Coccidiosis in birds

Coccidiosis is a disease caused by protozoa of the genus Eimeria, these attack different parts of the intestine causing low weight gain, poor pigmentation, diarrhea and, in severe cases, high mortality. There are several species of coccidia, however, three species are the most important due to their high prevalence and commercial importance.

Eimeria acervulina

This species lodges mainly in the duodenum, causes poor absorption of pigmentation and low weight gain due to poor absorption of nutrients; the lesions are seen as 2 to 3 mm white plaques over the duodenum, the intestinal mucosa appears thickened.

Eimeria maxima

It tends to lodge in the middle part of the small intestine (jejunum and ileum), its presence directly affects weight gain, at necropsy small hemorrhages can be observed throughout the intestine, a mucosal scraping should be taken to identify the species since macroscopic lesions are not confirmatory.

Eimeria Tenella

Highly pathogenic species that mainly affects the ceca, the exacerbated presence of the protozoan causes weight loss and high mortality in the flocks, at necropsy the ceca are observed with hemorrhage and irritated mucosa.

The presence of eimerias it tends to allow entry of other pathogens such as clostidium and Escherichia coli, causing septicemia and leaving field challenges.

Treatment

The best way to treat coccidiosis is to prevent it, there are several products on the market for the prevention of this disease, such as:

Anticoccidials

They are mainly antibiotics that completely eliminate parasites in the intestine, these are used in broilers due to their short life cycle, among the drugs we find toltrazuril, diclazuril and sulfa.

Coccidiostats

Mainly used in breeders and layers due to its long life cycle.

Creating an immunity in birds is essential so that intestinal damage does not cause economic losses. Within the coccidostats we can find Inoforos, chemical and combined.

probiotics

They are good bacteria that reduce pathogenic bacteria, helping to have a better intestinal integrity, stimulates the immune status of the bird, causing it not to be affected by weight loss.

These products can be found in our catalog.

At Nutritec we have different preventive products and treatments that can be used so that coccidia diseases are a problem of the past.