1Division of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology-Jammu, R.S. Pura-181 102, Jammu and Kashmir, India
2Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, Nanaji Deshmukh Veterinary Science University, Jabalpur-482 001, Madhya Pradesh, India
3Division of Veterinary Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Faculty of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology-Jammu, R.S. Pura-181 102, Jammu and Kashmir, India
*Corresponding Author: R. Agrawal, Division of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology-Jammu, R.S. Pura-181 102, Jammu and Kashmir, India, Email: rajesh.agrawal76@gmail.com
Online published on 10 July, 2023.
Cryptosporidiosis is the disease of zoonotic importance and is considered to be third major cause of diarrhoeal disease of calves worldwide causing significant economic losses. The present study aimed to link Cryptosporidium spp. infections in dairy calves with the management practices as a major risk factor.
Total 401 faecal samples from dairy calves were collected from eight large (100-1000 animals) and eight medium size (30-100 animals) dairy farms located in Jabalpur (Madhya Pradesh, India). Cryptosporidium oocysts were identified in faeces by modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining (mZN) and formal ether concentration techniques.
The prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. was 28.7% in dairy calves. A higher prevalence and risk of cryptosporidiosis was associated with large farms (24.9% vs. 3.74%, OR=1.96), intensive farming system (27.7% vs. 0.99%, OR=1.86), drinking ground water (27.7% vs. 0.99%, OR=1.86), dirty farms (16.7% vs. 11.6%, OR=1.90), presence of other animals at farm (15.9% vs. 12.7%, OR=1.36), absence of deworming (14.7% vs.13.9%, OR=5.09) and diarrhoea treatment practice (16.2% vs. 12.5%, OR=1.07). Multianimal calving area, dirty calving pen and cemented floor were also identified as risk factors. Practices like feeding colostrum within one hour of birth, @ 10% b.wt./day, weaning the calves within 24 hrs and using detergent to wash feeding utensils decreased the risk of infection from 1.4 to 2 times. Calves kept confined with their dam had greater prevalence and risk of infection (17.2% vs. 11.5%, OR=5.20). The findings highlight that proactive managemental practices are beneficial for decreasing the environmental contamination and improving calf health.
Cryptosporidium spp, Dairy calves, Management practices, Risk factor
