Investigation of the efficacy of clinoptilotite in calves with cryptosporidiosis
Abstract
This study aims to investigate the efficacy of clinoptilolite in calves infected with Cryptosporidium. For this purpose, 30 animals monoinfected with Cryptosporidium and 10 healthy calves as a control group were included in the study, and in total four groups were formed. Fluid therapy was administered to all three groups to correct dehydration and acidosis of the calves. Clinoptilolite was administered to the first group at an oral dose of 1g/day and an oral dose of 1g/day and standard treatment was applied to the second group. The third group was treated with only standard treatment. Blood gas (pH, HCO3, Na++, Cl-, K +, Crea, BE) and blood biochemistry (AST, ALT, BUN, Glucose) measurements and feces scoring by inspection method (1=watery, 2=pudding consistency, 3=soft, 4=hard) were applied to the study groups. Statistical evaluation of the variables examined in the calves was made in SPSS 24.0 package program. In the second group, there was a significant increase in pH, HCO3- (p <0.05) and BE (p <0.01) compared to the first group, while a significant decrease in K+ (p <0.05) value was detected. In the second group, an increase in Na+, BE values (p <0.05), and a significant decrease in K+ value (p <0.05) compared to the third group were observed. There was no significant difference among the groups in blood biochemistry results (p> 0.05). Feces scores of calves with diarrhea after treatment were statistically improved at p<0.05 level in Groups 1 and 3, and at p<0.01 level in Group 2. It was determined that there were 4 calves in the first group, 9 calves in the second group, and 7 in the third group which showed signs of improvement. As a result, it was concluded that, in addition to standard treatment, the inclusion of clinoptilolite at a daily dose of 1g/kg orally for 5 days can contribute to the treatment of calves with Cryptosporidium, and that it is safe to be used on calves.
