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2009, Vol. 4 No. 2, Article 46

 

Toxocarosis in Buffalo Calves : A Report of Two Cases

S. K. Maiti1*, A. K. Santra2 and B.D.Sahu1

 

1Department of Veterinary Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine,
2Department of Livestock Production and Management,

College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry Anjora, Durg

 

*Corresponding Author; e-mail address: [email protected]

 


ABSTRACT

A study was conducted to ascertain the cause of diarrhoea in two buffalo calves. Faecal sample examination revealed presence of large number of eggs of Toxocara vitulorum. Both the calves recovered after treatment with piperazine @ 200 mg/kg body weight and supportive treatment.

KEY WORDS

Buffalo calf, mortality, toxocarosis, piperazine.

INTRODUCTION

Toxocarosis in buffalo calves is considered as one of the most common ailments responsible for high mortality ( Rao et al.,2000). According to the Radiostits et al.( 2000), it is recognized as number one cause of calf morbidity and mortality. The migrating larvae in infected calves produce pathological changes in liver and lungs while adult worm cause obstruction of intestine ( Srivastava,1963). The present report places on record toxocarosis in two buffalo calves of 2 months of age in a private dairy farm.

CASE HISTORY

The study was conducted on two calves of a dairy farm having a herd of 60 buffaloes in which within a span of one and half years a total of 16 calves were born. Out of these newborns 14 calves died at the age of 2-3 months in spite of treatment with high dose of antibiotic, and other supportive therapy after showing similar type of symptoms. The symptoms included weakness, foetid diarrhea, anorexia, reduction in body weight and pale mucous membrane. Presently two calves were suffering from similar ailment with symptoms of diarrhea, inappetance, weakness and inability to stand.

INVESTIGATION AND TREATMENT

Examination of faecal samples from both the calves revealed presence of large number of eggs of Toxocara vitulorum. Egg per gram( EPG) count was performed to asses severity of infection. EPG counts of the two samples were 5,450 and 2300 respectively indicating that the two calves were positive for toxocarosis. Both the calves were treated with piperazine compound @ 200 mg/kg body wt orally, followed by fluid therapy consisting of Ringer’s lactate and 5% dextrose with normal saline (@ 50 ml /kg b.wt.). In addition Pheneramine maleate 4ml and liver extract with vitamin B complex preparation 3 ml were administered intramuscularly for two days to each calf. Both the calves recovered within a week. Faeces of both the calves were negative for ova of Toxocara spp. on 7th day post treatment.

DISCUSSION

From history, clinical signs and laboratory examination a confirmatory diagnosis of Toxocarosis was made and treated accordingly. Present finding corroborates the earlier findings of Verma and Kalra (1974) who also reported high mortality in buffalo calves up to 3 months of age. Piperazine at the dose of 200mg/ kg body wt. showed 100% efficacy against toxocariosis which was in agreement with reports of Rao et al. (2000) and Behura et al. ( 2006).

REFERENCES

  1. Behura, N.C., N., Sahoo and N., Satpathy , 2006, Indian Vet J. 83:673.

  2. Radostits, O. M., C.C., Gay, D.C., Blood and K.W., Hinchcliff, 2000, Veterinary Medicine 9th edn., W.B.Saunders Co.

  3. Rao, R. S., M.U., Kumar, Ram, Rao, and R, Rao , 2000 ,Indian Vet J. 77: 57.

  4. Srivastava, S.C., 1963 ,Indian Vet J. 40: 758.

  5. Verma, P.C. and D.S., Kalra, 1978, Indian J Anim.Res. 12: 107.


  

 

 


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