The prevalence of coccidia of goats in Ol'magogo farm in Kenya

Abstract

A short survey was carried out to determine the validity of the identification based on the morphology of the unsporulated and sporulated oocysts and to ascertain the types of species infecting goats in the farm in 1910 goats. East African goats, Galla, Anglo Numbian and Toggenburg of both sexes and ages ranging between 6-24 months were used. Faecal samples were taken from individual goats and the number of oocytes per gram rectally of faeces was estimated. Seven species of Eimeria were identified in the survey. E. arloingi was the most common (70.6 percent) followed by E. ninakohlyakimovae (64.7 percent) and E. hirci (58.8 percent). No fluctuations were observed in the prevalence of coccidia. There was also no seasonal fluctuation. The overall presence of multiple species of coccidia makes diagnosis difficult thus, the clinician has to rely on the history and clinical picture of the flock.