Timing of Treatment

It is evident from the life cycle of the parasite that the asexual and sexual phases inflict severe damage to the intestine, and oocysts are excreted after the damage is already done. The damage done to the intestine during prepatent period is severe.

The prepatent period (the time taken from day of infection to start of oocyst excretion) is 17-22 days for Eimeria bovis, while for Eimeria zuernii it is 16-19 days. The prepatent period for Eimeria alabamensis is 6-8 days. 

The timing of therapeutic intervention is key to achieving optimal results. The treatment during the prepatent period ensures that the animals do not suffer clinical disease. The treatment after oocysts are seen in the faeces would only reduce the further deterioration.
 
Coccidiosis is dynamic and insidious on a farm where different animals are at different stages of disease development (depending on infective dose and time of infection). However, depending on the history of the farm and coccidiosis episodes one can deduce the suitable time of treatment (approximately one week before anticipated clinical symptoms).

The mechanism of action (activity against all intracellular development stages of coccidia) and kinetic behaviour of Baycox® (longer stay time in the body), gives a wider intervention window and ensures that most of the developing stages of parasites are killed and animals do not suffer clinical symptoms.

Further, Baycox® not only controls coccidia infection, but also does not impair the ability of animals to acquire immunity, thus promoting resistance to re-infection (Steinfelder et. al., 2005).