Seasonal occurrence of coccidia in a mixed herd of sheep and goats at Nebo, northern province, South Africa.

C.K Harper,B.L Penzhorn

doi:10.4102/jsava.v69i3.824

Abstract

The seasonal occurrence of coccidial oocysts was determined in a mixed herd of indigenous goats and cross-bred sheep at Nebo, Northern Province, South Africa. The herd of c. 30 sheep was housed with c. 70 goats in 1 camp. Over a period of 14 months, 114 faecal specimens were collected from sheep and 369 from goats and the number of oocysts per gram of faeces (OPG) determined. The mean OPG value for the adult sheep (1187.9) was significantly (p = 0.035) lower than the mean OPG value for the adult goats (7042.9). The highest mean value was recorded in the adult sheep during March 1996 (3044.4) and in adult goats during June 1995 (51568.7).

Highlights

Coccidiosis in small stock is caused by Eimeria spp
Prevalence studies have shown that Eimeria oocysts are widely present in the faeces of both normal and diseased individuals, e.g. 91 % of goats and 93 % of sheep were infected in Tanzania[3]
Over the period of 14 months, 114 samples were collected from sheep and 369 from goats

Summary

Introduction

Coccidiosis in small stock is caused by Eimeria spp. the cumulative effect of helminthosis and coccidiosis, as well as other factors, must be taken into account, coccidiosis remains a very important cause of enteric disease and mortality in young animals[1].Eimeria spp. have been isolated from sheep and goats on all continents. Coccidiosis in small stock is caused by Eimeria spp. The cumulative effect of helminthosis and coccidiosis, as well as other factors, must be taken into account, coccidiosis remains a very important cause of enteric disease and mortality in young animals[1]. Eimeria spp. have been isolated from sheep and goats on all continents. Prevalence studies have shown that Eimeria oocysts are widely present in the faeces of both normal and diseased individuals, e.g. 91 % of goats and 93 % of sheep were infected in Tanzania[3]. A close morphological similarity exists between the oocysts of the Eimeria spp. of sheep and goats[6]. Certain wellcontrolled experiments have shown negative results when cross-transmission of Eimeria spp. has been attempted between these species[5]

Methods

Results

Conclusion