Concurrent infection of babesiosis and amphistomiasis in a dairy cow complicated with traumatic pericarditis

Abstract

A 6 year old crossbred jersey cow was presented with a history of anorexia and watery diarrhea for 3 days during the month of April 2017. The peripheral blood smear was positive for Babesia bigemina and blood picture showed anaemia. Serum biochemistry revealed hypoproteinemia and hypoalbuminemia. Faecal examination revealed no parasites initially. The animal was treated with Diaminazene aceturate @ 3.5 mg/kg bwt along with electrolytes and supportive therapy. Improvement observed after treatment for Babesiosis. Second time the animal presented with anorexia, jowl edema with bilateral engorgement of jugular vein after 7 days of initial treatment. Faecal examination revealed Amphistome sp egg. Thoracic radiography showed radio opaque metal in reticulum without adhesion. ECG revealed reduced amplitude of QRS complex. Ultrasound assessment of thorax showed severe pericardial effusion, ultrasound guided pericardiocentesis yielded, pericardial fluid analysis revealed low leukocyte count and no growth on culture. So the case is confirmed as Aseptic traumatic pericarditis. Thereafter animal was treated with single dose of Oxyclozanide oral suspension @ 10mg/kg and Injection Oxytetracycline 10mg/kg along with supportive therapy given for consecutive five days, Pericardial effusion was reduced on third day of treatment. The animal was recovered successfully and moderate improvement in blood picture was observed