๐:-(:(Greenish Bloody Diarrhoea;-);-)๐ฎ
CRYPTOSPORIDIOSIS ๐๐๐๐๐๐ฎ๐ฎ
- Species: Cattle
- Breed: Friesian
- Age: 1 week
- Sex: Female
- Housing: Indoor pen with a group of similarly aged calves
- Management: Standard dairy farm practice with colostrum administration
History:
- The calf was born without complications and had an uneventful first few days of life.
- At 5 days old, the calf began showing signs of diarrhea that were initially mild and watery.
- The diarrhea progressively worsened over the next 48 hours, becoming more watery and greenish-yellow in color, with no visible blood.
- The calf became lethargic, dehydrated, and refused to suckle.
- Other calves in the group showed mild to moderate diarrhea but were not as severely
Clinical Signs:
- Diarrhea: Watery, yellow-green in color, without blood or mucus.
- Dehydration: Sunken eyes, dry mucous membranes, skin tenting.
- Lethargy: Reduced activity and reluctance to stand.
- Poor appetite: Refusal to suckle.
- Weight loss: Loss of body condition over a few days.
- Temperature: Mild fever (39.5ยฐC).
Initial Differential Diagnosis:
1. Cryptosporidiosis
2. Rotavirus infection
3. Coronavirus infection
4. Enterotoxigenic *E. coli* (ETEC) infection
5. Coccidiosis
Diagnostic Workup:
1. Fecal Examination:
- A fecal sample was collected and sent to the laboratory for analysis.
- Acid-fast staining of the feces revealed Cryptosporidium oocysts, confirming the diagnosis of cryptosporidiosis.
2. Other Diagnostics:
- Tests for *E. coli* (ETEC), rotavirus, and coronavirus were performed but came back negative.
Treatment:
1. Fluid Therapy:
- The primary treatment for cryptosporidiosis is supportive care, with a focus on correcting dehydration.
- The calf was administered oral rehydration solutions (ORS) containing electrolytes and glucose.
- Intravenous fluids (Ringer's Lactate) were administered due to the severity of dehydration.
2.Antiparasitic Treatment:
- No specific treatment is available to eliminate *Cryptosporidium* in calves.
- Halofuginone lactate, an anti-protozoal medication, was administered to reduce the shedding of oocysts and decrease the severity of the infection.
3. Antibiotics:
- Broad-spectrum antibiotics were administered to prevent secondary bacterial infections, although they do not directly treat cryptosporidiosis.
4. Environmental Management:
- The calf was isolated to prevent the spread of infection to other calves.