A three year follow-up study on the occurrence of bovine ehrlichiosis (cowdriosis) at Gondar University dairy farm

Bovine ehrlichiosis (cowdriosis) is an acute, fatal, non-contagious, infectious, tick-borne rickettsial disease of ruminants, caused by Ehrlichia ruminantium and transmitted by Amblyomma ticks. During the 3 years period, 37 cases were examined at the University of Gondar dairy farms with diagnosis based on clinical, post-mortem and squash smear preparations. The age of animals which showed clinical signs ranged from two months to 3.5 years, with an average of 1.27 years. Most cases were aged less than one year. Cases were recorded throughout the year; however, it was more prevalent in the rainy season than others. Of the 37 cases, 26 (70.27%) were female and 11 (29.73%) were male. Clinical signs observed include a body temperature of 37 to 41.5°C, reduced or no food consumption, depression, conjunctival congestion, grunting, shivering, head pressing, excessive chewing, salivation and self inflected trauma. The most commonly observed findings at post-mortem examination were hydro-pericardium, peticheal or generalized haemorrhages in the peritoneum and other organs. The economic loss to the farm, during the period of study was 7884.67USD (142,924.20 Birr {Ethiopian Currency}). The disease should be included in the differential diagnosis of febrile conditions, so that the appropriate treatment and control measures can be implemented, as early as possible.