Coccidiosis causes severe diarrhea, abdominal pain, and stunted growth in young calves, with prevention through hygiene and strategic treatment protecting welfare.
Coccidiosis causes significant suffering - calves with clinical disease experience bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain from tenesmus, dehydration, and in nervous coccidiosis, seizures and death. The condition is particularly welfare-concerning because it often occurs in recently weaned or transported calves who are already stressed. Prevention through good hygiene, appropriate stocking density, and strategic anticoccidial use dramatically reduces disease incidence. Early recognition and treatment shortens the suffering duration for affected calves significantly.