REDWATER FEVER

Redwater Fever, otherwise known as babesiosis, is a blood-borne protozoan disease. Most people think the illness is transmitted by ticks. When a tick attaches itself to a cow to sustain blood, they inject Babesia into the cow’s bloodstream if it is affected. Babesia grows within red blood cells, damaging them and releasing the remaining bacteria into the pee.

TYPES

Types of Redwater Fever include:

  • African Redwater. This type is spread to cattle by infected ticks. When ticks feed on carriers or sick animals, they get infected. It is passed down from the larval phase to the nymphal and mature stages of the ticks. Female ticks deposit their eggs on the ground, and infected ticks fall off disease-affected or carrier animals.
  • Asiatic/European Redwater Disease. This disease spread similarly. However, only the larval stage spreads the disease; the female tick becomes sick and passes it to its progeny. Furthermore, the Babesia bovis parasite causes the illness, which spreads via the R. vulnificus larval stage.

SYMPTOMS

A tiny number of cattle will develop fatal clinical symptoms, but a considerably high percentage will develop modest subclinical indicators such as a slight fever, anorexia, and general malaise. Even if you don’t see the characteristic crimson urine, Redwater should be on your mind if your cattle are grazing tick-infested terrain and you see any indications of illness.

  • Getting higher of temperature
  • Diarrhea that stops after 36 hours and turns into constipation 
  • Red urine that grows darker with time (due to hemoglobin generated by the bursting of red blood cells)
  • Increasing of pulse rate
  • Abortion of pregnant cows 
  • Death is rare in babesiosis in the United Kingdom

DIAGNOSIS

Diagnosis will vary, based on the above-mentioned clinical symptoms. It will also depend on:

  • Tick-infested fields have been visited recently
  • The parasite can be detected using blood smears

TREATMENT

Treatment includes supportive therapy for the main clinical symptoms, including fluid therapy to fight dehydration and, in extreme instances, a blood transfusion to address anemia. Like in other illnesses, early intervention can improve recovery chances.

  • Mild instances can heal without the need for medication.
  • In more severe instances, therapy is a requirement. It is sometimes the best when coupled with preventive therapy. Moreover, it is a decision that should be taken on a farm-by-farm basis in collaboration with your veterinarian.

Related Articles

TETRALOGY OF FALLOT

Overview and FactsTypes and SymptomsDiagnosis & MedicationsOverview and Facts Tetralogy of Fallot is a congenital heart defect that affects the [...]

TRICHINOSIS

Overview and FactsTypes and SymptomsDiagnosis & MedicationsOverview and Facts Trichinosis, also known as trichinellosis, is a parasitic infection caused by [...]

TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA

Overview and FactsTypes and SymptomsDiagnosis & MedicationsOverview and Facts Trigeminal neuralgia is a neurological condition characterized by severe facial pain. [...]