Coccidia are opportunists. They’re present in feedyards, dairy barns and other places cattle congregate — primed for the opportunity to infect. Winter weather and management practices can give them just the break they need.
“Changes in weather and the switch to winter feed stress cattle and leave them open to infections, including coccidiosis,” says Dr. Don Briskey, Consultant, Merial Veterinary Professional Services. “Winter also typically sees cattle grouped more closely together than usual, increasing the likelihood that infection will occur.”
Coccidiosis infections typically occur in cattle from 6 to 12 months of age. However, the risk of older cattle becoming infected increases as cattle are moved from pastures to crowded feedyards or barns.7 That means even mature cattle — both beef and dairy — are at risk.
“Producers should stay on top of coccidiosis at all times. It’s a costly disease, and once the clinical signs appear, losses have already been incurred,” says Dr. Dale Blasi, Kansas State University beef specialist. “A preventive coccidiosis program as part of an overall health plan is the best approach. If cattle become sick, producers will have to play catch-up to get them back into shape.”
Once cattle become sick, losses can be significant. According to Kansas State University, research has indicated cattle may experience reduced feed consumption for up to 13 weeks following a clinical coccidiosis infection.8 Clinical cases also may result in death.
“Coccidiosis infection can happen anywhere infected cattle shed oocysts, however, the more crowded cattle are, the more concerned producers should be,” Dr. Blasi advises. “Even cattle in pastures can become infected because cattle tend to congregate in certain areas. Winter feeding in the same spot, for example, has the potential to concentrate oocysts and increase the chance of infecting more hosts.”
Oocysts also can lurk in the host, waiting for ideal conditions.
“Cattle can carry and shed oocysts without showing any signs of disease,” Dr. Briskey explains. “However, when conditions are right — such as when weather shifts, feed types are changed or when cattle are moved — the disease can develop.”8
Dr. Briskey warns that just because cattle aren’t showing outward signs of coccidiosis, it doesn’t mean that the disease isn’t robbing producers of production.9
“The cost of coccidiosis to the beef and dairy industries is staggering — especially when you consider that the figures do not factor in all the losses caused by the 95% of coccidiosis infections that are subclinical and never diagnosed,”9 Dr. Briskey explains. “To keep cattle in top condition, producers should administer a coccidiostat labeled for prevention.”
Dr. Blasi adds that a preventive strategy also can serve to reduce the likelihood of future coccidiosis problems.
“Using a coccidiostat preventively can help reduce the number of oocysts on the premise. The more oocysts are ingested, the worse the damage, so reducing the number of oocysts shed can be a great benefit,” Dr. Blasi says. “Producers should definitely consider a preventive plan if cattle are around a lot of manure or if there is a history of coccidiosis on the operation.”
In addition to using a trusted coccidiostat to prevent coccidiosis outbreaks, Dr. Briskey recommends minimizing stress where possible and avoiding feeding on the ground so coccidia have fewer opportunities to infect new hosts.
“A preventive strategy for coccidiosis pays twofold,” Dr. Briskey says. “It not only saves losses in weight gain or milk production, but saves producers and feedyard and dairy operators the time and expense of treating a coccidiosis outbreak.”
Source: Merial Animal Health