Difference between revisions of "Coccidiosis - Cattle"

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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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== Introduction ==
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[[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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[[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]]  
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*Many species affect cattle
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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 with poor body condition are also susceptible. Bought-in calves that are then mixed with current stock is one of the primary causes of the disease and clinical signs are usually apparent around a month after this event has occurred.
 
  
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Infection is usually sporadic, but once immunity has developed it is likely not to recur. During the neonatal period, passive immunity is sufficient, only after this wanes are clinical signs of the disease apparent.
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*Cattle under a year old are usually infected sporadically
  
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There are many species of [[:Category:Coccidia|coccidia]] that affect cattle, but ''[[Eimeria spp.|Eimeria]] zuernii, E. bovis'' and ''E. alabamensis'' are by far the most common. ''E. zuernii'' is the most pathogenic of these species.
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*2-3 week prepatent period
  
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== Clinical Signs ==
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*''Eimeria bovis''
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**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 [[Intestine Diarrhoea - Pathology|diarrhoea]] and enteritis
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**Oocysts are 28x20μm
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**Moderately pathogenic
  
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All species of coccidia produce diarrhoea or dysentry with notable tenesmus.
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*''Eimeria zuernii''
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**Endogenous stages in connective tissue of lamina propria of the lower [[Small Intestine - 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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== Diagnosis ==
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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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History and clinical signs plus husbandry and signalment of animals is indicative of the disease.
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*''Eimeria alabamensis'' associated with [[Intestine Diarrhoea - Pathology|diarrhoea]] in calves after spring turnout
  
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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.
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*[[Materno-fetal immunity - WikiBlood#Passive transfer via colostrum|Passive immunity]] is sufficient during the neonatal period
  
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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, masses of gamonts and oocysts will be present in these scrapings.
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*Can be concurrent with cryptosporidium, viral and bacterial agents
  
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== Treatment and Control ==
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'''Diagnosis'''
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*History, clinical signs, [[Intestine Diarrhoea - Pathology|diarrhoea]] (often with blood) and a decrease in weight gain
  
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As with all causes of diarrhoea, supportive therapy such as rehydration and electrolyte solutions are necessary.
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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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Anti-coccidial drugs such as 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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*High faecal oocyst count
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**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 measures focus on improving husbandry to decrease over-crowding, improve hygiene conditions and prevent mixing of newly purchased stock.
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'''Control'''
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*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 can be supplied such as decoquinate.  
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*Preventative in-feed medication
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**E.g. Decoquinate
  
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{{Learning
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*Injectable antiprotozoals may limit oocyst production but animals should still be moved to a clean environment
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|flashcards = [[Coccidia Flashcards|Coccidia Flashcards]]
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**E.g. Sulphamethoxypyridazine[[Category:Coccidia]][[Category:Cattle]]
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[[Cattle Medicine Q&A 04]]
 
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}}
 
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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''
 
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Fox, M and Jacobs, D. (2007) '''Parasitology Study Guide Part 1: Ectoparasites''''' Royal Veterinary College''
 
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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''
 
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{{review}}
 
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{{OpenPages}}
 
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[[Category:Intestinal_Diseases_-_Cattle]] [[Category:Expert_Review - Farm Animal]]
 

Revision as of 21:55, 8 April 2010

Eimeria sp. of ruminants - Joaquim Castellà Veterinary Parasitology Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Coccidia oocyst from ruminant faeces - Joaquim Castellà Veterinary Parasitology Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
  • Many species affect cattle
  • Cattle under a year old are usually infected sporadically
  • 2-3 week prepatent period
  • Eimeria bovis
    • Endogenous stages in central lacteal of villi and epithelial cells of caecum and colon
    • Causes diarrhoea and enteritis
    • Oocysts are 28x20μm
    • Moderately pathogenic
  • Eimeria zuernii
    • Endogenous stages in connective tissue of lamina propria of the lower small intestine and in the epithelial cells of the caecum and colon
    • More pathogenic than Eimeria bovis
    • Causes blood stained dysentery, tenesmus and sloughed mucosa
    • Oocysts are spherical and measure 16μm
  • Mainly occurs in calves in poor conditions and bought-in calves
    • Also occurs in suckler calves turned out in spring
  • Eimeria alabamensis associated with diarrhoea in calves after spring turnout
  • Can be concurrent with cryptosporidium, viral and bacterial agents

Diagnosis

  • History, clinical signs, diarrhoea (often with blood) and a decrease in weight gain
  • Post-mortem
    • Diffuse inflammation and thickening of caecal mucosa (and sometimes ileal and colonic mucosa)
    • Masses of gamonts and oocysts in scrapings
  • High faecal oocyst count
    • However, healthy animals can pass millions of oocysts from mixed species infections which have no pathogenic significance
    • Animals may die before oocysts are shed

Control

  • Improve husbandry
    • Improve sanitation
    • Increase bedding
    • Raise food and water troughs to avoid faecal contamination
  • Preventative in-feed medication
    • E.g. Decoquinate
  • Injectable antiprotozoals may limit oocyst production but animals should still be moved to a clean environment
    • E.g. Sulphamethoxypyridazine
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