Things to Watch for: Emerging Diseases – Theleria

       
   As a local veterinarian, I have always joked that I cannot back-up any truck bigger than my pickup truck and I am not much help in the field, but I am handy at animal husbandry and managing diseases. Basically, it’s my role to keep you apprised of what’s happening, what’s coming and how to prepare.
               
To start, many of you are familiar with Anaplasmosis. Anaplasmosis has been growing and spreading in Kansas for years and is here to stay. To summarize, this blood born BACTERIA is transmitted via blood, primarily by ticks and needles, and causes severe loss of red blood cells and subsequent death in mainly adult cattle. We use preventative options like CTC in feed, good parasite control and safe needle transmission protocols to combat the spread of this disease.

                The NEW problem, coming along is Theleria or Theileria orientalis. Theleria is also spread by ticks and other blood transmission methods (like our needles and large flies), BUT is what’s called a PROTOZOA parasite. This protozoan is transmitted by the invasive species of tick; The Asian Long-horned tick that emerged aseveral years ago in Virginia and is rapidly making its way west. Kansas has had positive animals on the eastern border.

Protozoa are not treatable in cattle. Antibiotics have no effect on this parasite, and we do not have any form of treatment once an animal is affected. All we can do is manage how we parasite control and how we transmit blood between animals. I recommend properly timed, highly effective pour-on treatments on a rotation through the tick season and changing needles between every animal on every syringe gun, every time. These practices cost more and are more labor intensive but are the only weapon we have against Theleria at this time.

Lauren Mack, DVM
The Animal Hospital
Plainville & Phillipsburg