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[[Image:Goats.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Goats - nabrown RVC]]  

[[Image:Goats.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Goats - nabrown RVC]]  

All goats are infected with coccidia in the first few weeks of life and in is thought that other factors such as hygiene, stress levels, transport and other concurrent infections lead to the disease becoming clinical. Goats then build up an immunity to the disease as they age, meaning they will excrete a small number of oocysts into the environment on a continuous basis. If the immune goat then becomes stressed then it is likely a relaxation in immunity will occur.  

 

Coccidiosis is the most common cause of diarrhoea in kids aged 3 weeks - 5 months of age and is particularly prevelent when housed. There are tweleve known species of coccidia that affect goats and all but one are specific to goats with the other being transmissible between sheep and goats. All coccidia species affecting goats are of the Eimeria genus.  

== Clinical Signs  ==

== Clinical Signs  ==

Watery or mucoid diarrhoea is usually present, which may be blood-tinged. Tenesmus may be present, but is not so common as in cattle or sheep. General signs of depression and malaise will also be seen in the affected animal, such as reluctance to eat, weight loss and weakness. If the infestation is particularly severe, sudden onset colic and collapse followed by death can occur in younger kids.  

Watery or mucoid diarrhoea is usually present, which may be blood-tinged. Tenesmus may be present, but is not so common as in cattle or sheep. General signs of depression and malaise will also be seen in the affected animal, such as reluctance to eat, weight loss and weakness. If the infestation is particularly severe, sudden onset colic and collapse followed by death can occur in younger kids.  

== Diagnosis  ==

== Diagnosis  ==

If an animal has died then a post mortem examination should be performed. Findings such as haemorrhagic enteritis in severe cases and small white focal lesions on the intestines may be noted. Smears should be taken from the mucosal surface of the damaged intestine to inspect for coccidia under the microscope.  

If an animal has died then a post mortem examination should be performed. Findings such as haemorrhagic enteritis in severe cases and small white focal lesions on the intestines may be noted. Smears should be taken from the mucosal surface of the damaged intestine to inspect for coccidia under the microscope.  

== Treatment and Control  ==

== Treatment and Control  ==

A hygenic environment with good husbandary is the key to coccidia control.  

A hygienic environment with good husbandry is the key to coccidia control.  

*Avoid overcrowding  

*Avoid overcrowding  

Other factors which will dramatically reduce clinical coccidiosis are avoiding faecal contamination of feed and water, deep cleaning of litter pen every month and clean bedding on a daily basis if possible.  

Other factors which will dramatically reduce clinical coccidiosis are avoiding faecal contamination of feed and water, deep cleaning of litter pen every month and clean bedding on a daily basis if possible.  

If treatment is required in an outbreak, a drug must be used off licence as no anti-coccidials or coccidio-stats are licenced for use in goats. Sulphonamides, decoquinate, diclazuril and toltrazuril are commonly used to good effect.  

If treatment is required in an outbreak, a drug must be used off licence as no anti-coccidials or coccidio-stats are licensed for use in goats. Sulphonamides, decoquinate, diclazuril and toltrazuril are commonly used to good effect.  

Rehydration is usually required in a clinical case of coccidiosis and an electrolyte solution should be fed to the affected animals. Milk should be fed only in small amounts as the damage to the intestine means the milk will not be digested efficiantly resulting in more diarrhoea.  

Rehydration is usually required in a clinical case of coccidiosis and an electrolyte solution should be fed to the affected animals. Milk should be fed only in small amounts as the damage to the intestine means the milk will not be digested efficiently resulting in more diarrhoea.  

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Fox, M and Jacobs, D. (2007) Parasitology Study Guide Part 1: Ectoparasites Royal Veterinary College <br>Matthews, J. (2009) Disease of the Goat (Third Edition), Wiley Blackwell Publishing<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>Smith, M.C, Sherman, D.M. (2009) Goat Medicine (Second Edition) Wiley-Blackwell Publishing<br>

Fox, M and Jacobs, D. (2007) Parasitology Study Guide Part 1: Ectoparasites Royal Veterinary College <br>Matthews, J. (2009) Disease of the Goat (Third Edition), Wiley Blackwell Publishing<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>Smith, M.C, Sherman, D.M. (2009) Goat Medicine (Second Edition) Wiley-Blackwell Publishing<br>

[[Category:Coccidia]] [[Category:Goat_Parasites]] [[Category:To_Do_-_Review]]

[[Category:Coccidia]] [[Category:Goat_Parasites]] [[Category:Alimentary Diseases - Goat]][[Category:Expert_Review - Farma Animal]]