CHANGES IN MILK AND BLOOD OF DAIRY COWS AFFECTED WITH HAEMOPARASITIC INFECTIONS
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Date
2012
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COLLEGE OF VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES-MANNUTHY,THRISSUR
Abstract
The study entitled “Changes in milk and blood of dairy cows affected
with haemoparasitic infections” was carried out in 40 cattle which turned to be positive for
haemoparasitic diseases. Among the haemoparasitic infections, anaplasmosis was found to be
predominant followed by theileriosis , babesiosis and trypanosomosis .
All the affected animals were subjected to detailed anamensis,
signalment and clinical examination and all the parameters under study such as haematology,
serum biochemistry, determination of milk constituents and evaluation of milk for mastitis.
Haematological, biochemical and milk parameters of affected animals were compared with eight
apparently healthy animals which were negative for haemoparasitic infections on blood smear
examination. The data obtained were analyzed statistically.
Clinical signs observed in all the haemoparasitic infections were severe
decrease in milk yield, anorexia and icteric or pale mucous membranes. Haemoglobinuria was
observed in babesiosis .
Clinical pathology revealed significant decrease in VPRC, RBC count ,
haemoglobin and thrombocyte count in all the affected groups which reflected the anaemic status
of the animals . As the parasitemia increased, severity of anaemia increased both in anaplasmosis
and theileriosis . Leucocytosis was observed in all the affected groups. Macrocytic
normochromic anaemia was observed in babesiosis, anaplasmosis and trypanosomosis while
normocytic normochromic anaemia was recorded in theileriosis. Lymphocytosis and neutropenia
was recorded in trypanosomosis and neutrophilia was observed in babesiosis. Eosinophilia and
neutropenia was recorded in theileriosis and anaplasmosis.
In theileriosis, affected animals with percentage of parasitized RBC
above six showed typical clinical signs .In anaplasmosis , affected animals with percentage of
parasitized RBCs above ten exhibited typical clinical symptoms .
Serum biochemical studies revealed significant increase in the levels of
total cholesterol, triglycerides and aspartate aminotransferase activity in all the affected groups.
Hypophosphatemia, hypocalcemia and hypoalbuminemia was observed
in all the groups. Lowest reduction in glucose was recorded in trypanosomosis even though
lower values were found in other groups. Considerable decrease in total protein was observed in
babesiosis , theileriosis and anaplasmosis. Theileriosis and babesiosis showed lower values for
globulin which were significant. Lowest AG ratio was recorded for trypanosomosis, while other
groups also showed lower values due to liver dysfunction.
In all the affected groups, animals were found to be negative for
mastitis.
Significant changes in milk constituents were observed in all the
affected groups. Lowest fat percentage was recorded for trypanosomosis. Lower levels of SNF
and protein were recorded in all the affected groups. Correlation of milk parameters with
haematological parameters were not found significant in the present study in case of both
theileriosis and anaplasmosis. Fat was found to be positively correlated with triglycerides, where
other biochemical parameters were not found to be correlated in case of theileriosis. In
anaplasmosis, fat was found to be positively correlated with glucose and SNF was found to be
positively correlated with phosphorus and total protein while protein in milk was positively
correlated with phosphorus, total protein and globulin and negatively correlated with cholesterol
Drastic reduction in milk production was observed in trypanosomosis and babesiosis . All other
groups exhibited low milk production after the incidence of haemoparasitic infections.
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