Treating Coccidiosis in Sub-Clinical Stages
GLOBAL – Timing coccidiosis treatment can support heifer development by using a ‘metaphylactic approach’ to target subclinical stages of the condition.
22 November 2013
1 minute read
Recent research shows treatment before clinical signs of coccidiosis returns the best results.
This requires establishing a herd health plan with a veterinary surgeon so that early treatments can be given before the damage is done, says Sharon Cooksey, of Bayer Animal Health.
Summarising the study, Mrs Cooksey said: “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.”
The study demonstrated that targeting coccidiosis at the right time reduced average age at first service to 24 days.
Mrs Cooksey added positive effects were also seen on fertility parameters, conception rate and a significant drop in oocyte shedding in the treatment group.
She concluded: “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.”
TheCattleSite News Desk
