Coccidiosis in rabbits in a subtropical hilly region

A detailed study on rabbit coccidiosis in a subtropical hilly region of India regarding prevalence, intensity of infections, species involved and control measures adopted during mortality in a rabbit farm due to coccidiosis, was undertaken for awareness of the rabbit owners of the hilly region. Overall 57.28% rabbits were found positive for coccidial infections. Mortality in rabbit was diagnosed due to coccidiosis. Six species of Eimeria were identified i.e. E. magna, E. exigua, E. piriformis, E. coecicola, E. intestinalis and E. media and thus intestinal coccidiosis were found responsible for such mortality. Treatment with oral administration of amprolium soluble powder 20% w/w @1g/ litre of drinking water for 10 days was found to be effective to control the mortality while individual treatment was found effective to control mortality rather than group treatments. A correlation between occurrences of coccidiosis with meteorological parameters was also established. It has been concluded from this study that pathogenesity of species of Eimeria and effectiveness of medicine are region specific. Only intestinal coccidiosis could able to causes mortality in rabbit without involvement of the hepatic coccidiosis. The rainy season particularly the month of August was very much susceptible for coccidian infection in subtropical hilly region.