Piroplasmosis of horses: causes and symptoms, treatment and prevention

The appearance of piroplasmosis in horses is a dangerous problem. At the same time, it is associated with infection with special parasites. This happens with tick bites. To identify and eliminate the pathology, it is recommended to consult a veterinarian in a timely manner. It should be borne in mind that the younger the animal, the more difficult it is to tolerate pathology. Therefore, it is so important to start therapy on time.

Description of the disease

The causative agent of the pathology is Piroplasma caballi, which belongs to the family Babesiidae. This is one of the largest endoglobular parasites that are localized in erythrocytes.The carriers of the disease are ticks that belong to the genus Dermacentor. In this case, the causative agent of piroplasmosis is transmitted by ticks through eggs.

Reasons for appearance

The cause of the development of the disease is considered to be infection of the blood by parasites. It occurs as a result of the bite of a tick that carries dangerous microorganisms. The tick itself becomes infected with piroplasmids from the bites of sick animals or from the mother. Parasites go through several stages of development in the intestines of intermediate hosts. In doing so, they infect the entire body, and the salivary glands are no exception.

After that, with the saliva of ticks, they penetrate the horse's body. There, the parasites enter the red blood cells, causing their gradual destruction.

The younger the animal, the more difficult the course of pathology in him. Infection occurs during the activation of ticks, which belong to the categories Dermacentor pictus and Dermacentor marginatus. Animals that have weak immunity are more susceptible to infection.It usually worsens when horses are overworked or develop chronic pathologies.

Signs and symptoms of onset

The incubation period for piroplasmosis is 1-2 weeks. In this case, the pathology itself usually has an acute character and is accompanied by the appearance of the following symptoms:

• general weakness - is the result of poisoning of the animal organism due to the vital activity of parasites and excess hemoglobin;
• icteric syndrome of mucous membranes - due to a violation of the liver;
• anemia - is a consequence of the massive death of red blood cells;
• fever, fever, convulsions - due to disruption of the nervous system;
• disturbances of digestive functions - manifested in the form of loss of appetite, colic and flatulence;
• disruption of the heart, blood vessels and respiratory system - often there is an increase in heart rate and respiration, which is associated with blockage of blood flow by the remnants of dead red blood cells.

The threat of pathology lies in its rapid development. If the spread of the disease is not stopped, there is a risk of the horse dying a week after the onset of symptoms.

Diagnostic measures

To identify the pathology, you need to consult a veterinarian. In this case, the specialist analyzes the clinical picture. At the same time, it takes into account epizootological parameters and pathoanatomical changes that appear during the disease. However, a blood test is considered the most accurate diagnostic method.

Treatment of piroplasmosis in horses

After identifying pathogens, the doctor develops a therapeutic course. Treatment must be comprehensive. It is recommended to start it as early as possible.

First of all, it is required to destroy pathogens. For this, the doctor prescribes "Imidocarb" and "Aceturate diminazen". They are administered by intramuscular injection. In addition, symptomatic therapy is carried out. It includes the use of laxatives and heart medications. The animal also requires a special diet.

Preventive measures

To avoid infection of horses, it is not recommended to graze horses on pastures where tick vectors are found. With a mass accumulation of ixodid ticks, it is recommended to treat animals with an interval of 5-6 days. This should be done with acaricides.

In some situations, it is necessary to resort to chemoprophylaxis. In this case, it is recommended to administer trypansini solution intravenously to horses. This is done when the first cases of the disease appear in animals.

After recovery, horses are recommended to be kept in cool rooms. At the same time, they are allowed to work only after 2-3 weeks.

Piroplasmosis of horses is considered a dangerous pathology, which is characterized by rapid development. To minimize the risk of infection, it is important to engage in disease prevention. If symptoms of a disorder appear, contact your veterinarian immediately.

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