Epistaxis secondary to trypanosomiasis in Bubalus bubalis: Clinical report

Abstract

Bovine trypanosomiasis elicited by Trypanosoma evansi is an important tabanid fly transmitted disease exacting a high public health burden and devastating impact on animal health, thereby decreasing the net milk yield. Three pregnant Murrah buffaloes were brought to Veterinary Clinical Complex, Hisar in medicine section with history of fever, epistaxis since 15-20 days, head pressing, anorexia and hypo-galactia. Clinical examination revealed high temperature (104.7±0.59 ̊F), polypnea (48±3.21), normal lymph node consistency, normal ruminal and lung sounds. Microscopic examination of blood smear revealed negative results. Haematological alteration recorded in affected buffaloes were Hb (8.53±0.49g/dl), PCV (25.6±1.49%), TEC (4.69± 0.132 106/µl) indicating afflicted with anaemia and relative neutrophilia (74.33± 0.24%). Similarly biochemical alterations observed were increased SGOT (152.67±16.45 IU/l), hypoproteinaemia (4.3± 0.29 mg/dl) and hypophosphatemia (1.87±0.23 mg/dl). TE-LAT examination revealed all animals to be positive for trypanosomiasis. Following treatment with isometamidium chloride and hemostatic agents, all patients recovered. Present study inferred that occurrence of epistaxis in buffalo should prompt concerns about trypanosomiasis leading clinician to recommend haemo-protozoal examinations in such instances.