Archive Case #68: Ovine Coccidiosis

Clinical Clues

1. Recently weaned lambs are developing dark diarrhoea and falling behind in growth.
2. The farmer reports that a few are straining and dirty around the tail.
3. Affected lambs are dull but remain on their feet.
4. The problem has appeared after crowding in a high-contamination environment.
5. Faecal testing shows heavy protozoal oocyst shedding in the lamb group.
6. Ovine coccidiosis commonly causes post-weaning diarrhoea, tenesmus, and poor thrift in young lambs.

Diagnosis

Ovine Coccidiosis

This case is most consistent with Ovine Coccidiosis because the lambs developed diarrhoea and ill thrift after weaning under conditions that favour coccidial build-up. The most important clues are the age group, straining, and faecal results, which make a primary nematode problem less likely.

Educational Use

Vetdle archive cases are educational veterinary games for diagnostic reasoning practice. They do not provide veterinary advice, diagnosis, treatment, or professional medical guidance.