Coccidiosis in Cattle

Cattle coccidiosis is caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Eimeria and has been reported from all parts of the world.

After the ingestion of Eimeria oocysts, the oocysts' development in intestinal tissue causes severe damage to the intestinal mucosa, resulting in a loss of epithelium associated with diarrhoea of varying severity, secondary infections, and even mortality.

In mild cases of coccidiosis, the animals have diarrhoea with little or no blood. They may also have anorexia that leads to poor condition and retarded growth. The consequences of the damage caused to the intestine by a coccidiosis episode include secondary bacterial infections that raise production costs for the producer.

For all the aforementioned reasons, bovine coccidiosis is considered a serious and important disease throughout the world.