Post Parturient Haemoglobinuria

It is disease of high producing animals. It occurs after parturition and is characterized by straining during defecation, red urine, hemoglobinurea, anemia; and death may occur in this disease.

Etiology:
The major cause of this disease is phosphorus deficiency. It is more common in buffalo as compared to cattle.

Predisposing factors:

• The diet deficient in phosphorus leads to post parturient hemoglobin urea.

• There is deficiency of phosphorus in plants like turnips, brassica, reddish leaves and beat pulp.

• Usually animal in 3^rd – 4^th lactation are more prone to this disease as compared to in first, second lactations.

• Deficiency of copper in soil. Copper is essential part of an enzyme dismutase which is necessary for hemopoiesis.

• Animal in dry period have normal phosphorus. But lactating animals have deficiency of phosphorus and calcium. So more prone to it.

• It is more common 2-4 weeks after parturition. Incidence of this disease is low but mortality upto 50 %. This disease does not occur in beef cattle.

• Ingestion of cold water also leads to hemolysis.

Clinical Findings:

• Hemoglobinuria

• Lack of appetite   

• Weakness develop suddenly

• Severe depression of the milk yield 

• Dehydration develops quickly

• Pale mucous membrane

• Temperature 103.5 ^oF

• Feaces dry and firm

• Low oxygen carrying capacity of RBCs will not fulfill the requirement of oxygen; there will be increase heart rate and respiration. So there will be difficult breathing and fast heart rate.

• In later stages there is jaundice

• Pica may be present

• Course of disease is 3-5 days

• Animal becomes stagger, weak and recombinant.

Diagnosis:
Through clinical pathology, signs and symptoms.

Treatment:

• Best treatment is blood transfusion upto 5 litres.

• Sodium acid phosphate Na₂H₂PO₄ 60 g/300 ml water of which is given through intravascularly or subcutaneously. Repeat after 12 hours. Route of administration depends upon the severity of disease. 100 g Na₂H₂PO₄ orally can be given for 5 days.

• CuSO₄ (acidified) 1-2 g orally for 10-15 days. It helps in hemopoiesis.

• B-complex, dextrose (if dehydration)

Control:
Avoid feeding Crusiferous plants. But if have to be given then also give wheat bran (phosphorus rich diet) along with it.

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