Cattle anaplasmosis: what is it and symptoms of infection, treatment and prevention

The development of bovine anaplasmosis is quite common and can cause serious harm to animal he alth. The disease rarely provokes a fatal outcome, but is characterized by a severe course. Dealing with it can be quite difficult. Therefore, it is recommended to combine the fight against the disease with preventive measures that are aimed at preventing re-infection.

What is anaplasmosis: pathogens and vectors

This term is understood as a pathology carried by small microorganisms. Their dimensions are 0.2-2.2 microns. They enter the red blood cells and multiply there.Anaplasmas cause metabolic disorders and impair the distribution of oxygen in the body. This causes anemia in animals.

Zones and conditions for the spread of infection

This pathology is ubiquitous. Its causative agents are considered to be intracellular bacteria. Parasites form colonies and reproduce by division or budding. Carriers of bacteria can be mosquitoes, ixodid ticks, horseflies. They are also spread by biting beetles, midges, flies-zhigalki. Sometimes infection occurs through infected instruments. The peak incidence occurs in spring and summer - it is during this period that carriers of pathology wake up and become more active.

Features of parasite development

Anaplasmas are parasites with two hosts. They absorb nutrients from the blood of cattle. However, they spread from one individual to another with the help of various insects. When a pathology carrier sticks to an animal, dangerous bacteria enter its bloodstream.

Some time after infection, anaplasmas begin to actively develop in blood cells - most often in erythrocytes. Although sometimes they also penetrate platelets and leukocytes. As a result, in a few days, whole colonies are formed in the blood of animals. Bacteria reproduce by budding or division.

In the body of ticks or other insects, bacterial microorganisms penetrate while sucking the blood of infected individuals. In the body of insects, pests mainly multiply in the intestines and Malpighian vessels. From there, they can be passed on to offspring.

As a result, we can conclude that anaplasmas are able to multiply in the body of insects, which are the main carriers of the disease, and in the body of cattle.

Signs and symptoms of infection

Key manifestations of the pathology are associated with impaired blood clotting. At the same time, the following signs prevail in cattle:

• a sharp increase in body temperature;
• changing the shade of the mucous membranes - an excess amount of bilirubin in the blood of infected animals causes yellowing of the membranes;
• increased heart rate;
• heavy shortness of breath due to oxygen deprivation;
• loss of appetite;
• cough;
• problems in the work of the digestive organs;
• physical exhaustion, rapid weight loss;
• general weakness and apathy;
• decrease in milk yield;
• edema on the limbs and in the dewlap area - observed in advanced cases;
• general weakness;
• anemia;
• convulsions;
• fever;
• miscarriages in pregnant individuals;
• male sterility.

As an additional sign, we can designate a change in the eating habits of sick individuals. Due to metabolic disturbances, animals may try to eat inedible objects. In the chronic course of the disease, intermittent fever occurs. In animals, body weight decreases, hypotension of the digestive tract is observed. The mucous membranes remain pale.

Diagnosing the problem

It can be quite difficult to identify pathology. Its manifestations largely coincide with other diseases, which creates difficulties in diagnosis. In such a situation, there is a risk of choosing the wrong therapy regimen.

Most often the pathology is confused with the following disorders:

• piroplasmosis;
• babesiosis;
• leptospirosis;
• anthrax;
• theileriosis.

To make an accurate diagnosis, it is recommended to conduct a laboratory study of a blood smear of an infected animal.

How to treat anaplasmosis in cattle

At the first symptoms of anaplasmosis in cattle, it is recommended to isolate the infected animal from the rest of the livestock. It is important to confirm the diagnosis and choose the treatment. To cope with the disease, a whole range of medicines is used. The most commonly prescribed drugs are:

1. "Terramycin", "Tetracycline", "Morphycycline" - they are recommended to be mixed with a solution of novocaine with a concentration of 2% and injected intramuscularly. For 1 kilogram of body weight, it is recommended to administer 5-10 thousand units of the drug. The drug should be used for 4-6 days.
2. "Oxytetracycline-200" is a drug that has a long-term effect. It must be administered once a day with an interval of 4 days.
3. "Sulfapyridazine-Sodium" - this product is recommended to be mixed with distilled water in a ratio of 1:10. For 1 kilogram of weight, you need to use 0.05 grams of the product. It is recommended to use it for 3 days.
4. "Biomycin" - for 1 kilogram of body weight it is recommended to use 10 milligrams of the product. This must be done within 7 days.
5. "Ethacridine lactate" - 200 milligrams of the product is recommended to be mixed with 60 milliliters of medical alcohol and 120 milliliters of distilled water. The composition must be administered 1 time per day.

For symptomatic treatment, it is recommended to use antipyretics and analgesics. Animals with this diagnosis suffer from a violation of metabolic processes in the body. Therefore, they definitely need to provide a dietary diet. The basis of the menu should be juicy greens. Drinking plenty of water is important.

In the cold season, the development of anaplasmosis leads to a lack of vitamins and minerals in animal feed. At the same time, the disease itself provokes metabolic disorders. That is why it is so important to give your pets vitamin and mineral supplements. Be sure to use the following substances:

• phosphorus, calcium, vitamin D - a deficiency of these substances provokes a deterioration in appetite, makes animals shy and causes retardation;
• copper - should be an essential part of any balanced diet;
• manganese, vitamin A, cob alt - lack of these substances causes digestive problems and leads to malnutrition;
• zinc, iodine - the lack of these elements provokes a decrease in milk yield;
• vitamin E - deficiency of this element often provokes anemia and even dystrophy.

Possible danger

With the development of anaplasmosis, a pronounced syndrome of anemia often occurs. Its appearance leads to a significant decrease in the volume of red blood cells in the body. In this case, the parameters are restored extremely slowly. The painful process has a long course.

Despite the complex course of the pathology, it rarely causes death. This is due to the biological characteristics of parasites - above all, their virulent properties.

How to prevent the onset of the disease

To minimize the risk of developing pathology, it is recommended to engage in prevention.

In this case, the following rules should be observed:

1. Control the state of pastures for grazing animals.
2. Quarantine new individuals. It should last 1 month. During this period, diagnostic tests should be performed to help ensure the absence of parasites.
3. Periodically treat animal hair with acaricides. The procedure is recommended to be performed weekly.
4. Timely isolate sick individuals from the rest of the livestock.
5. When buying animals, be sure to check the veterinary certificate.
6. Systematically disinfect rooms where pets live.

There are also special vaccines that help develop immunity to anaplasmosis pathogens. This allows you to protect animals from the development of the disease for 10-11 months.

Anaplasmosis is considered a dangerous disease that often occurs in cattle. It is provoked by microscopic parasites that lead to the development of anemia. This causes various problems in animals. Therefore, at the first symptoms of a violation, it is recommended to contact a veterinarian.

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