Difference between revisions of "Coccidiosis - Sheep"

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(Created page with '*11 different Coccidia species although only two are of clinical significance **Giant schizonts visible as white spots *''Eimeria ovinoidalis'' **Highly pathogenic **[[Intestine…')
 
m (Text replace - 'Eimeria' to 'Eimeria')
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**Giant schizonts visible as white spots
 
**Giant schizonts visible as white spots
  
*''Eimeria ovinoidalis''
+
*''[[Eimeria spp.|Eimeria]] ovinoidalis''
 
**Highly pathogenic
 
**Highly pathogenic
 
**[[Intestine Diarrhoea - Pathology|Diarrhoea]]
 
**[[Intestine Diarrhoea - Pathology|Diarrhoea]]
 
**Parasitises the [[Caecum - Anatomy & Physiology|caecum]] and [[Colon - Anatomy & Physiology|colon]]
 
**Parasitises the [[Caecum - Anatomy & Physiology|caecum]] and [[Colon - Anatomy & Physiology|colon]]
  
*''Eimeria crandalis''
+
*''[[Eimeria spp.|Eimeria]] crandalis''
 
**Varying pathogenicity
 
**Varying pathogenicity
 
**Scours, grey, foul-smelling faeces
 
**Scours, grey, foul-smelling faeces
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**Post-mortem diagnosis difficult
 
**Post-mortem diagnosis difficult
  
*Different species of ''Eimeria'' occurs in sheep and goats
+
*Different species of ''[[Eimeria spp.|Eimeria]]'' occurs in sheep and goats
  
 
*Infection may be coincident with ''Neospora'' or ''Cryptosporidium'' infections
 
*Infection may be coincident with ''Neospora'' or ''Cryptosporidium'' infections

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