Farm

Putting a Cost on Coccidiosis

vetreportMarch 3, 2011

Coccidiosis can cause diarrhoea, which may contain blood and pieces of gut tissue. These signs can be dramatic but it is often in the animals where no adverse effects are observed that the greatest economic loss occurs. Underestimating the economic costs – such as decreased weight gain – can adversely affect farm profitability yet a number of studies have quantified the degree of weight loss producers can expect.

–       A trial taking place over six farms demonstrated that calves treated for coccidiosis with Vecoxan® 2.5 mg/ml Oral Suspension (diclazuril) gained 129 grams more per day compared to untreated calves ¹.

–       The same trial showed that 61% of the total weight loss came from calves not showing visible clinical signs of coccidiosis

–       A trial in male lambs showed that the mean fattening period was 52 days for lambs treated with Vecoxan 2.5 mg/ml Oral Suspension compared to 60 days for untreated controls. Feed conversion efficiency was increased by 7% after single dosing and 16% after double dosing with Vecoxan 2.5 mg/ml Oral Suspension, compared to untreated controls ².

–       Treated lambs on a farm with a history of coccidiosis had an increased weight gain of 30 grams per day compared to non treated lambs – an increase of 17.44% ³.

The benefit of treating all animals on the first day of clinical signs, or metaphylactically using Vecoxan® 2.5 mg/ml Oral Suspension and preventing these losses is clear to see.

References

1. Daugschies A, Agneessens J, Goossens L, Mengel H, Veys P. The effect of a metaphylactic treatment with diclazuril (Vecoxan) on the oocyst excretion and growth performance of calves exposed to a natural Eimeria infection. Veterinary Parasitology 149 (2007) 199–206.
   1. Veterinary Record 144, 16, 442-444 (1999) Economic benefits of prophylaxis with diclazuril against subclinical coccidiosis in lambs reared indoors. Alzieu J P, Mage C, Maes L, De Muelenaere C
   2. XXVII Jornada scientificas y VI jornades intrnacionales de la sociedad espaniola de ovinotechnica y caprinotechnica, Effect of the use of diaclazuril on the excretion of coccidia oocysts and production indices of Ternasco lambs, Gonzales J M, Ferrer L M, Gil J A, Uriarte J, Figueras L, Garcia L, Lacasta D, Barron L

Vecoxan^® 2.5 mg/ml Oral Suspension contains diclazuril 0.25% w/v Legal Category POM-VPS. Further information is available from Janssen Animal Health,

50-100 Holmers Farm Way, High Wycombe, Bucks, HP12 4EG Tel 01494 567555 Fax 01494 567556 Email: ahealth@its.jnj.com www.janssenanimalhealth.co.uk

Use medicines responsibly www.noah.co.uk/responsible

Advice on the use of this or alternative medicines should be sought from the medicine prescriber.