Treatments for Coccidisis in Cattle

Treatments for Coccidisis in Cattle

 

Disease prevention may seem costly at the time, but it usually pays big dividends especially with a certain bovine problem. I'm Jeff Keane; I'll tell you about this disorder right after one short message.All diseases are costly to the cattle industry, but coccidiosis is one of the top five most expensive ailments with an estimated price of $100 million annually. An article in Drovers magazine by Holly Foster caught my eye since we have had more than one experience with the nasty little coccidia parasite. I really wanted to see if there was any new ideas for dealing with the disease. Clinical signs of the problem are acute diarrhea, with or without blood, and severe weight loss. The bloody diarrhea cases, of course, are pretty easy to diagnose, but subclinical cases are harder to pinpoint. Infected cattle may appear healthy but will not gain weight quite to their potential and since they are more susceptible to other infections, those infections will manifest themselves hiding the real culprit. Coocidia are always present in the environment and there is no disinfectant that will destroy them. Stress seems to be the main reason coccidisis becomes a problem. All of the experts cited in the article agree prevention along with good animal husbandry practice is the best cure, but if an outbreak occurs the worst cases can be treated with amprolium or sulfonamide. Infected cattle can be treated with a coccidiostat in their water source. I know from experience prevention and treatment can both be expensive, but prevention is a way easier route to take. I'm Jeff Keane.
Drovers, March 15, 2009
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