Babesiases

parasitic blood diseases of animals caused by babesias. Babesiasis of cattle is the most important from the veterinary standpoint. The disease is widespread in Europe, Africa, and Asia wherever pasture ticks abound. It occurs mainly in the north, west, and south of the European part of the USSR and in Middle Asia. The causative agent is transmitted through the bites of pasture ticks. Affected animals develop a sharply rising body temperature and become listless. Constipation alternates with diarrhea. The animals lose weight rapidly. Milk yields decrease by 80 percent. The milk becomes yellow, sometimes reddish, and bitter. On the second or third day of the disease the urine becomes dark cherry red. Sheep abort. The disease lasts four to eight days. The mortality rate is 40 percent of the cows affected and about 80 percent of the sheep and goats. Animals that recover are immune to reinfection for two to three years.

Hemosporidin, acaprine, and others are efficacious drugs. Sick animals are completely rested and given green and succulent fodder. Prophylaxis includes destruction of ticks on animals and in pastures.