Page 4 - Cryptosporidiosis in neonatal calves

PAGE 4 Cryptosporidiosis in neonatal calves

Diagnosis

It is not possible to distnguish cryptosporidiosis from the other neonatal enteric diseases on clinical signs alone as
these are non-specifc.
(a) Defnitve diagnosis is difcult and requires specifc tests to be carried out either by a veterinary laboratory
or the veterinary practtoner. However, an accurate diagnosis is critcal for the successful implementaton
of control and preventatve measures. This can be carried out by using a rapid diagnostc kit, or by sending
samples to a suitable laboratory that uses microscopy and/or molecular identfcaton techniques.
(b) It is important to diferentate cryptosporidiosis from disease caused by other common neonatal enteric
pathogens such as rotavirus, coronavirus, E-coli and Salmonella spp.

Ideal specimens for diagnosis:
(i) Faecal samples (collected in sterile plastc containers) from untreated, scouring calves should be submited
to the nearest suitable laboratory during the early stages of an episode of diarrhoea in a group of calves.

(ii) Dead neonatal calves should be taken to a laboratory for post-mortem examinaton.

Treatment

There is no routne drug regime that is consistently successful, thus a palliatve or supportve approach to treatment
is required.
Afected calves:

(a) Ensure all ill calves are isolated and housed in a clean, warm and dry environment.
(b) Give one or two extra feeds (2 litres each) of a good quality oral rehydraton soluton (see AHI leafet:
Management of the scouring calf) as soon as the calf starts scouring and while it is scouring.
(c) Contnue to ofer scouring calves normal amounts of milk or milk replacer as long as they want to drink.
Suckler calves should be lef with their dams.
(d) Treat the calves with halofuginone lactate for C. parvum infecton. Although the therapeutc impact of
using this drug in scouring calves is equivocal, it may reduce the severity of disease if administered early
in the course of infecton. Please note that as this product is a prescripton only medicine (POM) and a
prescripton from your veterinary practtoner is required to obtain it.
(e) In cases of mixed infecton involving other neonatal pathogens, control measures appropriate for the
specifc agent should be insttuted.

Unafected calves:

Good hygiene and management will reduce the chance of infecton spreading
(i) All unafected healthy calves should be moved immediately from the contaminated environment.

(ii) Administraton of halofuginone lactate to in-contact calves limits the impact of infecton.