30/08/2025
🔎 𝘉𝘓𝘖𝘖𝘋𝘠 𝘜𝘙𝘐𝘕𝘌 𝘐𝘕 𝘊𝘈𝘛𝘛𝘓𝘌 – 𝘊𝘈𝘜𝘚𝘌𝘚, 𝘋𝘈𝘕𝘎𝘌𝘙𝘚 & 𝘚𝘖𝘓𝘜𝘛𝘐𝘖𝘕𝘚
Several diseases or conditions can lead to hematuria (blood in urine) in cattle. The most common include:
👉 1. BABESIOSIS (REDWATER DISEASE)
✅ Cause: A blood parasite (Babesia bigemina or Babesia bovis) transmitted by ticks (mainly Boophilus ticks).
✅ How it leads to bloody urine: The parasites destroy red blood cells, releasing hemoglobin, which appears as red or dark “coffee-colored” urine.
✅ Other signs: High fever, weakness, jaundice, loss of appetite, rapid weight loss, and death if untreated.
👉 2. ENZOOTIC BOVINE HEMATURIA
✅ Cause: Chronic ingestion of bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum), which contains a toxic compound that causes bladder tumors and chronic bleeding.
✅ Signs: Repeated episodes of bloody urine, anemia, reduced milk yield, progressive weakness.
👌 Note: Usually seen in regions where bracken fern grows.
👉 3. URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS OR TRAUMA
✅ Cause: Bacterial infections, kidney/bladder stones, or injury.
✅ Signs: Straining while urinating, fever, restlessness, reduced feed intake.
👉 4. LEPTOSPIROSIS (LESS COMMON)
✅ Cause: Leptospira bacteria, transmitted through contaminated water.
✅ Signs: Bloody urine, fever, jaundice, abortions, drop in milk yield.
⚠️ HOW DANGEROUS IS IT?
✅ Babesiosis → Highly dangerous, often fatal within 24–48 hours if untreated.
✅ Enzootic bovine hematuria → Chronic and progressive, eventually fatal if bladder cancer develops.
✅ UTI/Trauma → Less fatal but reduces productivity if ignored.
✅ Leptospirosis → Causes herd outbreaks, abortions, milk loss, and is also a zoonotic risk to humans.
🩺 WHAT TO DO (MANAGEMENT & TREATMENT)
👉 Immediate actions:
✅ Call a qualified veterinarian immediately – time is critical in babesiosis.
✅ Isolate the affected animal to reduce stress and prevent spread of tick-borne or infectious causes.
👉 Veterinary treatment:
✅ Babesiosis → Anti-protozoal drugs (diminazene, imidocarb), supportive therapy (fluids, vitamins, blood transfusion if severe).
✅ Enzootic bovine hematuria → Remove cattle from bracken fern areas. No cure once tumors form, only supportive management.
✅ UTI/Trauma → Antibiotics, pain relief, clean water, supportive care.
✅ Leptospirosis → Treat with antibiotics (streptomycin, tetracyclines), plus vaccination and rodent control to prevent spread.
👉 Prevention & control:
✅ Tick control – Regular dipping/spraying with acaricides.
✅ Vaccination – In endemic areas, against babesiosis and leptospirosis.
✅ Pasture management – Avoid grazing in bracken fern–infested areas.
✅ Hygiene – Provide clean water, avoid overcrowding.
✅ Routine herd checks – Early detection saves lives and money.
📌 KEY TAKEAWAY
✅ Bloody urine in cattle is most often caused by babesiosis (acute, often fatal) or bracken fern toxicity (chronic, debilitating).
✅ Other causes like UTI and leptospirosis also need urgent vet attention.
👉 Always treat bloody urine as an emergency. Quick veterinary action saves animals, money, and protects your herd.
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