A Rare Incidence of Sweating Sickness-Like Symptoms in a Crossbred Holstein Friesian Cow in Chattogram, Bangladesh

Abstract

In this report, an incidence of sweating sickness-like symptoms in a crossbred Holstein Friesian cow was diagnosed. The cow was suffering from vaporization of the skin, dehydration, wet hair coat, and matting of hair due to excessive sweating. There were several ticks, flies, and mosquitoes in tail switch and other parts of the body. Blood and urine parameters were tested. We treated the patient successfully with ivermectin as ectoparasite control, ceftiofur sodium antibiotic to treat bacterial infections, ketoprofen as analgesics and antipyretics, chlorpheniramine maleate as H₂-blocker, and trichlorfon and povidone-iodine skin spray to prevent fly invasion and prevent opportunistic bacterial infection, respectively. Acyclovir and oil of turpentine were suggested to be sprayed on the floor and wall of the shed for viral and ectoparasitic control. Our treatment regime successfully recovered the cow with no recurrence.

Figure 1

Sweating sickness-like symptoms in a cow. (a) Area of excessive sweating (indicated by arrows) represented by glistening on exposure to light; (b) wet skin, matting of hair, and presence of fly (arrow). (c) Haematopinus sp. lice and (d) Haemaphysalis sp. ticks were identified by their morphology and microscopic examination.