{"id":6552,"date":"2015-09-23T14:15:30","date_gmt":"2015-09-23T13:15:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/?page_id=6552"},"modified":"2016-04-18T12:17:21","modified_gmt":"2016-04-18T11:17:21","slug":"coccidiosis-in-lambs","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/disease-management\/sheep-diseases\/coccidiosis-in-lambs\/","title":{"rendered":"Coccidiosis in Lambs"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><div class=\"printfriendly pf-button  pf-alignright\">\n                    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/disease-management\/sheep-diseases\/coccidiosis-in-lambs\/?pfstyle=wp\" rel=\"nofollow\" onclick=\"pfTrackEvent(&#039;Coccidiosis in Lambs&#039;); return false;\" title=\"Printer Friendly, PDF & Email\">\n                    <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"pf-button-img\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.printfriendly.com\/buttons\/printfriendly-pdf-email-button-notext.png\" alt=\"Print Friendly, PDF & Email\" style=\"width: 110px;height: 30px;\"  \/>\n                    <\/a>\n                <\/div><\/p>\n<h2>Sheep Diseases<\/h2><div id=\"gticontainer\"><div class=\"gti_clear\"><\/div><div id=\"gti_letterindex\"><ul><li><a href=\"#gti_all\">All<\/a><\/li><li><a id=\"gti_sel_A\" href=\"#\">A<\/a><\/li><li><a id=\"gti_sel_B\" href=\"#\">B<\/a><\/li><li><a id=\"gti_sel_C\" href=\"#\">C<\/a><\/li><li><a id=\"gti_sel_E\" href=\"#\">E<\/a><\/li><li><a id=\"gti_sel_F\" href=\"#\">F<\/a><\/li><li><a id=\"gti_sel_G\" href=\"#\">G<\/a><\/li><li><a id=\"gti_sel_H\" href=\"#\">H<\/a><\/li><li><a id=\"gti_sel_J\" href=\"#\">J<\/a><\/li><li><a id=\"gti_sel_K\" href=\"#\">K<\/a><\/li><li><a id=\"gti_sel_L\" href=\"#\">L<\/a><\/li><li><a id=\"gti_sel_M\" href=\"#\">M<\/a><\/li><li><a id=\"gti_sel_N\" href=\"#\">N<\/a><\/li><li><a id=\"gti_sel_O\" href=\"#\">O<\/a><\/li><li><a id=\"gti_sel_P\" href=\"#\">P<\/a><\/li><li><a id=\"gti_sel_R\" href=\"#\">R<\/a><\/li><li><a id=\"gti_sel_S\" href=\"#\">S<\/a><\/li><li><a id=\"gti_sel_T\" href=\"#\">T<\/a><\/li><li><a id=\"gti_sel_W\" href=\"#\">W<\/a><\/li><\/ul><div class=\"gti_clear\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"tagindex\"><div id='gti_div_A'><div class='blockletter' id='gti_A'>A<\/div><ul><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/acidosis-ruminal\/\">Acidosis - Ruminal<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/adenomatosis-pulmonary\/\">Adenomatosis - Pulmonary<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/arthritis-in-sheep\/\">Arthritis in Sheep<\/a><\/li><\/ul><div class='gti_clear'><\/div><\/div><div id='gti_div_B'><div class='blockletter' id='gti_B'>B<\/div><ul><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/barbers-pole-worm\/\">Barbers Pole Worm<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/sheep-blowfly-strike\/\">Blowfly Strike<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/border-disease\/\">Border Disease<\/a><\/li><\/ul><div class='gti_clear'><\/div><\/div><div id='gti_div_C'><div class='blockletter' id='gti_C'>C<\/div><ul><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/campylobacteriosis-2\/\">Campylobacteriosis<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/ccn\/\">CCN<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/cerebrocortical-necrosis\/\">Cerebrocortical necrosis<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/chlamydial-abortion\/\">Chlamydial Abortion<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/circling-disease\/\">Circling Disease<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/cobalt-deficiency-in-sheep\/\">Cobalt Deficiency<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/coccidiosis-in-lambs\/\">Coccidiosis<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/coenurosis\/\">Coenurosis<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/contagious-ecthyma\/\">Contagious Ecthyma<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/contagious-pustular-dermatitis\/\">Contagious Pustular Dermatitis<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/contagious-respiratory-tumours\/\">Contagious Respiratory Tumours<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/copper-poisoning\/\">Copper Poisoning<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/cryptosporidiosis-in-lambs\/\">Cryptosporidiosis<\/a><\/li><\/ul><div class='gti_clear'><\/div><\/div><div id='gti_div_E'><div class='blockletter' id='gti_E'>E<\/div><ul><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/e-coli-infection-in-lambs\/\">E. coli