Coccidiosis (Cocci) can be a problem in lambs and calves from around 3 weeks of age. This is a protozoal parasite that causes severe damage by bursting the cells of the intestinal lining in growing lambs and calves. Initial signs may be very minor, such as reduced weight gain, but can develop into grey scours, blood in the muck, dehydration, straining, and, in the most severe cases, it can be fatal.
Coccidiosis must be diagnosed using a worm egg count, as several other possibilities can cause similar-looking signs, such as Nematodirus and Salmonella. These counts can easily be run at our in-house lab. We are seeing extremely high WEC results, with some exceeding 100,000.
Treatment should be prompt and consists of a specific antiparasitic oral drench. Some individuals may require additional supportive care if they are severely affected; this can be discussed with your vet.
The parasite lasts for a long time in the environment, so farms that had a cocci issue last year are highly likely to have it again this year. They are species-specific, so there is no crossover between calves and lambs. It is mainly a disease of youngstock, so it is often not clinically relevant in adults because they have built immunity, but they do act as carriers. Severe problems can be exacerbated by reduced immunity, for example, due to low trace element status.
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