Coccidiosis
This disease is caused by a group of protozoan parasites
called coccidia. Two important members of this group namely, Eimeria tenella
and Eimeria mitis affect caeca (caecal coccidiosis) and anterior portion of the
small intestine (intestinal coccidiosis) respectively. The symptoms are
droppings containing oocysts of coccidia, bloody diarrhoea, general weakness,
loss of appetite, increasing thirst and scattered feathers etc. Paralysis of
wings may occur. Treatment is done by the administration of 1/2% mixture of
sulphamezathene and sulphaquinoxalme with drinking water for about a week.
Preventive measures include general improvement in the sanitary condition of
the rearing house and the administration of sulpha drugs with the feed from
time to time.