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Management of Bovine Ephemeral Fever in Crossbred cattle

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Intas Polivet (2015) Vol. 16 (II): 411-413 Clinical Article

Management of Bovine Ephemeral Fever in Crossbred cattle

P.M. Lunagariya1, S.V. Shah 2, B.D. Desai3, D.P. Pandya4 and B.S. Divekar 5
Livestock Research Station
College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry
Anand Agricultural University (AAU)
Anand - 388110 (Gujarat)

Abstract
Bovine ephemeral fever was observed in animals with signs of biphasic temperature, nasal discharge, depressed,
off feed condition, muscle twisting, shivering, ruminal atony and watery ocular discharges. Two heifers were
recumbent for five days. One heifer was cured with additional five day treatment. One rare and unusual pregnant
heifer culminated in to a paralytic form. Three day treatment with phenylbutazone and sodium salicylates (analgesic
and anti-inflammatory), Chlorpheniramine maleate (Anti-allergic), Dextrose, Calcium gluconate and antibiotics cured
most cases. The paralytic heifer was administered Mannitol, massaged with Turpentine liniment and extra nursing
care. The cured heifer produced healthy calf.
Keywords: Bovine ephemeral fever; crossbred; management

Introduction inflammation of mesodermal tissues as

Bovine ephemeral fever is an economically
important viral disease of cattle and buffalo. The
disease is also known as three day sickness.
This disease occurs in Africa, Australia, Asian
countries and Middle East. Its impact includes
loss in production - decreased milk yield, loss of
condition, abortion, temporary infertility in bulls,
and prolonged recovery in some animals. In dairy
herd, there is considerable economic loss in
terms of milk production. It also lowers the
resistance against mastitis and impairs
reproduction. The Morbidity rate in outbreak is
usually about 35-40% but in favorable
environmental condition and population at high
risk it may rich up to 100%. Although usual
mortality rate is one percent (usually low) or less,
cattle in good condition are affected more severely.
Mortality rates is reported as high as 30% in very
fat cattle.
Bovine ephemeral fever is caused by a single-
stranded RNA, ether-sensitive rhabdovirus with
five structural proteins. Bovine ephemeral fever
virus is a member of genus Ephemero virus in
the family Rhabdoviridae. It is characterized by
1. Assistant Research Scientist and Corresponding
author. E-mail: drpravinml@gmail.com
2. Associate Research Scientist and Head
3. Ex. Senior Research Associate
4. Post Graduate Scholar
5. Assistant Research Scientist
evidenced by muscular shivering, stiffness,
lameness and enlargement of peripheral lymph
nodes. It is transmitted by insect vectors. The
sources of infection have been insects like sand
fly, Ceratopogonidae family. Spread is largely
independent of cattle movement and
transmission does not occur through contact with
infected animal or saliva or ocular discharge. The
disease does not spread through semen also.
The disease occurs in hot humid months and
spread depends largely on the insect vector
population. Among all domestic animals, only
cattle are known to be naturally affected but
antibodies can be found in African ruminant
wildlife as well. All age group of cattle are found to
be susceptible. After experimental infection of
cattle, there is solid immunity against
homologous strains for up to 2 years. Some
animals may develop oedema of submandibular
area, around eye or some parts of head. The
animals may develop shifting lameness, stiffness
and joint pain; the joints may or may not be
swollen. The lameness can be severe enough to
mimic a fracture or dislocation. Pulmonary
emphysema and rales may be found in severe
cases (Wang et al., 2001; Radostits et al., 2005;
OIE; Walker 2005 and Yerham et al., 2010). Many
animals, particularly cows in good condition and
bulls, become recumbent for hours to days. Most
animals lie in sternal recumbency, but in severe

