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Veterinary Surgeon
Alan Walker
XLVets Practice
Armour Veterinary
Centre, Ayrshire
Duncan Gaudie & Iain McCulloch
W
e recently held an on-farm meeting in conjunction with Harbro
(animal feed company) on Coccidiosis in calves. This was as a
result of increasing numbers of confirmed cases over the previous year
mainly presenting as an ill-thrift problem with the occasional acute case.
COCCIDIOSIS
IN CALVES
Coccidiosis has now been identified as a
problem on over 50% of the dairy farms
we attend. We are also seeing problems
in suckling beef calves.
The calves affected are often around 2-3
months old, although we have seen problems
in calves as young as one month old and in
calves up to nine months old. This disease is
caused by a protozoa, the eggs of which are
found in the environment, which the calf
then ingests. These eggs are able to survive
in the environment for long periods of time
and are resistant to many disinfectants.
The protozoa infiltrate the gut lining and
replicate causing extensive damage to
the intestines which leads to decreased
absorption of fluids and nutrients and
eventually diarrhoea.
WORKING
TOGETHER
FOR A HEALTHIER FUTURE...
D A I R Y F E A T U R E
Alan R Walker BVMS MRCVS
Armour Veterinary Centre
17
LIVESTOCK MATTERS