Coccidiosis Coccidiosis is a disease of major importance to the sheep industry. Appearance of affected animals can be similar to those seen with worm parasitism. Affected animals typically show diarrhea and passage of blood in feces. Poor growth and death losses are encountered. The condition is caused by a small, protozoan parasite which invades the lining of the intestinal tract.
Diagnosis is obtained similarly to that of worm infestations.
Management and drugs used for prevention and treatment of coccidiosis are different than those used in worm parasitism. Diagnosis Diagnosis of gastrointestinal worms should be confirmed whenever possible. Clinical signs alone are not to be interpreted as diagnostic since other health and nutritional problems can cause relatively the same signs. Fecal examination of manure samples is the most frequently used diagnostic tool. Composite samples from several animals in the flock or from individual animals should be examined microscopically.