Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Eimeria Infections in Dairy Calves in Haramaya University, Haramaya and Harar Towns

Abstract

A cross sectional study was conducted from November 2014 up to March 2015 in Haramaya University, Haramaya and Harar towns to determine the prevalence of Eimera infection in calves. Fecal samples were collected from a total of 266 calves between the ages of 1 day to 6 month. Samples were examined for the presence of Eimeria oocyst by flotation techniques. Out of 266 calves, 65(24.4 %) were found to be positive for Eimeria infection. There were statistically significant differences (ρ< 0.05) in the prevalence of Eimeria between calves with different fecal consistency, hygienic status of the farm and calf housing. Diarrheic calves had significantly higher prevalence than calves with soft and normal feces. Poor hygienic status in the farm increased the prevalence of Eimeria infection and calves kept mixed with other animals of the herd had higher prevalence (35.33 %) of Eimeria infection than calves separately housed (13.53 %) with their peers. No statistically significant prevalence difference (P>0.05) was observed between calves of different sex, age and farm size. In conclusion, the study revealed that calf eimeiosisis was prevalent in Haramaya University, Haramaya and Harar towns Dairy farms and consequently affects the productivity of the sector. Hence, appropriate disease prevention and control measures are require to be undertaken to reduce its effect.