If producers aren’t thinking about coccidiosis prevention and treatment, the fall weather may leave a chill in the air and on their pocketbook. Fall weather paired with weaning, confinement or other stressors can mean increased incidences of coccidiosis, and even subclinical infections can cause decreased growth rates and increased feed requirements to produce a pound of gain.

“Coccidiosis is one of the most economically significant diseases in both the beef and dairy industries,” says Dr. Joe Dedrickson, Manager for Merial Veterinary Services. “It’s usually present in the environment and hits cattle when they’re most vulnerable, causing major production losses for beef and dairy producers.”

Signs of a coccidiosis infection include watery diarrhea in mild cases. In more advanced cases, rapid dehydration, weight loss and anorexia can occur. Coccidiosis results in reduced feed consumption, bodyweight and feed efficiency, and, in severe cases, mortality. Clinical signs do not develop until the final stages of the parasite’s cycle in the host. This is problematic because once signs do appear, parasites already have damaged the intestines. Pair that with the fact that it is estimated only 5 percent of infected animals exhibit clinical signs and the case for prevention becomes clear.

“Being proactive and practicing coccidiosis prevention is a good strategy for most producers and is the only way to help avoid or even minimize loss from this disease,” Dr. Dedrickson says. “Producers should administer a coccidiostat labeled for prevention and treatment when coccidiosis infections seem likely.”

The stress from confinement situations puts animals at particular risk, Dedrickson says. Calves weaned on-farm, cattle entering feedyards and young dairy animals are all at high risk. In feedyards, the highest incidences of coccidiosis occur in the first 21 days after arrival.

Management also can reduce the risk of coccidiosis to some extent. Producers and dairy managers should minimize stress, avoid feeding on the ground, and keep feed and water clear of fecal contamination.

“Sound management techniques always are a good idea,” Dedrickson says. “However, since coccidiosis is present in all kinds of environments and operations, it is important that producers use a product that can help prevent the problem altogether and can be used in feed, in water or as a drench.”  PD

References omitted but are available upon request at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

—Excerpts from Merial VPS SHARE Newsletter, September 2008