Prevalence of coccidian oocysts in sheep and goat faecal samples: a preliminary report based on laboratory records

Abstract

Diagnostic records from sheep and goat faecal samples examined at the University of Nairobi Veterinary School, Kenya, were examined for Eimeria prevalence. Yearly analysis revealed that in all but 2 of the years, coccidiosis was more common in goat samples than in those from sheep, with the highest prevalences 73.4% (in 1985) for goats and 65.1% (in 1982) for sheep. Goat samples were also more frequently positive for Eimeria oocysts when incidence was calculated on a monthly basis, in every month but September. Among both groups of animals, the highest prevalence of organisms was in June and the lowest between February and April. It is believed that the higher prevalence amongst goats may be because in this area of Kenya they are often kept in small enclosures with no available grazing, leading to moist and unhygienic conditions.