Further data on the frequency, risk factors and economic impact of sheep coccidiosis in the Canary Islands

Abstract

Species of the genus Eimeria are species-specific parasitic protozoa, monoxenes found in the gastrointestinal tract of poultry and mammals. Coccidiosis affects the health and profitability of ruminants and, therefore, causes serious economic losses, since it can affect all the animals in the farm depending on the way they are managed. The aim of this study was to analyze the prevalence of ovine coccidiosis in farms on the island of Gran Canaria and to identify, by means of a questionnaire, the risk factors and the economic impact of this parasitic disease. Fecal material was collected from lambs and adult ewes of seven farms of the island. Oocyst quantification was performed for each sample and identification of the different species of ovine Eimeria was carried out. During the visits to the farms, surveys were made to the farmers and veterinarians responsible for each farm in order to obtain useful information about them and to interpret the parasitological results. The results obtained show the presence of Eimeria spp. in all the farms sampled and also the predominance of E. ovinoidalis. The prevalence of the parasite was variable, being the level of infection of lambs higher than adults in all farms. However, very few clinical signs were seen in both age groups. Management conditions were correlated with the parasitological data obtained, such as the size of the farm or the breeding system, as well as the lack of knowledge of the farmers about coccidiosis, since only one of the farms studied was using anticoccidial treatments. The data obtained here are a further contribution to previous studies performed in this area and would allow to obtain more consistent conclusions in order to find effective management strategies against ovine coccidiosis, including the prevention of resistance to anticoccidials.