Difference between revisions of "Coccidiosis - Sheep"

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m (Text replace - "[[Small Intestine - Anatomy & Physiology|" to "[[Small Intestine Overview - Anatomy & Physiology|")
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**Varying pathogenicity
 
**Varying pathogenicity
 
**Scours, grey, foul-smelling faeces
 
**Scours, grey, foul-smelling faeces
**Parasitises the [[Small Intestine - Anatomy & Physiology|small intestine]], [[Caecum - Anatomy & Physiology|caecum]] and [[Colon - Anatomy & Physiology|colon]]
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**Parasitises the [[Small Intestine Overview - Anatomy & Physiology|small intestine]], [[Caecum - Anatomy & Physiology|caecum]] and [[Colon - Anatomy & Physiology|colon]]
  
 
*2 week prepatent period
 
*2 week prepatent period

Revision as of 12:56, 7 September 2010

  • 11 different Coccidia species although only two are of clinical significance
    • Giant schizonts visible as white spots
  • 2 week prepatent period
  • Disease frequently seen in lambs under 6 months old
    • More often in twins and triplets when single lambs
  • Oocyts from ewes (immune carriers) accumulate in poorly managed litter or around feed and water troughs
  • Lambs born early in the year amplify the parasite problem increasing the parasite risk to lambs born later in the year
  • Affected lambs may die before oocysts are found in the faeces
    • Post-mortem diagnosis difficult
  • Different species of Eimeria occurs in sheep and goats
  • Infection may be coincident with Neospora or Cryptosporidium infections
    • Mixed infections complicate the diagnosis as oocyst differentiation is difficult
  • Other non-pathogenic species can cause papillomatous mucosal growths

Control

  • Improve husbandry
    • Avoid overcrowding
    • Decrease stress
  • Improve hygiene by dagging ewes
  • Avoid mixing lambs of different ages
  • Preventative measures include creep feeding lambs with decoquinate or oral dosing with diclazuril when lambs are 4-6 weeks
    • A second dose can be given after 3 weeks

Test yourself with the Coccidia Flashcards

Coccidia Flashcards