411
 Management of ephemeral fever
cases, animals may become laterally recumbent.
Some animals temporarily lose their reflexes and
are unable to rise. Recumbent animals may be
bloated, have ruminal stasis or lose their
swallowing reflex. These clinical signs can be
exagerated by severe environmental stress or
forced exercise. Most animals begin to improve a
day or two after the first symptoms appear and
recover completely within another one to two days.
Generally, animals lose condition rapidly during
the illness and regain their weight slowly
(Radostits et al., 2005). Complications are
uncommon but can include temporary or
permanent paralysis, as well as gait impairment,
aspiration pneumonia, emphysema, mastitis and
subcutaneous accumulation of air along the back
(Theodoridis and Coetzer, 1979). Many of these
complications may be the result of trauma or
complications of recumbency. Temporary infertility
(up to 6 months) can develop in bulls and
abortions can occur in cows. Permanent infertility
is rare (Burgess and Genoweth, 1975). In
recovered animals, milk production is decreased
by 10-15% for the rest of lactation, but usually
returns to normal after subsequent pregnancies.
Cows that become ill late in lactation may not
return to production (Davis et al., 1984). Death is
uncommon, but may occur during either febrile
or convalescent stage. Deaths are usually the
result of secondary complications such as
pneumonia or trauma.
Animal after recovery
History and Clinical observations
Several cases (2%) of Bovine ephemeral fever
were reported in the month of September' 2014
a - Brand of Zoetis India Ltd., Mumbai
b - Brand of Intas Animal Health, Ahmedabad.
c - Brand of Denis Chem Lab Limited, Chhatral
412
at organized dairy farm. This was late monsoon
period mostly characterized by more population
of fly, mosquitoes and other vectors. The affected
animals were crossbred heifers. The clinical
signs on first day were profuse nasal discharge,
stiffness of legs and high fever (104.6 to 105.80F),
depressed and off feed. The pattern of high
temperature was biphasic in nature. On the
second day of illness, more severe symptoms
were observed, with a second elevation in
temperature. Animals became inappetent and
depressed with increased heart rate, laboured
breathing, atony of rumen, profuse salivation,
muscle twisting, shivering, watery ocular
discharge and serous discharges from nostrils.
Most of affected animals were crossbred heifers
of two year and above. Two heifers were unable
to rise, lied in sternal recumbent position. One
pregnant heifer lost reflexes in hind and fore limb
and recumbent laterally. After lateral recumbency,
it was bloated and complete off-fed. The
subcutaneous emphysema and swelling on neck
side was also visible. The heifer started
movement to stand up after eighteen days and
completely stood up on 20th day.
Diagnosis
On basis of occurrence pattern and clinical
signs, cases were diagnosed as Bovine
ephemeral fever.
Treatment and Discussion
The affected animal was daily treated with Inj.
Artizone-Sa @ 4 ml/100 kg, Inj. Anistaminb @ 4 ml/
100kg and Inj. QuinIntasb 6 ml/100 kg b. wt.
intramuscularly for three day. The affected animals
were given daily Inj. Dextrosec 25%, 1000ml and
Inj. Tribivet b (Thiamine Hydrochloride 50 mg,
Pyridoxine Hydrochloride 50 mg, Cyanocoba-
lamin 500 mcg/ml) 15 ml/ animal intra venous for
three days. All affected animals were also injected
Inj. Qualidropsa (Calcium Gluconate equivalent
to calcium 1.86% W /V) 500 ml intra venous on
second day of disease reported. Treatment was
advocated to support energy and vitamin
requirement as required in convalescent heifers.
Calcium was given to maintain blood calcium
level as it lowers in affected animals. Radostits
et al. (2005) and Uren et al. (1989) described the
 Lunagariya et al.
treatment of Bovine ephemeral fever with non-
steroidal anti-inflammatory like phenylbutazone
(8 mg/kg at 8 hour intervals), Flunixine meglumine
(2.2 mg/kg/d) or Ketoprofen (3 mg/kg/day) to ease
the sign of inflammation and pain. In our case,
Phenylbutazone and Sodium salicylates were
given to ease inflammation and pain.
Chlorpheniramine maleate was given intra
muscularly to act as anti-allergic in respiratory
distress. Enrofloxacin was administered to
prevent secondary bacterial infection. All affected
animals except two crossbred heifer showed
improvement with above mentioned treatment
and were completely cured after three days.
Rectal temperature, movement and feeding
behavior became normal after third day. Nasal,
ocular and mouth discharge were also normal
after third day. Two crossbred heifer were in sternal
and later on second day, laterally recumbent.
When heifers was on lateral recumbency bloated
due to gas resulted due to inability to escape.
The crossbred heifer bloat relived after pushed
to sternal recumbency. The heifers were daily
treated with above mentioned schedule for
another five days. Additional change in heifer
treatment was with Inj. Capsola 10 ml/animal
Intramuscularly and Inj. Qualidrops 500 ml intra
venous alternatively at every second day for
thirteen day. Inj . Capsola a contains Calcium
Glucolactobionate 137.5 mg, Vitamin D3 5000 IU,
Vitamin B12 50 mcg/ml. One heifer started some
movement with fore and hind leg after five days
and stood up on 8th day. One recumbent pregnant
heifer was lifted with chain pulley and shifted to
comfortable site (covered shed with bedding
material). Heifer was lifted for two hours and leg
massaged with warm water every day. After 8 th
day of treatment heifer was also given daily Inj.
Mannitold 20%, 100 ml intra-venous in addition to
daily regular treatment for twelve days. The
liniment of Terpentine massaged on hind and
fore leg daily for four days. Continuous
improvement was noted and on 20 th day heifer
stood up. The heifer was pregnant and housed
individually with special care on feeding. The heifer
delivered a normal female calf (22.4 kg) after
normal pregnancy period.
d - Brand of Nirlife (Nirma Limited- Healthcare Division)
413
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Conclusion
Bovine ephemeral fever usually recovers within
three days when treated with non-steroidal anti-
inflammatory, anti-allergic, antibiotics and calcium
therapy. The paralytic heifer recovered with
treatment of calcium, vitamin, dextrose and
mannitol for period of twelve days. The healthy
calf achieved by special nutritional and
managemental care of recumbent heifer.
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