infection in lambs<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/eimeria-in-sheep\/\">Eimeria in sheep<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/encephalitis-listerial\/\">Encephalitis - Listerial<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/endoparasites-in-sheep\/\">Endoparasites in Sheep<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/enzootic-abortion-in-ewes\/\">Enzootic Abortion<\/a><\/li><\/ul><div class='gti_clear'><\/div><\/div><div id='gti_div_F'><div class='blockletter' id='gti_F'>F<\/div><ul><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/fasciola-hepatica-in-sheep\/\">Fasciola<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/fly-strike\/\">Fly Strike<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/foot-abcess\/\">Foot Abcess<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/foot-rot\/\">Foot Rot<\/a><\/li><\/ul><div class='gti_clear'><\/div><\/div><div id='gti_div_G'><div class='blockletter' id='gti_G'>G<\/div><ul><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/granuloma\/\">Granuloma<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/grass-staggers-in-sheep\/\">Grass Staggers in sheep<\/a><\/li><\/ul><div class='gti_clear'><\/div><\/div><div id='gti_div_H'><div class='blockletter' id='gti_H'>H<\/div><ul><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/haemonchus\/\">Haemonchus contortus<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/hairy-shaker-lambs\/\">Hairy-shaker lambs<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/hypomagnesaemia-in-sheep\/\">Hypomagnesemia in Sheep<\/a><\/li><\/ul><div class='gti_clear'><\/div><\/div><div id='gti_div_J'><div class='blockletter' id='gti_J'>J<\/div><ul><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/jaagsiekte\/\">Jaagsiekte<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/joint-ill-sheep\/\">Joint-ill<\/a><\/li><\/ul><div class='gti_clear'><\/div><\/div><div id='gti_div_K'><div class='blockletter' id='gti_K'>K<\/div><ul><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/ketosis\/\">Ketosis<\/a><\/li><\/ul><div class='gti_clear'><\/div><\/div><div id='gti_div_L'><div class='blockletter' id='gti_L'>L<\/div><ul><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/listeriosis-in-sheep\/\">Listeriosis<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/liver-fluke-sheep\/\">Liver Fluke<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/louping-ill\/\">Louping-ill<\/a><\/li><\/ul><div class='gti_clear'><\/div><\/div><div id='gti_div_M'><div class='blockletter' id='gti_M'>M<\/div><ul><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/magnesium-deficiency-2\/\">Magnesium Deficiency<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/mange-psoroptic\/\">Mange - Psoroptic<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/myiasis\/\">Myiasis<\/a><\/li><\/ul><div class='gti_clear'><\/div><\/div><div id='gti_div_N'><div class='blockletter' id='gti_N'>N<\/div><ul><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/nematodirus\/\">Nematodirus battus<\/a><\/li><\/ul><div class='gti_clear'><\/div><\/div><div id='gti_div_O'><div class='blockletter' id='gti_O'>O<\/div><ul><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/orf\/\">Orf<\/a><\/li><\/ul><div class='gti_clear'><\/div><\/div><div id='gti_div_P'><div class='blockletter' id='gti_P'>P<\/div><ul><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/parasitic-gastroenteritis\/\">Parasitic Gastroenteritis<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/pen\/\">PEN<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/polioencephalomalacia\/\">Polioencephalomalacia<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/pregnancy-toxaemia-in-sheep\/\">Pregnancy Toxemia<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/pulmonary-adenomatosis\/\">Pulmonary Adenomatosis<\/a><\/li><\/ul><div class='gti_clear'><\/div><\/div><div id='gti_div_R'><div class='blockletter' id='gti_R'>R<\/div><ul><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/roundworm\/\">roundworm<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/roundworms-in-sheep\/\">Roundworms in Sheep<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/ruminal-acidosis\/\">Ruminal Acidosis<\/a><\/li><\/ul><div class='gti_clear'><\/div><\/div><div id='gti_div_S'><div class='blockletter' id='gti_S'>S<\/div><ul><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/scab\/\">Scab<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/scald\/\">Scald<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/sheep-scab\/\">Sheep