The costly infection which could hit lambs this spring

Coccidiosis remains a large issue in the sheep sector, and if not managed effectively, the disease can have major implications to lamb health and farm profitability.

Lambs around six to eight weeks of age are at high risk of coccidiosis infection, so farmers need to be vigilant and identify infection as soon as possible.

To effectively treat infected lambs, farmers need to be proactive in identifying if there is a problem on-farm as soon as possible.

Any lambs which are scouring and appear to be stunted in growth, or groups of lambs which appear uneven, that are not gaining weight at the rate of the rest of the flock, should be noted, and samples taken to see if coccidiosis is an issue.

Faecal oocyst counts are conducted to identify the presence of coccidiosis, including samples from lambs in all grazing areas to have a full understanding of the issue.

When infection is identified, treatment with Baycox® at the right time, after exposure but before clinical signs are seen and major damage is done, will then kill the coccidia before they have the chance to multiply dramatically.

Clinical coccidiosis causes severe damage to the intestine, which can negatively affect the lamb’s performance, and ultimately prolong the time it takes for lambs to finish.

Control before infection reaches these clinical stages is therefore vital to maintain lamb growth rates.

It’s really important to be vigilant for small changes in lamb performance to catch coccidiosis while it’s subclinical.

It’s important to make a note for next year’s lambing season of the high-risk areas on the farm.

For coccidiosis control, strategic management is key. If this year has shown there to be an issue on-farm, note which fields are high-risk so you’re aware for future years. Ensure a plan of action is in place pre-lambing, so prevention, control and treatment can be implemented to keep on top of the issue.

Coccidiosis is a costly disease, so if there are any doubts of infection, discuss testing with your vet. The disease can have massive impact on lamb health and productivity, but if treated early enough, treatment is effective, and you don’t lose productivity from lambs that aren’t thriving.

Dr Jenny Hull is a veterinary surgeon at Alnorthumbria Vets.

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Notes to editors: Issued by: Becky Callaghan, Pinstone Communications Ltd, e-mail: r.callaghan@pinstone.co.uk Tel: 01568 617626

Becky Callaghan

Account Executive

Pinstone Communications Ltd | dd: 01568 617 626 |