Epidemiology and associated risk factors of coccidiosis in small ruminants of northern Punjab, India

Epidemiological analysis associated with risk factors was explored in combination with morphological characterization of Eimeria species of small ruminants in northern Punjab. Out of total 363 faecal samples collected from sheep and goats of nine districts of northern Punjab, 305 animals (84.02%) were infected with coccidiosis. The district-wise prevalence was highest (P<0.01) in Amritsar (100%) and lowest in Rupnagar (65.71%). Small ruminants reared in intensive management during the monsoon season, of 2 to 6 months age and specially the females, geographically from Amritsar district were more prone to Eimeria infection. Based on morphometric characterization, a total of five and seven Eimeria species were identified from sheep and goats, respectively. The predominant species were E. parva in sheep (39.78%) and E. arloingi in goats (37.11%). The copro-prevalence by multiple species of Eimeria oocysts without overt symptoms of disease or mortality suggested subclinical infection that leads to hidden losses and needs proper anticoccidial treatment along with the anthelmintic regimen.