Naturally acquired coccidia infection in lambs in Otago

Authors: Mason P
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 25, Issue 1-2, pp 30-33, Jan 1977
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Livestock, Production animal, Ruminant, Sheep
Subject Terms: Alimentary system/gastroenterology, Protozoa, Infectious disease, Disease/defect, Parasites - internal
Article class: Scientific Article

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Abstract: The development of a naturally acquired coccidia infection in lambs in Otago is described using data derived from faecal oocyst counts and specific differentiation of the oocysts. Oocysts first appeared in faeces of lambs 19-37 days after birth. Oocyst production reached a mean peak of 250 000 oocysts per gram when lambs were 40-50 days old and slowly declined with increasing age of lambs. Coccidial infections did not appear to have any obvious effect on weight gain. The numerically most numerous species of coccidia were Eimeria ovina, E. crandallis, E. ninakohlyakimovae, E. parva and E. weybridgensis.

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