Farm Animal Welfare

Pig Neonatal Coccidiosis Welfare

Neonatal coccidiosis caused by Cystoisospora suis causes diarrhoea and suffering in piglets in the first weeks of life. Prevention protects welfare at the most vulnerable stage.

Key Facts

C. suis typically causes disease between 5 and 15 days of age
Profuse diarrhoea causes dehydration and growth retardation
Toltrazuril given at 3-5 days of age prevents clinical disease
Environmental hygiene reduces oocyst contamination in farrowing pens
Affected piglets may suffer significant mortality without treatment

Welfare Considerations

Piglets with coccidiosis experience painful diarrhoea during the first critical weeks of life. The high environmental persistence of oocysts means that once farrowing pens are contaminated, year-round prevention is required. Targeted toltrazuril treatment protects piglets through this vulnerable window with minimal intervention.

What You Can Do

Implement toltrazuril treatment protocols in affected farrowing systems
Maintain thorough hygiene in farrowing pens to reduce oocyst burden
Monitor piglet diarrhoea incidence as an indicator of coccidiosis pressure
Work with a pig vet to diagnose and control coccidiosis in your herd