Abstract
Bovine coccidiosis is a protozoan infection caused by different species of Eimeria which has a worldwide distribution. The disease which mainly affects calves belongs to large herd size where hygiene is not well managed and is associated with poor body condition. A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2016 to April 2017 to determine the prevalence of bovine coccidiosis and identify the associated risk factors in semi intensive and extensive dairy farms in and around Holeta town, Finfine Zuria Liyu Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia. Fecal samples were randomly collected from three hundred and eighty four calves belonging to dairy farms and examined for the presence of the oocyts of Eimeria by floatation technique using saline solution. The study revealed that the overall prevalence of coccidiosis was 26.04%. The risk factors considered were age, sex, breed, production system, herd size, fecal consistency, body condition and hygienic status of the house. The prevalence of coccidiosis was higher within calves in poor hygienic (58.6%) dairy farms than calves from better hygienic farms (14.6%). There was also significant difference (P 10 animals (39.3%). The highest prevalence of coccidiosis was recorded in calves with diarrheic faeces (91.7%) than calves with soft, constipated and normal fecal consistency (P<0.05). Appropriate monitoring and control of the disease is advisable in the study farms. Key words: Calf, coccidiosis, dairy farms, Eimeria, Holeta, prevalence.
Highlights
Ethiopia is endowed with abundant livestock resources of varied and diversified genetic roles with specific adaption to its wide range of agro ecologies (CSA, 2015)
The present study was conducted in extensive and semi intensive farms found in and around Holeta town located in Finfine Zuria Liyu Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia during the period between November 2016 and April 2017 to determine calf coccidiosis and its putative risk factors
The result of the present study conducted in three localities of Holota town and its environs showed an overall prevalence of 26.04% coccidian infection in calves
Summary
Ethiopia is endowed with abundant livestock resources of varied and diversified genetic roles with specific adaption to its wide range of agro ecologies (CSA, 2015). This great livestock potential is not properly exploited due to many prevailing socio economic values and attitudes, traditional management methods, limited genetic potential and rampant disease. Health gastrointestinal parasites and the severity of infection vary considerably depending on the genera of helminth and protozoan parasites involved, animal species, local environmental conditions such as humidity, temperature, rainfall, vegetation and management practices (Debela, 2002; Sandhu and Singla, 2005; Wadhawa et al, 2011 )
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