Baycox® 5% in Sheep

Coccidiosis is a disease of the intestinal tract of sheep caused by protozoa parasite Eimeria sp. Coccidiosis is usually insidious and the disease only becomes evident in infected animals after they show clinical signs such as diarrhoea, debilitation, or refusal of feed. Following the ingestion of sporulated coccidia oocysts from a contaminated environment, the parasite attaches to the epithelial lining of the intestines, invades and multiplies in the intestinal cells. After the pre-patent period of 12 - 20 days depending on the Eimeria species involved and its patogenicity, sheep start shedding oocysts in the faeces and contaminating the environment.

Sheep coccidiosis has greatest impact on lambs less than 3 month old, causing severe damage to the intestinal tract. It is associated with diarrhoea, dehydration, impared weight gain, or weight loss and death in some cases (Helle, 1970; Gjerde and Helle, 1991; Reeg et al., 2005). The economic impact of coccidiosis was calculated in small ruminants by Fitzgerald in 1980, at around US $ 140 million annually worldwide.

Bayer Animal Health has more than 40 years experience in the control of coccidiosis.. Numerous studies have been conducted and published by Bayer Animal Health about the epidemiology and control of coccidiosis in different animal species. Baycox® 5 % oral suspension has been developed by Bayer Animal Health for the control of coccidiosis in sheep as a single one-dose ready to use product.