Etiology of some diseases in calves raised under extensive conditions in the Paranaiba region of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil

Abstract

Some diseases were studied in Nellore beef calves raised under extensive conditions. Animals in groups A, B and C, who received supplementation with different mineral mixtures, were observed daily and sick animals were examined clinically; blood and faecal samples were taken for analysis. Diarrhea was the main clinical sign and Escherichia coli was the agent most frequently isolated. Salmonella newport; S. give, Proteus sp. and Enterobacter sp. were also identified. Strongyloides papillosus was found principally in animais up to 150 days old. Efmeria spp. were found in 17 samples. In groups A and B, 8,0% of the animals showed patent infections of Babesia spp., in group C, 3,8% were positive. The animals of groups A, B and C showed 18.0, 12.0 and 13.5% patent infections of Anaplasma margínale, respectively. Examinations of the mouth showed the presence of "swollen jaw" ("cara inchada") in calves of the three groups. No significant difference (P > 0.05) was found between the three groups, even when healthy and sick animals were compared.