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COCCIDIOSIS Bovine coccidiosis is primarily a disease of calves under 6 months old which are kept under crowded unhygienic conditions. It is characterised clinically by a watery and sometimes blood-stained diarrhoea.CLINICAL SIGNSClinical signs usually occur about 21 days after initial infection. In mild cases the faeces are watery with no blood apparent but in more severe infections the faeces contain blood. Straining is a characteristic clinical sign and dehydration and loss of condition proceeds rapidly. Clinical coccidiosis is usually presented as a sudden outbreak of dysentery among calves kept under crowded unhygienic conditions, e.g. as may occur in loose boxes, cattle courts or in feed lot systems. EPIDEMIOLOGY The life cycle of bovine coccidia takes 17 to 21 days. Most outbreaks of bovine coccidiosis can be attributed to a build up of resistant oocysts on pasture or bedding. Animals infected with coccidia develop immunity but information on the duration of this immunity is lacking; certainly low numbers of coccidia oocysts can frequently be detected in bovine faeces and may act as a source of infection for susceptible calves.TREATMENT AND CONTROLTreatment over 3-5 days with sulphadimidine or amprolium is recommended. In farms where the disease is a problem the infected premises should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected and bedding should be kept dry. When the disease occurs at pasture, alternative grazing should be provided and the contaminated area avoided for at least one year. Prevention is based on good management practices to avoid heavy build up of oocysts, for example moving feed trough regularly. Anticoccidial feed supplements can be used if necessary. |
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