Theileriosis is a disease of cattle that is transmitted by ticks. The highest number of cases of theileriosis tends to be encountered in January when traditionally the rainfall activity will be high, hence the common name, January disease. The disease is characterised by fever, massive swelling of the lymph nodes, cessation of grazing, discharge from the eyes and nose, loss of body condition, and death.
Cause
Theileriosis is caused by a parasite (Theileria Parva) found in the blood which is transmitted between cattle by ticks. Theileriosis is one of several tick-borne diseases that occur in Zimbabwe.
Signs And Symptoms
Theileriosis is characterised by fever, anaemia, tachypnoea, depression and lethargy.Pale or yellow, rather than healthy pink, vulva (open up the vulva and look at the colouring inside).Pale or yellow whites of eyes (a sign of jaundice).Sudden death especially in late pregnancy or early lactation. Lastly, pregnant cows may abort and still-births occur. Death rates are often highest in heavily pregnant cows.
Control
The hallmark in the control of theileriosis, like all other tick-borne diseases, is to control the tick vector. This can be achieved by regular dipping. Additionally, the application of tick grease in the ear, under the tail, and tail brush should be done.
Where communal dips are not available, or dipping is not being done then farmers should make alternative arrangements and spray their cattle. Farmers should however be aware of counterfeit dipping chemicals on the informal market, and therefore, farmers are best advised to source dip chemicals from reputable suppliers of agrochemicals and veterinary products.
Movement of tick-infested animals should be avoided as it spreads the disease to other areas. Movement of sick animals is illegal and so too is the slaughter of such animals for human consumption.
Another tool that can be used to control theileriosis is vaccination and the vaccine can be sourced, when available, from the Department of Veterinary Services.
Treatment
Theileriosis can be cured if treatment is administered early. It is therefore imperative that a farmer consults veterinary services as early as possible to allow early diagnosis and intervention by veterinary experts. Theileriosis responds to buparvaquone and its derivatives.
Treatment Regime
Isolate the affected animal avoid stressing it and always act fast to improve chances of survival. Don’t expect a sick animal to recover on its own.
To improve chances of survival, please attend to the sick animals as soon as you see symptoms, don’t wait to see if the animal can recover on its own.
Day 1
➖Hitet 120 – 1 ml per 10kg live weight
➖Butachem – 1ml per 20kg live weight
➖Multivitamins AD3E plus Vitamins B – follow bottle instructions
➖Small amount of Pen feed with molasses
➖2 litres Chibuku or 500ml cooking oil
By end of Day 1, it should start grazing
Day 2
➖Hitet 120 – dosage as above
➖ Small amount of pen feed with molasses
➖2 litres chibuku or 500 ml cooking oil
Day 3
➖ Hitet 120
➖Small amount of water if drooling has stopped
➖Increase feed
Day 4
➖Repeat Butachem – necessary to avoid repeat infections
➖Everything is expected to be up and about.
If you are in a redwater area then add Berenil to Day 1 or rather uses Imizol
Vitamins dosage depends on which brand you have, some you inject once in 3 months. Vitamin B usually comes on its own. Multivitamins usually contain vitamins A, D3 and E (the fat-soluble)
A correct diagnosis must be made as theileriosis needs to be differentiated from other tick-borne diseases of cattle that occur in Zimbabwe but which however are treated with different medicines.
Always remember that prevention is better than cure
