Evaluation of clinical efficacy of gamithromycin in the treatment of naturally infected neonatal calves with cryptosporidiosis

Abstract

Aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical efficacy of ga - mithromycin in the treatment of naturally infected neonatal calves with cryptosporidiosis. Materials and Methods: 5-20 days old 20 diarrheic neonatal calves were used as material in this study. Diagnosis of cryptosporidiosis was made by micros - copic examination and ELISA test. Calves shedding Cryptosporidium oocysts between 4 x 10 4 and 15 x 10 6 per gram in feces were included in the study. He - mogram and blood gases were measured at the beginning of the treatment and after the treatment. A single dose of 6 mg/kg body weight of gamithromycin was administered subcutaneously. Drug efficacy was assessed by evaluating the existence of diarrhea, oocyst shedding and body condition from day 1 to 5. Results: On 5 th day, the medicated 6 calves had no oocysts, and number of oocysts in feces had been decreased in 11 calves on 5 th day. Statistically signifi - cant difference (p<0.05) was observed in the blood values at the beginning of the treatment and after the treatment. Conclusion: It has been determined that based on both clinical improvement and decrease in oocyst count in feces, gamithromycin was found to have mode - rate effect in the treatment of cryptosporidiosis in naturally infected neonatal calves.