OCCURRENCES OF EIMERIOSIS IN CALVES REARED ON SMALL FAMILY FARMS - SCIENTIFIC REPORT

Abstract Occurrences of eimeriosis were investigated among 110 Holstein-Friesian calves belonging to ten small family farms. Feces samples were collected from the rectum and were analyzed using qualitative and quantitative parasitological methods. In vitro sporulation was induced in feces samples positive for Eimeria sp. in order to subsequently identify the species under the microscope. All the farms were positive for species of the genus Eimeria with a prevalence of parasitized animals 48.2% for Eimeria. Eight species of the genus Eimeria were identified, among which E. bovis, E. auburnensis, and E. alabamensis were the most frequent, accounting for 23.6%, 11.8%, and 9.1%, respectively. Animals of up to six months of age that were managed collectively on pasture presented greater positivity for enteroparasites. The high prevalence of parasitic infection in young animals, especially due to coccidia of considerable pathogenicity, is an indicator of failure of sanitary management. Careful monitoring using specific drugs for controlling infections and reducing losses from animal rearing is needed.