The dynamics of Croptosporidium sp. infection in Halocur®-treated and untreated calves

The aim of this study was to determine the extensiveness and intensity of Cryptosporidium sp. infection in calves, before and after treatment with Halocur. Research oil intensity of infection and the efficiency of Halocur (R) was carried out on animals from herds diagnosed with acute diarrhoea (greenish-yellow watery excrements, with blood) caused by Cryptosporidium sp. Calves were divided into three groups: 1st group - 16 calves, 2nd group - 19 calves, 3rd group - 8 calves. In the 1st group, consisting of calves diagnosed with diarrhoea induced by Cryptosporidium sp. were given Halocur (R) orally within the first 12 hours after the occurrence of diarrhoea, in 2 mls/10 kgs m.c. a day doses for 7 days. In the 2nd group - the new-born calves received Halocur (R) within the first 24 hours after birth in 2 mls / 10 kgs m.c. per os / a day (loses for 7 days. The 3rd group was the control. We observed that with Cryptosporidium sp. infection in the examined calves, the peak of oocyst excretion was from 9 to 15 days after birth. Treatment with Halocur (R) after the occurrence of diarrhoea reduced the number of excreted oocysts on the 10th day by about 50% in the 1st group, and by about 75% in the 2nd group, compared with the control. In herds diagnosed with diarrhoea caused by Cryptosporidium sp., it is more effective to give Halocur (R) to all new-born calves within the first 24 hours after birth.