea, high fever (41-42 °C), increased respiratory and heart rates, staring coat, potential abortion in pregnant animals, and the presence of red urine (hemoglobinuria).

The chronic form exhibits symptoms such as emaciation, anemia, jaundice, edema, and the absence of urine production in long-standing cases.

Central nervous system disturbances, including incoordination, stiff gait, excitability, convulsions, and coma, can also occur.

Mortality rates are high in the acute and subacute forms.

Postmortem Findings of Babesiosis in Cattle:

Postmortem examinations reveal thin and watery blood, splenomegaly, pale muscles, jaundice, swollen, dark kidneys, myocardial ecchymoses, and a tarry, red spleen. The liver may be enlarged and have a yellow color, indicating blood accumulation beneath the skin.

Diagnosis of Babesiosis in Cattle:

Diagnosing babesiosis involves identifying the presence of the responsible tick vector, considering the clinical signs, and conducting laboratory tests.

Blood smears collected from peripheral blood, kidneys, and heart muscles are examined under a microscope.

Antibody tests, such as indirect fluorescence antibodies (IFAT) or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), can help determine past infections, prevalence, and the level of threat within a herd or in a specific area.

Treatment of Babesiosis in Cattle:

The recommended treatment for babesiosis in cattle involves the administration of Imidobarb (Imizol) via intramuscular or subcutaneous injection, at a dosage of 1-3 mg/kg. Imidocarb is effective for dogs, horses, and cattle.

Another option is Diminazine aceturate (Berenil), which is injected intramuscularly at a dosage of 3-5 mg/kg. Supportive therapy, including blood transfusion and the use of anti-inflammatory agents, may be necessary in severe cases

Note:

It is important to note that Diminazine aceturate can have toxic effects in dogs, so early treatment is crucial. It's important to understand that treatment does not affect the parasites inside ticks that may be feeding on the host; therefore tick control measures should be implemented.

Conclusion:

Bovine babesiosis, commonly known as "Red Water," is a tick-borne disease caused by Babesia species in cattle and other domestic animals. The disease is transmitted through tick vectors, and infected animals can serve as carriers for an extended period.

Clinical signs vary depending on the form of the disease, ranging from acute to chronic, with severe cases often leading to high mortality rates. Diagnosis involves laboratory examinations and the identification of the responsible tick vector.

Treatment options include Imidobarb (Imizol) and Diminazine aceturate (Berenil), with supportive therapy for severe cases. It's crucial to implement tick control measures alongside treatment to effectively manage bovine babesiosis.