HEMATO-BIOCHEMICAL PROFILING OF THEILERIA-INFECTED CATTLE AND BUFFALOES: AN IN-DEPTH INVESTIGATION INTO CLINICAL SIGNALMENT AND PATHOPHYSIOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS

Bovine theileriosis is considered as a major barrier to improving output from India's vast bovine population. A one-year study was conducted to determine the hematobiochemical alterations and Clinical signs in Theileria infected cattle and buffaloes in Indore district from July 2022 to June 2023. In a group of 480 dairy animals, 72 tested positive, resulting in an incidence rate of 15%. The incidence of theileriosis was found to be significantly different (p0.01) between cattle (21.25%) and buffaloes (8.75%). Theileria-infected cattle showed significant declines (p0.01) in Hb, PCV, TEC, lymphocytes, and MCHC, while total leukocyte count increased (p0.01). Basophils and MCV did not change significantly. Infected buffaloes had increased TLC, basophils and decreased mean Hb, PCV and lymphocytes. No changes were found in eosinophils. Significant increases in ALT, AST, creatinine, bilirubin, and BUN were found (p0.01) in dairy animals. Predominant clinical signs observed in animals suffering from theileriosis were reduced milk yield (100%), swollen prescapular lymph node (83.33%), fever (88.89%), anorexia (58.33%), anaemia (58.33%), depression (51.39%), and respiratory distress (45.83%) recorded, respectively.