Coccidiosis

Coccidiosis is caused by the protozoa Isospora suis and is the next most common cause of scours in piglets. It is often called the '10 day old scour' as piglets start scouring from 7-14 days of age. There are 3 phases to the coccidia life. Firstly, eggs are passed in faeces and then eaten by the next pig. The eggs then develop into the next stage where they enter the lining of the intestine and multiply. (This is when the scour starts due to damaging the intestinal lining.) The organisms then generates eggs that appear in the faeces 5 days after infection.

The scour is usually grey-yellow, frothy, watery-pasty. Growth rate may be reduced but deaths are not common with coccidiosis unless conditions are very poor. Those that recover from coccidiosis are then immune to getting it again.

Treatment

1. Fluid therapy. Electrolytes in bowls is usually adequate.

2. Coccidiocidal chemicals. Sulphonamide antibiotics may be of some assistance.

Control

1. Coccidiocidal chemicals. Toltrazuril (Baycox) can be given on day 4-5 or sulphadimidine can be given on day 3 & 5 to prevent coccidia numbers building up.

2. Wash sows and disinfect crates before entering.

3. Reduce contamination - remove sows dung daily, limit fostering, keep dry, apply lime to floors.