Epidemiological, clinico-diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of bovine respiratory disease in Indian buffaloes

Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD) is major health problem occurring worldwide in bovines, responsible for high morbidity and mortality in calves and heavy economic losses in terms of production losses in milch animals and cost of veterinary treatment. Hence the present study was planned to investigate epidemiological, clinico-diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of BRD in Indian buffaloes. A total of 805 buffaloes reported to TVCC, COVAS, Udgir during the study period were screened for Bovine respiratory disease. On the basis of history of varying degree of nasal discharge, coughing, dyspnoea and abnormal lung sounds, 37 buffaloes were found positive for BRD, indicating 4.60% overall prevalence. The haemoanalysis showed significant (P<0.01) leukocytosis associated with neutrophilia. The radiographic examination of thorax revealed variable degree of congestion and diffuse consolidation of lungs. The bacteria isolated from nasal swabs were Staphylococcus sp., Streptococcus sp., E. coli, Corynebacterium sp., Klebsiella sp., Manheimia haemolytica, Brevundimonas sp. and Pseudomonas sp. Antibiogram of pure culture organisms isolated from BRD affected buffaloes revealed highest sensitivity for gentamicin (83.33%), followed by enrofloxacin (58.33%), ceftiofur sodium (50.00%), moxifloxacin (33.33%). Thirty-one BRD affected buffaloes were randomly distributed in four groups and treated with gentamicin 4 mg/ kg, enrofloxacin 5 mg/kg, moxifloxacin 5 mg/kg and ceftiofur 1.6 mg/kg respectively. All treated buffaloes from different groups clinically cured within 5 to 15 days. Based on results of current therapeutic trial, gentamicin proved most effective and economic in treatment of BRD in buffaloes.