A rare incidence of Sweating Sickness in a cross-bred Holstein Friesian cow

Abstract

Sweating sickness is a less-frequent tick-borne toxicosis of cattle characterized by excessive sweating. In this report, a rare incidence of sweating sickness in a cross-bred Holstein Friesian cow was diagnosed. The cow was suffering from recurrent occurrence of vaporization of skin, dehydration, wet hair coat and matting of hairs due to excessive sweating. There were a number of ticks, flies and mosquitoes in tail switch and other parts of the body. We treated the patient successfully with ivermectin as ectoparasite control, ceftiofur sodium to prevent secondary bacterial infections, ketoprofen as analgesics and antipyretics, chlorpheniramine maleate as H2-blocker, trichlorfon and povidone-iodine skin spray to prevent fly invasion and secondary skin infections. Acyclovir and oil of turpentine was suggested to spray the shed as ectoparasite control. We recommend the prompt diagnosis of patients with sweating sickness by carefully taken clinical history and significant clinical signs, however, blood tests may further aid in diagnosis. We further suggest to follow our treatment procedure for successful management of the patient