Changes

== Introduction  ==

== Introduction  ==

[[Image:Isospora suis oocyst.jpg|thumb|right|150px|<i>Isospora suis</i> oocyst from pig faeces - Joaquim Castellà Veterinary Parasitology Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona]]  

[[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.  

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  ==

== Clinical Signs  ==

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.  

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.  

== Diagnosis  ==

== Diagnosis  ==

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.  

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.  

== Treatment and Control  ==

== Treatment and Control  ==

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.  

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.  

== References ==

== References ==

Cowart, R.P. and Casteel, S.W. (2001) An Outline of Swine diseases: a handbook Wiley-Blackwell <br>Fox, M and Jacobs, D. (2007) Parasitology Study Guide Part 1: Ectoparasites Royal Veterinary College <br>Jackson, G.G. and Cockcroft, P.D. (2007) Handbook of Pig Medicine Saunders Elsevier <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>Straw, B.E. and Taylor, D.J. (2006) Disease of Swine Wiley-Blackwell <br>Taylor, D.J. (2006) Pig Diseases (Eighth edition) St Edmunsdbury Press ltd <br><br>

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 ''

 

[[Category:Intestinal_Diseases_-_Pig]] [[Category:Expert_Review - Farm Animal]]

[[Category:Intestinal_Diseases_-_Pig]] [[Category:Expert_Review - Farm Animal]]