Difference between revisions of "Coccidiosis - Sheep"

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*11 different Coccidia species although only two are of clinical significance
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== Introduction  ==
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**Giant schizonts visible as white spots
  
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There are 11 different [[:Category:Coccidia|Coccidia species]] in sheep, although only two are of clinical significance. These are the highly pathogenic ''[[Eimeria spp.|Eimeria]] ovinoidalis'', which parasitises the caecum and colon, and ''Eimeria crandalis'', which has varying pathogenicity and parasitises the small intestine and colon.
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*''[[Eimeria spp.|Eimeria]] ovinoidalis''
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**Highly pathogenic
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**[[Intestine Diarrhoea - Pathology|Diarrhoea]]
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**Parasitises the [[Caecum - Anatomy & Physiology|caecum]] and [[Colon - Anatomy & Physiology|colon]]
  
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Disease is usually seen in lambs under six months old. They are usually in good body condition at the onset of the disease. There is a two week pre- patent period for this parasite, so disease can spread in the flock relatively quickly. As with all coccidial diseases, they are usually caused by over-crowding and unhygienic conditions.
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*''[[Eimeria spp.|Eimeria]] crandalis''
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**Varying pathogenicity
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**Scours, grey, foul-smelling faeces
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**Parasitises the [[Small Intestine - Anatomy & Physiology|small intestine]], [[Caecum - Anatomy & Physiology|caecum]] and [[Colon - Anatomy & Physiology|colon]]
  
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Disease is spread faeco- orally. 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. This is because there is a high number of oocysts deposited by newly infected animals.
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*2 week prepatent period
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== Clinical Signs  ==
 
  
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[[Diarrhoea|Diarrhoea]] is the main clinical sign. It is often of sudden onset and may appear grey and be foul-smelling.
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*Disease frequently seen in lambs under 6 months old
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**More often in twins and triplets when single lambs
  
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== Diagnosis ==
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*Oocyts from ewes (immune carriers) accumulate in poorly managed litter or around feed and water troughs
  
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Clinical signs, history and signalment of the lambs are highly indicative of the disease.
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*Lambs born early in the year amplify the parasite problem increasing the parasite risk to lambs born later in the year
  
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Faecal samples are a vital diagnostic tool. Identification of the oocysts in faeces by microscopic examination should be performed and the slide should be stained to see if other parasites e.g. cryptosporidium or neospora may also be present. Mixed infections complicate the diagnosis as oocyst differentiation is difficult. Also, affected lambs may die before oocysts are found in the faeces.
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*Affected lambs may die before oocysts are found in the faeces
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**Post-mortem diagnosis difficult
  
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Post-mortem diagnosis is difficult as there are many non-specific findings; other non-pathogenic species can cause papillomatous mucosal growths.
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*Different species of ''[[Eimeria spp.|Eimeria]]'' occurs in sheep and goats
  
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== Treatment and Control ==
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*Infection may be coincident with ''Neospora'' or ''Cryptosporidium'' infections
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**Mixed infections complicate the diagnosis as oocyst differentiation is difficult
  
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Treatment with diclazuril or decoquinate, plus electrolyte solution for re-hydration.
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*Other non-pathogenic species can cause papillomatous mucosal growths
  
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Control measures include improving husbandry, reduce overcrowding and decrease stress. Improve hygiene by dagging (clipping off clumps of dried dung stuck to the wool) ewes and avoid mixing lambs of different ages.
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'''Control'''
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*Improve husbandry
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**Avoid overcrowding
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**Decrease stress
  
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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.
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*Improve hygiene by dagging ewes
  
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{{Learning
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*Avoid mixing lambs of different ages
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|flashcards = [[Coccidia Flashcards|Coccidia Flashcards]]
 
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}}
 
  
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== References  ==
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*Preventative measures include creep feeding lambs with decoquinate or oral dosing with diclazuril when lambs are 4-6 weeks
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**A second dose can be given after 3 weeks[[Category:Coccidia]][[Category:Sheep]]
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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_-_Sheep]] [[Category:Expert_Review - Farm Animal]]
 

Revision as of 22:52, 8 April 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
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