An occurrence of clinical balantidiasis in a cross bred cow and its therapeutic management

The diarrhoeic manifestations in cattle, incidental to the infection with Balantidium sp. are fairly uncommon and/or under reported on account of obvious reasons. At times, the parasite may cause ulcerative lesions in the caecum/colon and consequential diarrhoea. A cross bred cow (Holestein x Rathi), aged 7 years and weighing approx. 350 kg was presented with the history of passing out loose faeces for the past 15 days, a progressive drop in the daily milk yield and persistently losing her general condition. Copro examination revealed infection of Balantidium coli var bovis. The animal was therapeutically managed successfully, while forth with administering fluid therapy to overcome dehydration. This was followed by specific therapy comprising of metronidazole and tetracycline.