Cryptosporidiosis in a 10-day old cria
A ten-day-old, 7.2 kg (15 lb, 14 oz) female cria was presented to the Cornell University Hospital for Animals, Equine and Farm Animal Hospital for evaluation of a one-day history of dian-hea. On presentation, she was bright, alert and responsive and approximately 5% dehydrated with a body condition score of 2/9 and vital parameters within normal limits. Initial diagnostics revealed a high number of Cryptosporidium sp. oocysts in her feces. This was supported by a highly positive fecal Cryptosporidium ELISA. A camelid serum IgG level was measured and indicated failure of passive transfer. The cria was hospitalized in isolation with her dam for supportive care including intravenous fluid boluses, a plasma transfusion, thiamine supplementation, ceftiofur, pantoprazole, lactase and flunixin meglumine. Serial packed cell volume/total protein, and blood glucose measurements, as well as complete blood counts, were monitored throughout her hospitalization to ensure a decreased systemic inflammatory response and positive response to treatment. After 8 days in isolation, the cria was discharged to the care of her owners. Cryptosporidium is an extremely important parasite of camelids and ruminants, particularly neonates, which causes a malabsorptive, watery dian-hea. If not addressed with proper herd management techniques and/or medical intervention in the form of supp011ive care, neonatal cryptosporidiosis can lead to high herd mortality. This case presentation discusses the treatment and management of cases of cryptosporidiosis in neonates, specifically those with failure of passive transfer.