ABSTRACT
Coccidiosis can cause considerable morbidity and mortality, especially when lambs are reared in production systems that involve a high stocking rate. Clinical coccidiosis may also occur in extensive management systems, particularly when there is a high population density and a reduction in pasture availability. The role of passive immunity in ovine coccidiosis is controversial. Some authors consider that feeding colostrum protects lambs from coccidiosis during the first weeks of life. The pathogenicity of Eimeria may also be modified if coccidiosis is associated with concomitant infections caused by parasites or even other pathogenic agents such as viruses or bacteria. In lambs with mild coccidiosis, there is some degree of inappetence, a reduction in weight gain, uneven lamb size, and higher food conversion ratio. In very ill animals, in addition to individual coccidiosis therapy, supportive care should be taken into account in order to correct dehydration and electrolyte imbalances and reestablish homeostasis.