Scab<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/shelly-hoof\/\">Shelly Hoof<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/suppurative-polyarthritis\/\">Suppurative Polyarthritis<\/a><\/li><\/ul><div class='gti_clear'><\/div><\/div><div id='gti_div_T'><div class='blockletter' id='gti_T'>T<\/div><ul><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/taenia-multiceps\/\">Taenia multiceps<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/teladorsagia-circumcincta\/\">Teladorsagia circumcincta<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/thiamine-deficiency\/\">Thiamine Deficiency<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/toxaemia\/\">Toxemia, Pregnancy<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/toxoplasmosis\/\">Toxoplasmosis<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/trichostrongylus\/\">Trichostrongylus<\/a><\/li><\/ul><div class='gti_clear'><\/div><\/div><div id='gti_div_W'><div class='blockletter' id='gti_W'>W<\/div><ul><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/watery-mouth-disease\/\">Watery Mouth Disease<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/white-line-separation\/\">White Line Separation<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/white-liver-disease\/\">White Liver Disease<\/a><\/li><li style=\"width:100%;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/sheep-diseases\/\/worms-in-sheep\/\">Worms in Sheep<\/a><\/li><\/ul><div class='gti_clear'><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<h4>Coccidiosis in Lambs<\/h4>\n<p><em><strong>Also known as: Eimeria<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"two_third\">Coccidiosis is caused by single celled parasites (protozoa) called <em>Eimeria<\/em>, which undergo a simple life cycle in the gut. Coccidiosis is most common in young lambs aged between 2 &#8211; 8 weeks, peaking at 5 &#8211; 6 weeks of age when they start to eat grass. Although often asymptomatic in sheep, coccidiosis can be a serious economic enteric disease, resulting in diarrhea, inefficient weight gains, and occasionally death (<a href=\"#ref\">Chartier and Paraud, 2012<\/a>). It is becoming increasingly significant in sheep production, particularly in more intensive production systems, <b>and where clean grazing isn\u2019t available<\/b>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Several <em>Eimeria <\/em>species have been identified\u00a0that cause disease in different hosts (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/disease-management\/cattle-diseases\/coccidiosis-in-cattle\/\">Cattle<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/disease-management\/pig-diseases\/coccidiosis-in-pigs\/\">pigs<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/disease-management\/poultry-diseases\/coccidiosis-in-poultry\/\">poultry<\/a>), and although the majority of sheep carry coccidian, only two species (<em>E. crandalis<\/em> and <em>E. ovinoidalis<\/em>) are\u00a0<b>recognized as being clinically <span class=\"tooltips\"><a href=\"#\" rel=\"tooltip\" title=\"Capable of causing disease\">pathogenic <\/a><\/span> in the UK<\/b><\/strong><strong>. <a id=\"lifecycle\"><\/a>Both of these are found in the ileum, but <em>E. ovinoidalis<\/em> also occurs in the caecum and colon. Both impair the absorptive capacity of these parts of the gut, thereby provoking scours. <em>E. ovinoidalis<\/em> also damages the gut&#8217;s capacity for regeneration, thus precipitating a more severe and prolonged disease.<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"hr hr3\" style='margin:20px 0px 20px 0px !important;'><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"one_third last\">\n<a class=\"button medium alternative-1\" title=\"Eimeris Lifecycle\" href=\"#lifecycle\">Eimeria Lifecycle<\/a><br \/>\n<a class=\"button medium alternative-1\" title=\"Control and Prevention\" href=\"#control_prevention\">Control and Prevention<\/a><br \/>\n<a class=\"button medium alternative-1\" title=\"Diagnosing Coccidiosis\" href=\"#diagnosis\">Diagnosing Coccidiosis<\/a><br \/>\n<a class=\"button medium alternative-1\" title=\"What are the treatment options?\" href=\"#treatment\">Treatment Options<\/a><br \/>\n<a class=\"button medium alternative-1\" title=\"Good Practice Based on Current Knowledge\" href=\"#good_practice\">Good Practice<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"clear\"><\/div>\n<h3>Eimeria Lifecycle<\/h3>\n<p>The lifecycle takes between 2 \u2013 4 weeks depending on the species of <em>Eimeria.