Coccidiosis
Coccidia are a group of intracellular protozoan parasites of the
phylum Apicomplexa. Amongst the genera are Eimeria, Isospora,
Neospora, Sarcocystis, Toxoplasma and Cryptosporidium.
Although several species of Eimeria are known to infect swine,
causing mild transient diarrhoea in individual cases, the major
causal agent of swine coccidiosis is Isospora suis, which usually
infects piglets within their first week of life.
Isospora suis goes through development stages both inside the
host animal and in the environment. The target organ of this
parasite is the small intestine, where it develops in the mucosal
tissue. Here, the developmental stages give rise to a
microscopic egg, called an oocyst. The oocysts of Isospora
suis is excreted with faeces. It is often impossible to
detect oocysts in the faeces of infected piglets during the acute
phase of the disease because they are not yet developed, which
makes confirmation of a diagnosis difficult.
Clinical coccidiosis occurs most commonly in piglets in the 2nd
and 3rd week of life. The initial clinical sign is a pasty
diarrhoea which becomes fluid (can be slightly frothy) and lasts
for up to 5 to 6 days. The faeces are white to yellow and
fatty or creamy, but can also be brownish or greyish. Blood
is never present. There are typically piglets with diarrhoea
and with normal faeces in the same litter. The piglets
affected most will be in poor condition, with a hairy coat.
A diagnosis of neonatal swine coccidiosis due to Isospora suis
is based on the clinical signs, herd history, and the demonstration
of the parasite. Faeces should be examined for oocysts.
The disease has to be differentiated from nutritional disturbances
and viral or bacterial infections.
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Baycox 5% for Piglets
For the control of coccidiosis caused by Isospora suis in neonatal piglets. Isospora suis infection is a major cause of diarrhoea, dehydration, loss of appetite, poor growth and occasional mortality in piglets between birth and 3-4 weeks of age.
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