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Diarrhea in Kids likely caused by Coccidiosis |
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Diarrhea in Kids likely caused by Coccidiosis |
By Dr. Robert Morris
Morris Genetics
P.O. Box 158
Southwest City MO 64863
Coccidiosis is the most common cause of diarrhea in kids between three weeks and five months of age. It has been called a "man-made" disease because goats that are intensively managed are mainly affected. Other causes of diarrhea in kids are indigestion, overfeeding on milk or grain, sudden feed changes, E. Coli infection, and enterotoxemia. Stool samples can be examined under the microscope to determine if coccidia are the cause of a diarrhea.
Coccidia are single-celled protozoala parasites. They are very species specific, meaning that goat coccidia only aaffect goats. There are 16 species of Emenia coccidia known to infect goats, but only four cause much trouble.
Most exposures to coccidia cause subclinical infection and result in acquisition of a protective immunity. You should suspect subclinical coccidiosis if your kids show poor growth rates, weight loss or abnormal stools.
When non-immune animals (kids) are exposed to large numbers of infective oocysts, they get clinical coccidiosis. The signs of clinical coccidiosis result from the destruction of epithclial cells lining the gut. This destruction can occur in waves causing recurrent bouts of symptoms. The signs of colic (belly ache) and diarrhea result from destruction and inflammation of the intestinal lining (mucosa). Massive infections can lead to bloody diarrhea and death from blood lose. In my experience, I more commonly have a dead kid, usually with a abnormal stool and many oocysts. These kids die from acidosis, dehydration, and electrolyte imbalances, If the kid survives, the damage to the gut can be so severe it leaves you with a "runty" kid. This "ill thrift" results from prolongs malabsorption and maldigestion by the scarred gut.
Control
Good hygiene is essential to coccidiosis control. Coccidia oocysts are resistant to environmental degradion and to most disinfectants and can even overwinter. Moisture, the correct temperature and oxygen are needed for the oocysts to multiple and can happen as quickly as three days given the right conditions.
Clean up fecal pellets before the sporulate (refer to life cycly chart). Rake up or scrape pens and remove soiled or wet bedding every day. Do not wash down the area as this provides a source of moisture required by the coccidia.
Dry up all moist areas in the kidding or weaning pens and allow the sun light to disinfect the area.
Segregate kids by age and house in small groups
Never geed kids on the ground.
Design feeders so kids cannot climb on them and contaminate them with fecal pellets.
Keep a coccidiostat in kid rations.
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Prevention I prefer Decoquinate (Decox) in feed to provide 1 mg/Kq body wieght fed continuously. Decoquinate works early in the life cycle by inhibiting sporozite development. Lasalocid (Bovotec) also works well but coccidiosis outbreaks have been observed in young goats being ed this product. Monensis (Rumensin) is effective but is bitter so goats may not eat the feed. Ive had very little or no success using Amprolium (Corrid) in goats. The dose rate is listed as high as 110 mg/kg (10 times the cattle dose). Amprolium is a thiamine (vitamin b1) antagonist and high dose rates may provoke Polioencephalomalcia.
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Treatment
Clinical coccidiosis is life threatening. Supportive care with oral electrolytes, IV fluids, anti-inflammatory drugs and vitamins is the main therapy. I prefer sulfadimethoxine (Albon) as my main anti-coccidia drug. Broad spectrum antibiotics are also indicated in severe cases for bacterial septicemia from the damages gut. Contact you veterinarian.
In conclusion, let me re-emphasize the important of hygiene. If you discover you have a coccidiosis problem, the first step is to treat for the clinical signs. Then analyze the environment for any conditions that may be the source for an outbreak and change them. Always have your young animals on coccidiastat.