COMPARATIVE EFFICACY OF THREE PROTOCOLS FOR THE TREATMENT OF HAEMORRHAGIC SEPTICAEMIA IN BUFFALOES AND CATTLE

Abstract

A total of 50 animals (39 buffaloes and 11 cattle) suffering from haemorrhagic septicaemia (H.S.), selected from the field, were divided into 3 groups (A, B, C) and assigned randomly to either of three treatment protocols viz. A, B and C. Group A (20 animals) was treated with protocol A i.e. norfioxacin (Norfloxillin; Tarobina) + diclofenac sodium + Novacoc forte (Richter Pharma). Group B (20 animals) was treated with protocol B which was essentially the same as protocol A except that Novacoc forte was omitted. Group C (10 animals; control) was treated with one of conventional therapies of H.S. i.e. gentamicin + dipyron. The disease severity index of study animals under each treatment protocol was recorded at 0, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours from the start of treatment. All the treatments were started after application of cold water on head for 15 minutes. The treatment was repeated at 12, 24 and 48 hours after start of treatment as the situation warranted. The survival per cent was 85, 80 and 30 amongst animals treated respectively with protocol A, B and C. Three animals in group A and 2 in group B died after recovering completely. Excluding these animals from the recovered ones translated into net survival (percentage) of 70, 70, and 30 in group A, B, and C, respectively. In terms of reduction of severity of disease, there was significance difference (P < 0.05) between protocol C and A and between protocol C and B at 12 and 48 hours after treatment but there was non-significant difference at hour 24. Both treatment protocols A and B exploiting the use of a quinolone (norfloxacin) plus a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (diclofenac sodium) with or without a toxin neutralizer and circulatory-stimulant (Novacoc forte) were more effective than one of the conventional treatments i.e. gentamicin dipyron for the treatment of H.S.