Bovine coccidiosis is a type of intestinal protozoal disease caused by various coccidia, clinically characterized by hemorrhagic enteritis. This disease often occurs in the process of cattle farming among breeders. In the early stages of the disease, symptoms such as depression, decreased appetite, and rough hair may appear. Let's learn about the symptoms and control methods of bovine coccidiosis together.
Symptoms and Diagnosis
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Epidemiological Characteristics: Bovine coccidiosis mainly affects calves and generally occurs in spring, summer, and autumn, especially during rainy seasons. It is more likely to occur in damp and low-lying grazing areas.
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Clinical Symptoms: The disease often has an acute course. In the early stage, the animal may exhibit depression, lying down frequently, decreased or loss of appetite, rough hair coat, and watery feces mixed with mucus and blood. About 7 days later, the body temperature rises to 40-41 degrees Celsius, the symptoms worsen, and in the terminal stage, almost all feces are bloody, dark, and foul-smelling. Death usually occurs within 10-15 days.
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Pathological Examination: The main pathological changes include hemorrhagic inflammation and necrotic lesions in the rectum, colon, or cecum.
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Laboratory Diagnosis: Suspicious cattle feces are collected and examined by saturated salt flotation method or direct smear microscopy of rectal mucosal scrapings. A diagnosis can be confirmed if a large number of coccidian eggs are found.
Prevention and Treatment
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Treatment: Sulfaquinoxaline is administered at an initial dose of 150mg per kilogram of body weight, with a maintenance dose of 100mg per kilogram. It is combined with sulfathiazole, administered orally at an initial dose of 150mg per kilogram of body weight, with a maintenance dose of 100mg per kilogram, twice daily for 3-7 days for better results. Amprolium is administered at a dose of 25mg per kilogram of body weight once daily for 4-5 days. Lincomycin is given at 1 gram per head per day, mixed into drinking water, for 21 days. Antibacterial and anti-inflammatory drugs may be used as needed when the body temperature rises.
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Disinfection: During the epidemic period, use 2%-3% caustic soda solution or 0.4%-1% compound powder solution or 1:100 chlorhexidine solution for disinfection of floors, cattle sheds, feed troughs, etc., once a week. Feces and other waste must be properly treated.
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Isolation: Adult cattle are often carriers of the parasite and should be kept separate from calves. Before nursing, the udders should be cleaned, and cows and calves should be separated promptly after nursing.
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Medicated Prevention: Add amprolium to feed and water at a dose of 5mg per kilogram of body weight daily for 21 days.
Above are the key points of prevention and treatment for bovine coccidiosis. Cattle breeders can refer to and learn from them according to their actual situation to take preventive measures in advance.
