Difference between revisions of "Coccidiosis - Pig"

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[[Image:Isospora suis oocyst.jpg|thumb|right|150px|''Isospora suis'' oocyst from pig faeces - Joaquim Castellà Veterinary Parasitology Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona]]
== Introduction  ==
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*Many species of ''Eimeria'' and ''Isospora''
[[Image:Isospora suis oocyst.jpg|thumb|right|150px|<i>Isospora suis</i> oocyst from pig faeces - Joaquim Castellà Veterinary Parasitology Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona]]  
 
There are many species of [[Eimeria spp.|''Eimeria'']] and [[Isospora spp.|''Isospora'']] found in pigs, but ''Isospora suis ''is the only [[:Category:Coccidia|coccidia]] of clinical pathogenic importance. It is primarily a disease of the young (1-3 week old) piglet and can be a cause of economic loss in pig herds. Research has shown that clinical coccidiosis is present in herds in all parts of the UK and worldwide.
 
  
== Clinical Signs  ==
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*Only ''Isospora suis'' is of clinical pathogenic importance
  
Coccidiosis in piglets is characterised by sudden onset diarrhoea, which usually profuse and can result in rapid death due to dehydration. The appearance of the diarrhoea is usually pale yellow or white and has a watery consistency. Infected piglets are usually more hairy and thinner than the littermates.
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*Causes sporadic, serious and sometimes fatal disease in unweaned piglets
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**Causes profuse [[Intestine Diarrhoea - Pathology|diarrhoea]]
  
== Diagnosis  ==
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*Very short 1 week prepatent period
  
The onset of profuse diarrhoea along with the characteristic age of the piglet would lead one to make a presumptive diagnosis of coccidiosis.
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*[[Intestine Diarrhoea - Pathology|Diarrhoea]] starts before oocysts are shed in faeces
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**Ante-mortem diagnosis is difficult
  
Failure of the piglet to respond to antibiotic treatment is also indicative of coccidiosis.
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*Death usually occurs after parasites have left the host
 
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**Post-mortem diagnosis difficult
The diagnosis should be confirmed by faecal samples to examine for oocysts, which should be taken 2 - 3 days after diarrhoea has begun as diarrhoea starts a day before oocysts are passed. Faecal floatation or faecal smears should be used to identify and count the oocysts.
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**''Isospora'' infections are '''self-limiting'''
 
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[[Category:Coccidia]][[Category:Pig]]
== Treatment and Control  ==
 
 
 
Toltrazuril (Baycox) when given as a treatment will prevent mortality in pigs with the disease. It can also be given at 3 days of age by stomach tube to prevent diarrhoea and oocyst shedding.
 
 
 
Palliative care in the form of rehydration and electrolyte solutions are the mainstay of treatment of most causes of diarrhoea in neonates.
 
 
 
Improvement of hygiene is the best control mechanism to prevent coccidiosis, such as thorough disinfection of all farrowing crates and housing and good ventilation. Faeces should be removed from farrowing pens as soon as possible so as to reduce faeceo-oral transmission of the disease. Crate to crate transmission should be decreased by hand sanitisation facilities and the work force should be made aware of the seriousness of the disease in order to enforce these measures being taken.
 
 
 
{{Learning
 
|flashcards = [[Coccidia Flashcards|Coccidia Flashcards]]
 
}}
 
 
 
== References ==
 
 
 
Cowart, R.P. and Casteel, S.W. (2001) '''An Outline of Swine diseases: a handbook '''''Wiley-Blackwell ''
 
 
 
Fox, M and Jacobs, D. (2007) '''Parasitology Study Guide Part 1: Ectoparasites '''''Royal Veterinary College ''
 
 
 
Jackson, G.G. and Cockcroft, P.D. (2007) '''Handbook of Pig Medicine '''''Saunders Elsevier ''
 
 
 
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 ''
 
 
 
Straw, B.E. and Taylor, D.J. (2006) '''Disease of Swine '''''Wiley-Blackwell ''
 
 
 
Taylor, D.J. (2006)''' Pig Diseases''' (Eighth edition)'' St Edmunsdbury Press ltd ''
 
 
 
 
 
{{review}}
 
 
 
{{OpenPages}}
 
 
 
[[Category:Intestinal_Diseases_-_Pig]] [[Category:Expert_Review - Farm Animal]]
 

Revision as of 22:04, 8 April 2010

Isospora suis oocyst from pig faeces - Joaquim Castellà Veterinary Parasitology Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
  • Many species of Eimeria and Isospora
  • Only Isospora suis is of clinical pathogenic importance
  • Causes sporadic, serious and sometimes fatal disease in unweaned piglets
  • Very short 1 week prepatent period
  • Diarrhoea starts before oocysts are shed in faeces
    • Ante-mortem diagnosis is difficult
  • Death usually occurs after parasites have left the host
    • Post-mortem diagnosis difficult
    • Isospora infections are self-limiting