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"responsive\"><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_10167\" style=\"width: 970px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/US-Coccidiosis.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10167\" class=\"wp-image-10167 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/US-Coccidiosis-1024x774.jpg\" alt=\"US Coccidiosis\" width=\"960\" height=\"726\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/US-Coccidiosis-1024x774.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/US-Coccidiosis-300x227.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/US-Coccidiosis.jpg 1367w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-10167\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>The lifecycle of <em>Eimeria<\/em> follows the typical coccidian lifecycle<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Oocysts are shed in the feces of infected animals<\/li>\n<li>They undergo <strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">rapid multiplication\u00a0<\/span><\/strong>(called sporulation) until each oocyst contains 4 sporocysts, and each sporocyst contains 2 sporozoites. Sporulation outside the body may take 1-4 days in ideal conditions but can take several weeks in cooler weather. Oocysts can survive on the ground for up to a year<\/li>\n<li>When a lamb swallows oocysts, they break open in the gut,\u00a0<strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">releasing high numbers of parasites<\/span><\/strong>, which invade the gut wall<\/li>\n<li>Each parasite grows and multiplies by repeated asexual division to produce a hundred or more daughter parasites<\/li>\n<li>The daughter cells break out and invade fresh areas of the gut wall and repeat this process<\/li>\n<li>Within 10 &#8211; 14 days the parasites will have multiplied by up to a million fold<\/li>\n<li>By this stage of infection, parts of the gut wall are packed with parasites which develop into male and female sex cells<\/li>\n<li>The female sex cells are fertilized and secrete an oocyst wall around them, then drop off the gut wall to be excreted in the feces<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Adapted from (<a href=\"#ref\">Blewitt and Angus, 1991<\/a>; <a href=\"#ref\">Taylor <em>et al<\/em>., 2007<\/a>)<\/p>\n<p>Virtually all sheep flocks are infected with coccidia, but only some lambs develop clinical disease (<a href=\"#ref\">Catchpole <em>et al<\/em>., 1975<\/a>). Clinical coccidiosis occurs when damage to the gut is sufficiently severe to cause dysfunction. This normally occurs at the beginning of the parasite&#8217;s sexual multiplication stage, when parasite numbers reach their peak. The lambs may suffer from dullness, inappetence, diarrhea (with or without blood), dehydration\u00a0and\u00a0weight loss (<a href=\"#ref\">Taylor <em>et al<\/em>., 2007<\/a>). Coccidial oocyst output is highly correlated with reduced weight gains.<\/p>\n<p>Two circumstances lead to clinical coccidiosis:<\/p>\n<p>(i) Massive ingestion of infective oocysts due to a highly infected environment and\/ or<br \/>\n(ii)\u00a0A significant asexual multiplication in the host, in relation to a lowered resistance of the animal (<a href=\"#ref\">Chartier and Paraud, 2012<\/a>)<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"control_prevention\"><\/a>The source of the initial outbreak of clinical coccidiosis is likely to be either residual contamination in the environment <strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(oocysts can overwinter on pasture in low numbers)\u00a0<\/span><\/strong>or low levels of oocyst shedding by other sheep, providing a continuous source of infection. The level of the environmental infection, particularly with pathogenic species, is probably the most important factor, but other factors, such as nutritional and climatic stress, may be involved. It is difficult to predict the occurrence of clinical coccidiosis, as some flocks are troubled by it every year while others, with similar management systems, are not (<a href=\"#ref\">Blewitt and Angus, 1991<\/a>).<\/p>\n<div class=\"hr hr3\" style='margin:20px 0px 20px 0px !important;'><\/div>\n<h4>Control and Prevention of Coccidiosis in Sheep<\/h4>\n<div id=\"attachment_6574\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/Outdoor-lambing.