Abstract
Bovine ehrlichiosis (cowdriosis) is an acute, fatal, non-contagious, infectious, tick-borne rickettsial disease of ruminants, caused by Ehrlichia ruminantium and transmitted by Amblyomma ticks. During the 3 years period, 37 cases were examined at the University of Gondar dairy farms with diagnosis based on clinical, post-mortem and squash smear preparations. The age of animals which showed clinical signs ranged from two months to 3.5 years, with an average of 1.27 years. Most cases were aged less than one year. Cases were recorded throughout the year; however, it was more prevalent in the rainy season than others. Of the 37 cases, 26 (70.27%) were female and 11 (29.73%) were male. Clinical signs observed include a body temperature of 37 to 41.5°C, reduced or no food consumption, depression, conjunctival congestion, grunting, shivering, head pressing, excessive chewing, salivation and self inflected trauma. The most commonly observed findings at post-mortem examination were hydro-pericardium, peticheal or generalized haemorrhages in the peritoneum and other organs. The economic loss to the farm, during the period of study was 7884.67USD (142,924.20 Birr {Ethiopian Currency}). The disease should be included in the differential diagnosis of febrile conditions, so that the appropriate treatment and control measures can be implemented, as early as possible. Key words: Longitudinal study, cowdriosis, dairy farm, clinical observations, post-mortem, squash smear examination.
Highlights
Bovine ehrlichiosis is an infectious and tick-borne disease of ruminants caused by the rickettsial organism, Ehrlichia ruminantium and transmitted by ticks of the genus Amblyomma, Amblyomma variegatum and Amblyomma habraeum which are widespread in Ethiopia (Mekonnen et al, 2001; Tessema and Gashaw, 2010), including Gondar (Miruts, 2010)
From a total of 80 animals observed for a period of three years, developed bovine ehrlichiosis, with an average incidence of 12.33 cases/annum (3.05 standard deviation (SD)) or 15% of the herd
This study has demonstrated an annual incidence of 12.33 animals/annum (15% of the herd) succumbing to cowdriosis in one susceptible dairy herd, where there was clinical monitoring and treatment, with implementation of vector control measures
Summary
Bovine ehrlichiosis ( known as heartwater or cowdriosis) is an infectious and tick-borne disease of ruminants caused by the rickettsial organism, Ehrlichia ruminantium (formerly Cowdria ruminantium) and transmitted by ticks of the genus Amblyomma, Amblyomma variegatum and Amblyomma habraeum which are widespread in Ethiopia (Mekonnen et al, 2001; Tessema and Gashaw, 2010), including Gondar (Miruts, 2010). The disease is endemic in sub-Saharan African countries (Deem et al, 1996a; McMillan and Meltzer, 1996; Radostits et al, 2007), and it has a serious negative impact on livestock productivity, with high morbidity and mortality rates (up to 90%) in susceptible ruminants. European breeds are generally more susceptible than. Health more susceptible than indigenous African breeds (OIE, 2011)
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