Comparative Efficacy of Nitazoxanide and Sulphadimidine in the Treatment of Cryptosporidiosis in Bovine Calves

The present study was undertaken to assess the therapeutic efficacy of oral Nitaxoxanide and Sulphadimidine treatment against Cryptosporidium infection in bovine calves reared under field conditions. A total of 18 diarrhoeic calves naturally infected with Cryptosporidium infection were evaluated. Nitazoxanide was found to be very effective on the basis of disappearance of clinical signs, restoration of altered haemato-biochemical parameters to their normal level and 78.89% reduction in Cryptosporidium oocysts shedding. On the other contrary, sulphadimidine was found almost ineffective in the treatment of cryptosporidiosis in calves. Intravenous infusion of Ringer’s lactate and 5% Dextrose used as adjunct therapy for correction of fluid and electrolyte losses fastened the recovery.