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-6574\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-6574\" src=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/Outdoor-lambing-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Outdoor lambing\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/Outdoor-lambing-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/Outdoor-lambing.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-6574\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Outdoor lambing\u00a0 accompanied by lower stocking densities reduces the risk of an outbreak of coccidiosis, as it reduces the environmental contamination with infective oocysts.<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n<p>The first priority in controlling coccidiosis is to avoid circumstances that allow infection to build up to dangerously high levels. The <strong>low stocking density<\/strong> and <strong>outdoor lambing<\/strong> management systems often applied by low-input farmers reduce the risk of an outbreak of clinical coccidiosis. However, sheltered areas for the protection of animals against bad weather can become contaminated with coccidia and need to be kept dry and clean.<\/p>\n<p>Housed lambs should be provided with adequate clean litter and bedding, although there is some evidence that exposure to oocysts early in life may help to build up immunity (<a href=\"#ref\">Gregory, 1995<\/a>; <a href=\"#ref\">Gregory and Catchpole, 1989<\/a>; <a href=\"#ref\">Gregory <em>et al<\/em>., 1989<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p>Late lambs should not graze pasture previously used by earlier lambs. Creep feeders should be moved regularly to prevent <strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">poaching and\u00a0<\/span><\/strong>the build-up of infection in the\u00a0environment.<\/p>\n<p>Preventative anti-coccidial drugs, such as products containing amprolium, chlortetracycline, decoquinate and sulfadimidine, are available for the control and prevention of coccidiosis in flocks where the disease has been a problem in previous years.\u00a0<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Diclazuril and toltrazuril are also licensed for the treatment and prevention of clinical coccidiosis in lambs. \u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Treating in the case of expected high oocyst challenge should not be done on the day of turnout but 10-14 days after. \u00a0Treatment may need repeating<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. \u00a0Studies carried out on treating on the basis of expected high challenge have shown lambs have reduced oocyst output, higher growth rates and less diarrhea <a href=\"#ref\">(Diaferia <em>et al<\/em>., 2013)<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>However, the use of prophylactic anti-coccidial drugs for the control and prevention of coccidiosis is not sustainable, and the emphasis should be on changes in management to control and prevent the disease <\/strong>(<a href=\"#ref\">Berriatua <em>et al.<\/em>, 1994<\/a>)<strong>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a id=\"diagnosis\"><\/a>Coccidia oocysts are extremely resistant to environmental stress, including exposure to disinfectants. Oocysts are, however, killed by heat, direct sunlight and drying, so housing should be cleaned at high temperatures to avoid the environmental build-up of\u00a0sporulated oocysts.<\/p>\n<div class=\"hr hr3\" style='margin:20px 0px 20px 0px !important;'><\/div>\n<h4>Diagnosing Coccidiosis in Sheep<\/h4>\n<p><a id=\"treatment\"><\/a>Due to the rapid multiplication and high shedding capacity of coccidia, high fecal oocyst counts of non-pathogenic species are often mistakenly used to diagnose severe coccidiosis infection, when in fact diagnosis should be based primarily on history\u00a0and\u00a0clinical signs.\u00a0<strong>Fecal oocyst counts can help complete the picture, <b>especially when speciation is available<\/b>, but oocyst numbers can be <a id=\"good_practice\"><\/a>grossly misleading when considered in isolation<\/strong> (<a href=\"#ref\">Taylor <em>et al<\/em>., 2007<\/a>).<\/p>\n<div class=\"hr hr3\" style='margin:20px 0px 20px 0px !important;'><\/div>\n<h4>Treating Coccidiosis in\u00a0Lambs<\/h4>\n<p>Oral drenches specifically for the treatment of lambs with coccidiosis <strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">are available. Your vet can advise on the most <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">appropriate<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> product.