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[[Image:Coccidia ruminant.jpg|thumb|right|150px|''Eimeria'' sp. of ruminants - Joaquim Castellà Veterinary Parasitology Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona]]
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[[Image:Coccidia ruminant.jpg|thumb|right|150px|<i>Eimeria</i> sp. of ruminants - Joaquim Castellà Veterinary Parasitology Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona]] [[Image:Coccidia oocyst ruminant.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Coccidia oocyst from ruminant faeces - Joaquim Castellà Veterinary Parasitology Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona]]  
[[Image:Coccidia oocyst ruminant.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Coccidia oocyst from ruminant faeces - Joaquim Castellà Veterinary Parasitology Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona]]
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*Many species affect cattle
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*Cattle under a year old are usually infected sporadically
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== Introduction ==
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*2-3 week prepatent period
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Coccidiosis is primarily a disease of groups of cattle less than one year old. It often occurs if these groups are housed or kept in unhygienic conditions, as like coccidiosis in other species, coccidiosis in cattle is a disease of over-crowding and poor hygiene. Calves with concurrent infections or ones&nbsp;with poor&nbsp;body condition are also susceptable. Bought-in calves that are then mixed with current stock is one of the primary causes of the disease and clinical signs are usually appa<span id="fck_dom_range_temp_1299253210635_717" />rent around a month after this event has occured.
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*''Eimeria bovis''
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Infection is usually sporadic, but once immunity has developed it is likely not to reoccur. During the neonatal period, passive immunity is sufficient, only after this wanes are clincal signs of the disease apparent.
**Endogenous stages in central lacteal of villi and epithelial cells of [[Caecum - Anatomy & Physiology|caecum]] and [[Colon - Anatomy & Physiology|colon]]
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**Causes [[Diarrhoea|diarrhoea]] and enteritis
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**Oocysts are 28x20μm
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**Moderately pathogenic
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*''Eimeria zuernii''
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There are many species of coccidia that affect cattle, but Eimeria zuernii, E. bovis and E. alabamensis are by far the most common. E. zuernii is the most pathogenic of these species.&nbsp;
**Endogenous stages in connective tissue of lamina propria of the lower [[Small Intestine Overview - Anatomy & Physiology|small intestine]] and in the epithelial cells of the [[Caecum - Anatomy & Physiology|caecum]] and [[Colon - Anatomy & Physiology|colon]]
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**More pathogenic than ''Eimeria bovis''
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**Causes blood stained dysentery, tenesmus and sloughed mucosa
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**Oocysts are spherical and measure 16μm
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*Mainly occurs in calves in poor conditions and bought-in calves
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**Also occurs in suckler calves turned out in spring
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*''Eimeria alabamensis'' associated with [[Diarrhoea|diarrhoea]] in calves after spring turnout
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*[[Materno-Fetal Immunity - Introduction#Passive transfer via colostrum|Passive immunity]] is sufficient during the neonatal period
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== Clinical Signs ==
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*Can be concurrent with cryptosporidium, viral and bacterial agents
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All species of coccidia produce diarrhoea or dysentry with&nbsp;notible tenesmus.
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'''Diagnosis'''
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*History, clinical signs, [[Diarrhoea|diarrhoea]] (often with blood) and a decrease in weight gain
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*Post-mortem
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**Diffuse inflammation and thickening of [[Caecum - Anatomy & Physiology|caecal]] mucosa (and sometimes [[Ileum - Anatomy & Physiology|ileal]] and [[Colon - Anatomy & Physiology|colonic]] mucosa)
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**Masses of gamonts and oocysts in scrapings
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*High faecal oocyst count
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== Diagnosis ==
**However, healthy animals can pass millions of oocysts from mixed species infections which have no pathogenic significance
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**Animals may die before oocysts are shed
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'''Control'''
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History and clinical signs plus husbandry and signalment of animals is indicative of the disease.
*Improve husbandry
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**Improve sanitation
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**Increase bedding
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**Raise food and water troughs to avoid faecal contamination
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*Preventative in-feed medication
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Faecal samples should be taken for faecal floatation and microscopic examination for oocysts. High numbers of oocysts are indicative of clinical disease as small numbers of oocysts are present in all cattle. If the faecal sample is taken after the main oocyst production phase has passed then number will be low even in severely affected animals.
**E.g. Decoquinate
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*Injectable antiprotozoals may limit oocyst production but animals should still be moved to a clean environment
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Post mortem examination will reveal diffuse inflammation and thickening of caecal mucosa (and sometimes ileal and colonic mucosa). Scrapings of the mucosa should be taken and viewed microscopically. In an infected animal&nbsp;masses of gamonts and oocysts will be present&nbsp;in these scrapings.
**E.g. Sulphamethoxypyridazine
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==Test yourself with the Coccidia Flashcards==
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[[Coccidia_Flashcards|Coccidia Flashcards]]
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== Treatment and Control ==
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[[Category:Coccidia]][[Category:Intestinal Diseases - Cattle]]
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As with all causes of diarrhoea, supportive therapy such as rehydration and electrolyte solutions are necessary.
[[Category:To_Do_-_Kate]]
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Anti-coccidial drugs such as&nbsp;diclazuril or sulphonamides should be started once the diagnosis is confirmed and the affected animals should be moved to a clean environment. All in contact cattle should be treated with the same drug, should costs allow.
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Control measures focus on improving husbandry to decrease over-crowding, improve hygiene conditions and prevent mixing of newly purchased stock.
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Preventative in- feed medication can be supplied such as decoquinate.
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== References ==
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Andrews, A.H, Blowey, R.W, Boyd, H and Eddy, R.G. (2004) Bovine Medicine (Second edition), Blackwell Publishing <br>Fox, M and Jacobs, D. (2007) Parasitology Study Guide Part 1: Ectoparasites Royal Veterinary College <br>Radostits, O.M, Arundel, J.H, and Gay, C.C. (2000) Veterinary Medicine: a textbook of the diseases of cattle, sheep, pigs, goats and horses Elsevier Health Sciences <br>
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Test yourself with the Coccidia Flashcards
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[[Coccidia Flashcards|Coccidia Flashcards]]
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[[Category:Coccidia]] [[Category:Intestinal_Diseases_-_Cattle]] [[Category:To_Do_-_Review]]
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