Eimeria Alabamensis Infection as a Cause of Diarrhoea in Calves at Pasture

Authors

  • E. Catarina Svensson Experimental Station, Veterinary Institute, P.O.Box 234, S-532 23 Skara, Sweden
  • Arvid Uggla Department of Parasitology, National Veterinary Institute, P.O.Box 7073, S-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
  • Bo G. Pehrson Experimental Station, Veterinary Institute, P.O.Box 234, S-532 23 Skara, Sweden

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21423/aabppro19926555

Keywords:

Diarrhoea, Eimeria alabamensis, oocysts, coccidial infection

Abstract

Diarrhoea in calves during their first few weeks on pasture is a well-known problem in Sweden and traditionally this has been thought to be due to the change of diet. From previous studies (1) it is known that the diarrhoea is sometimes accompanied by a large increase in the excretion of oocysts of Eimeria species, predominantly of Eimeria alabamensis. The fact that the interval between turning out and the appearance of large numbers of oocysts in the faeces corresponds closely with the prepatent period of E. alabamensis (6-8 days) suggests that oocysts that have overwintered on the pasture are the source of the infection.

The aims of the trial described here were to test this hypothesis and to assess the clinical significance of the coccidial infection.

Cover image of the Third Volume of the 25th Conference Proceedings: An earl-morning photo of farmland. A small farm is nestled among rolling hills, fields stretching across a curving road that disappears between dark green trees. The barn is a cheery red color with a tin roof. Beneath the photo is the a statement of the conference's theme in white italics: Challenges of the Bovine Industry in the Twenty-First Century. Deep red background.

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Published

1992-08-31

Issue

1992: Volume 3

Section

Parasitology

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