Babesiosis/ Texas Cattle Fever/ Red Water Fever
Introduction:
Unicellular
Blood Protozoan that requires vector for its transmission i.e. Ticks (Boophilus
microphilis or Riphicephalus). Caused by Babesia bovis, B. bigemina, and B.
divergens in cattle and by B. ovis and B. motasi in sheep.
B.
bovis is transmitted by the larval stage of these ticks and B. bigemina by nymphal
stage of ticks.
Occurrence:
Seasonal
or in summer or rainfall season and when there is a prevalence of ticks.
Pathogenesis:
Tick
bite results in entry of babesia into the body of host that damage the peripheral
and visceral vessels + erythrocytes and cause icterus, anemia and hemoglobin
urea (characteristic feature) that’s why known as red water disease. B.
divergens lead to subacute and persistent fever and B. bovis leads to fatal
thrombosis and death of an animal in addition to that bovis release inflammatory
mediators that cause vasodilation and result in hypotension.
Clinical Findings: (Incubation period 2-3 weeks)
Acute onset of fever (104°- 107° F), anorexia, depression, weakness, fall in blood
pressure, ruminal stenosis, tachycardia and tachypnea due to breakdown of
RBC's. Initially, the conjunctiva is brick red but later it becomes pale due to the break down of RBCs. There are hemoglobin urea and animal pass brick red or
brownish urine. Other signs are diarrhea and later on constipation. Abortion
may occur in pregnant animals.
Differential Diagnosis:
Differentiated
with those conditions in which Hemoglobin urea and anemia occur.
Pre-parturient Hemoglobin urea: occur due to Phosphorus deficiency near parturition, mostly in winter season or due to brassica eating.
Thileria: The long incubation period, sub-acute
Bacillary hemoglobin urea: Highly acute, severe toxemia, acute signs, no blood cells in urine.
Hemonchosis: Jaundice, anemia without Hgurea.
Leptospirosis: More in dogs, transient fever, no Hemoglobin urea.
Treatment:
Imidocarb
dipropionate, Diaminazine diaceturate 3.5mg/kg Bid or 12 mg/kg single dose IM,
B-complex in combination with liver tonic
Control:
Eradicated by eliminating the ticks. Treat cattle’s every two to three weeks with acaricides.
