Vol. 9, Special Issue 3 (2024)

Author(s): Tamilam TV, Arunachalam K, Sunandhadevi S and Enbavelan PA

Abstract: Babesiosis is an economically important arthropod-borne blood protozoan disease of bovine occurs worldwide caused by the genus Babesia. An one year old jersey cross bred heifer with clinical symptoms of anorexia, anaemia, pyrexia, reduced body weight, haemoglobinurea, enlarged superficial lymph nodes and having tick infestation was brought for checkup. Giemsa stained blood smear revealed the presence of piroplasmic organisms of Babesia sp. in RBC. The haematology revealed, packed cell volume (PCV) 14.9%, haemoglobin concentration (HB) 5.7 g/dl and RBC 2.64 10⁶ /µl. Animal was treated with diminazene aceturate (berenil) IM @ 5mg/kg BW and oxytetracycline @ 10mg/kg BW with supportive therapy. The owner was advised to bring back the animal after one week for review. After one week, the peripheral blood smear examination was found to be negative for Babesia organisms. Haematology revealed that PCV and haemoglobin concentration values were within the normal range. The animal literally showed a marked improvement and eventually recovered.