Livestock Farmer

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Heartwater-A Tick Borne Disease

HEARTWATER Another Tick-Borne Disease. What is heartwater ? Heartwater is a rickettsial infection ( Cowdria ruminantium ) transmitted by bont ticks of the genus Amblyomma.This ticks are big and brightly patterned.They are easily recognised by Stock-holders. How Heartwater obtained it's name  "Heartwater" "Heartwater" was a name given to this tick bont disease after the main symptom of post mortem examination seen shows an accumulation of fluids in body cavities,such as the peritoneum surrounding the heart,in the chest, and abdominal cavities. Other than ECF (East Coast Fever),heatwater is number three of tick-borne diseases- which is always very server and usually kills the animal very very quickly especially after the first clinical symptoms are observed.Hence,this makes it very hard to treat it to it's entirety. Which Types Of Animals are most vurlranabled to Heartwater? The following types of animals are affected by Heartwater;• • Sheep • Goats • Cattle Which Predilection Sites Are For The Attachment By Bont Ticks? The predilection sites for bont ticks are; • Udder • Teats • Scrotum • Tails  & • Bare parts of the skin NOTE:-BONT TICKS HAVE BIG MOUTH PARTS AND CAUSE SERIOUS DAMAGES TO CATTLE,PARTICULARLY TO THE TEATS,WHICH CAN BE TOTALY DESTROYED BY ONLY 1 OR 2 TICKS- farmers should therefore kill them. Activity of  Heartwater parasites In host. The heatwater parasites  usually infects the cells that line blood vessels and capillaries(the endothelial cells) and causes the symptoms of heartwater apparently by making them leak body fluids. SYMPTOMS OF HEARTWATER DISEASE IN A COW. #1. The temperature of the affected cow usually rises up to 40- 42°c #2•Accumulations of fluids in the cavities e.g abdominal cavities,areas of the heart,and chest. #3• At advanced stage,the animal becomes uncoordinated in its movements and walks by raising its feets much higher than usual,like a horse trotting. #4• Finally, it lies down and "paddles" its legs before dying. When the above symptoms are seen,its usually too late for treatment to be effective. DIAGNOSIS: Diagnosiss of heatwater is best done by eliminating other possibilities and also looking for bont ticks on the animal.You may then suspects heartwater. Post mortem diagnosis is done by looking for fluids in the body cavities and taking a smear of tissue from cortex of the brain,staining it and examining it for the presence of colonies of Cowdria in the endothelial cells of the capillaries.You must be careful when handling the brain in case the animal was suffering  from rabies.If heartwater is diagnosed in a dead animal, this may be helpful in diagnosing further cases in the same location- Since heartwatet often occurs in several animals in a short period. TREATMENT The only drug that is effective against heartwater is tetracycline. Heartwater may be preciptated from the carrier state by ECF,but this is not certain. Heartwater is very difficult to diagnose,while  bont ticks are so common.Hence farmers are advised to reduce the level of tick control after ECFiM immunisation. As with anaplasmosis and babesiosis,bur not ECF,calves are more resistant to heartwater disease than are older cattle,so exposure of calves to a few bont ticks may allow them to become infected recover and become immune.

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