Epidemiological Studies on Calve Coccidiosis in Dairy Farms in South Wollo Zone Amhara Region, Ethiopia

Abstract

A cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2015 up to April 2016 to determine the prevalence of calf Coccidiosis, identify the associated risk factors and to determine the intensity of infection in selected dairy farms from eight woreda of south Wollo zone, Ethiopia. Fecal samples were randomly collected from nine hundred calves belonging to twenty purposively selected dairy farms and were examined for the presence of the oocysts of Eimeria by floatation technique using concentrated sucrose solution. The study revealed that the overall prevalence of coccidiosis was 24.3%. The risk factors considered were age, breed, production system and hygiene status of the dairy farms. The prevalence of Coccidiosis was higher within calves in poor hygiene dairy farms than caves from better hygiene. There was significant difference (P<0.05) in the prevalence of Coccidiosis between the different age groups with the highest prevalence in age category less than 6 months (31.5%). There was also significant variation (P<0.05) between calf breeds. The highest prevalence of Coccidiosis was recorded in calves with diarrheic faeces (61.5%) than the other calves with soft and normal fecal consistency (P<0.05). Appropriate monitoring and control of the disease is advisable in the study farms.