As the weather warms and spring begins, farmers are focusing their attention on raising healthy and productive livestock. But with the changing season comes new problems, namely, coccidiosis. This parasitic illness is common in lambs and calves, so it’s important to take steps to prevent an outbreak on your farm. Here’s what you need to know about preventing coccidiosis in your livestock this spring.
What is Coccidiosis?
Coccidiosis is a parasitic illness that affects the intestinal tract of animals such as lambs and calves. The parasites are spread through contaminated food or water, or even just contact with contaminated soil or bedding material. Symptoms typically include diarrhoea, drowsiness, weight loss, dehydration, and a poor appetite. If left untreated, coccidiosis can be deadly for lambs and calves, so prevention is essential.
How Can I Prevent Coccidiosis?
The best way to protect your lambs and calves from coccidiosis is to reduce their exposure to the parasites that cause it in the first place. This means providing clean feeders, troughs, and bedding for your animals; replacing contaminated materials regularly; and never using manure as fertilizer on pastures where your animals will graze. You should also make sure that your animals have access to clean water at all times and if possible, use water purification systems like UV filters or chlorinators to remove any potential parasites from their drinking supply. Finally, keep a close eye on your lambs and calves for signs of infection - if you do see any symptoms of coccidiosis in them (such as diarrhoea or lethargy), seek out veterinary help right away.
Which Products Can I Use to Help Prevent Coccidiosis?
The first step in preventing coccidiosis is to use a broad-spectrum disinfectant such as Progiene Coxicur. This product is effective against viruses, bacteria, moulds and yeast, making it ideal for use in calf housing, calving areas, and lambing pens. It is also free from QACs (quaternary ammonium compounds) and cyanuric acid, making it suitable for dairy farmers. Progiene Coxicur can be easily applied by spray or foam and has a low odour.
Another way to help prevent coccidiosis is to use Downland Coxicert. This product helps treat lambs and calves while preventing further contamination of the environment. It comes as a single oral dose which makes it easy to administer with no meat withdrawal period required after treatment.
In Conclusion
Coccidiosis can be a serious problem for both lambs and calves during the springtime months but fortunately there are steps you can take to help prevent it from affecting your livestock. The key is reducing exposure by providing clean feeders, troughs, bedding materials, and water sources; replacing contaminated materials regularly; avoiding manure-based fertilizers on pastures; closely monitoring livestock for signs of infection. Additionally, using products such as Progiene Coxicur or Downland Coxicert can help protect your animals from coccidiosis while ensuring their environment is well ventilated will also help reduce their risk of infection. With proper prevention measures in place this spring season, you can help ensure the health of your livestock.