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"hr hr3\" style='margin:20px 0px 20px 0px !important;'><\/div>\n<h4>Good Practice Based on Current Knowledge<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li>Maintain low stocking densities<\/li>\n<li>Keep shelters and creep feeders dry, clean and move them regularly to prevent poaching<\/li>\n<li>Provide adequate clean litter and bedding for lambs kept indoors<\/li>\n<li>Graze late lambs on pasture not previously grazed by earlier lambs<\/li>\n<li>Treat affected lambs <strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">on the basis of fecal oocyst counts in combination with history and clinical signs<\/span><br \/>\n<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a id=\"ref\"><\/a>\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<div class=\"toggle\">\n<div class=\"toggle-title active\">Coccidiosis References<span><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"toggle-inner\">\n<div id=\"zotpress-429a7f7d395e8e9f52be8eb3b0d50c01\" class=\"zp-Zotpress zp-Zotpress-Bib wp-block-group\">\n\n\t\t<span class=\"ZP_API_USER_ID\" style=\"display: none;\">254757<\/span>\n\t\t<span class=\"ZP_ITEM_KEY\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/span>\n\t\t<span class=\"ZP_COLLECTION_ID\" style=\"display: none;\">XWMFDEVV<\/span>\n\t\t<span class=\"ZP_TAG_ID\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/span>\n\t\t<span class=\"ZP_AUTHOR\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/span>\n\t\t<span class=\"ZP_YEAR\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/span>\n        <span class=\"ZP_ITEMTYPE\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/span>\n        <span class=\"ZP_ITEM_TYPE\" style=\"display: none;\">items<\/span>\n\t\t<span class=\"ZP_INCLUSIVE\" style=\"display: none;\">1<\/span>\n\t\t<span class=\"ZP_STYLE\" style=\"display: none;\">apa<\/span>\n\t\t<span class=\"ZP_LIMIT\" style=\"display: none;\">0<\/span>\n\t\t<span class=\"ZP_SORTBY\" style=\"display: none;\">author<\/span>\n\t\t<span class=\"ZP_ORDER\" style=\"display: none;\">asc<\/span>\n\t\t<span class=\"ZP_TITLE\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/span>\n\t\t<span class=\"ZP_SHOWIMAGE\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/span>\n\t\t<span class=\"ZP_SHOWTAGS\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/span>\n\t\t<span class=\"ZP_DOWNLOADABLE\" style=\"display: none;\">1<\/span>\n\t\t<span class=\"ZP_NOTES\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/span>\n\t\t<span class=\"ZP_ABSTRACT\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/span>\n\t\t<span class=\"ZP_CITEABLE\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/span>\n\t\t<span class=\"ZP_TARGET\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/span>\n\t\t<span class=\"ZP_URLWRAP\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/span>\n\t\t<span class=\"ZP_FORCENUM\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/span>\n        <span class=\"ZP_HIGHLIGHT\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/span>\n        <span class=\"ZP_POSTID\" style=\"display: none;\">6552<\/span>\n\t\t<span class=\"ZOTPRESS_PLUGIN_URL\" style=\"display:none;\">https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/zotpress\/<\/span>\n\n\t\t<div class=\"zp-List loading\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"zp-SEO-Content\">\n\n\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .zp-zp-SEO-Content -->\n\t\t<\/div><!-- .zp-List -->\n\t<\/div><!--.zp-Zotpress-->\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p> [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":6557,"parent":1605,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-fullwidth.php","meta":{"footnotes":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6552"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6552"}],"version-history":[{"count":37,"href":"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6552\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11536,"href":"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6552\/revisions\/11536"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1605"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6557"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.farmhealthonline.com\/US\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6552"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}