Control of Coccidiosis due to Eimeria bovis and Eimeria zuernii in Calves with Toltrazuril under Field Conditions in Comparison with Diclazuril and Untreated Controls

摘要

The efficacy of preventive treatment with toltrazuril against natural infections with Eimeria bovis and/or Eimeria zuernii in calves was investigated in comparison with diclazuril and untreated controls. The study was conducted as a multi-centred, blinded, controlled and randomised field study, with 164 calves at four centres (farms) in northern, eastern and southern Germany. All participating farms had a known history of coccidiosis. Animals were randomised to treatment 14 days after stabling in the respective facility: group I (57 animals) received 15 mg toltrazuril per kg body weight, group II (54 animals) 1 mg diclazuril per kg body weight and group III (53 animals) served as sham-treated controls. The assessment of efficacy was based on oocyst excretion of E. bovis and E. zuernii (opg) throughout the study (three to four times per week; study duration 57 days).