Epizootology and measures to combat cryptosporidiosis in calves on the farm of the OOO Sibirskaya Niva

Abstract

Prevention of gastrointestinal diseases in young farm animals remains an important issue at the current stage of animal husbandry development in Russia. Protozoa of the genus Cryptosporidium play a significant role in the occurrence of diarrhea in young animals. The research goal was to determine the therapeutic and prophylactic efficacy of some drugs against protozoa of the Sporozoa class. The study was conducted on the cattle farm Penkovo of the OOO Sibirskaya Niva in the Maslyaninskiy District of the Novosibirsk Region from August to November 2023. The research targets were 30 calves of the age from 3 to 14 days with signs of cryptosporidiosis infection. Three groups of 10 calves were formed - 2 trial groups and 1 control group. By the data from the casebook and own research findings, from January to October 2023, the dynamics of morbidity was determined depending on the season. The experiment involved the examination data of 224 calves of the age from 3 to 90 days with signs of cryptosporidiosis. From April to June, a decrease of the number of infected animals was observed, amounting to 30 calves (13.39%) in April, 25 calves (11.16%) in May and 10 calves (4.46%) in June. The incidence rates remained within 4.91-8.03% in the summer-autumn period, gradually increasing, so; according to the available data on sick animals, 11 calves (4.91%) were detected in July, 13 calves (5.8%) in August, 17 calves (7.58%) in September and 18 calves (8.03%) in October. Based on the data obtained, it may be concluded that the seasonal dynamics of calf incidence differs depending on the month of the year; the maximum infection rate was revealed in March (16.9%), and the minimum in June (4.5%). Positive results were obtained when using the drugs; the drug Azithronit had the highest efficacy. When it was used, the signs of diarrhea quickly disappeared, the calves recovered faster, their appetite was restored and weight gain increased.