Clinico-therapeutical and haematological studies on babesiosis in and around the Livestock Experimental Station Qadirabad in Lohi sheep

310 Lohi sheep were examined for the presence of babesiosis. Out of 310 Lohi sheep, 30 were found positive showed 9.67% prevalence. For treatment protocol, thirty naturally infected and ten non-infected sheep were selected and divided into four groups having ten sheep in each group i.e. A, B, C and D. Diagnosis was confirmed on the basis of blood smear method, which revealed the presence of Babesia. The parasite appeared as piriform bodies within the light pink erythrocytes. The animals of group A were treated with diminazene (Diminazene diaceturate) at a dose rate of 3.5 mg/kg body weight at zero day. Three out of ten animals recovered at 3rd day of first injection, three animals recovered at 7th day of first injection, two recovered at 10th day of first injection, while two animals did not show any improvement and might be chronically infected. This drug showed 80% efficacy at 10th day while the animals of group B were treated with Imizol (Imidocarb dipropionate) at a dose rate of 2mg/kg body weight at zero day. Six out of ten animals recovered at 3rd day of first injection, three recovered at 7th day of first injection and remaining one recovered at 10th day of first injection. This drug showed 100% efficacy at 10th day. Animals of group C were served as infected untreated control while animals of group D were served as healthy control. Efficacy of drugs was detected by negative blood smear. Imizol gave best results where as Diminazene was second in efficacy against babesiosis. Haematological examination revealed a significant decrease in Hb and PCV in group A and C on 3rd, 7th and 10th day post medication as compared to group B. From the results of present study, it has been concluded that Imidocarb dipropionate (Imizol) was the drug of choice for the treatment of ovine babeslosis in Lohi sheep when given at the dose rate of 2mg/kg body weight by intramuscular route.