Coccidiosis is often not treated until clinical signs are evident; but new research shows that long term implications can be avoided by carefully timing the right treatment during the subclinical stage.
Sharon Cooksey BVSc, MRCVS, Bayer Animal Health Group Product Manager said that understanding coccidiosis and when the disease is likely to cause problems on farm, allows for targeted, early treatment before any significant damage is done.
“By working closely with your veterinary surgeon and establishing a herd health plan, this is achievable,” she says.
Recent research has shown that a ‘metaphylactic’ treatment approach - when the animal has been infected, but before the disease has had chance to take hold - produces the best long term results.
“It was proven that long term effects from subclinical coccidiosis in dairy heifer calves were significantly reduced and could be effectively maintained right up until full reproductive development and first service,” notes Sharon.
The research spanned a two year period where heifer calves on two farms, that had previously experienced problems with naturally acquired coccidiosis, were divided into two groups. One group was treated with Baycox and one group remained untreated. The calves were then monitored for two years to gather the long term results following the coccidiosis treatment.
“The results demonstrated that treatment with Baycox at the right time significantly reduced the average age to first service by 24 days in comparison with the non-treated control group.
“Other key long term benefits following treatment included positive effects on certain fertility parameters, including overall pregnancy rate, the first service conception rate and average services per conception as well as a significant reduction in oocyst shedding in the treatment group,” details Sharon.
This research clearly shows some important long term implications in relation to the effects of unmanaged coccidiosis.
Sharon concludes that the take home message of the new research is the paramount importance of getting treatment right at the right time, before coccidiosis develops and causes any long term implications.
“The positive impact on heifer development from correct subclinical coccidiosis treatment is clear to see in this research, with the reduction of days to first service alone being a powerful reason to seek veterinary advice.”
