EIMERIA SPECIES INFECTION IN SMALL RUMINANTS IN KUWAIT

Coccidiosis is one of the most economical diseases of sheep and goat production industry in the world. But, the information about this disease is scanty in Kuwait. This study gave data about Eimeria species and their prevalence on small ruminant farms. Fecal samples from 79 sheep and 65 goats were collected and examined by floatation method for Eimeria infection. The positive samples were put in Potassium dichromate (2.5%) for oocysts sporulation, identified by the morphological characteristics. The results revealed that goats had significantly (p=0.00) infection rate (78%) with Eimeria spp. than sheep (68%). Also, the Eimeria prevalence in young animals < 12 months was significantly higher than that in older one (59.2%). All examined animals had multispecies infection. The most prevailing in sheep were E. ovinoidalis (45.6%), E. faurei (39.2%) and E. bakuensis (31.6%), whereas E. arloingi, (61.7%), E. caprovina (58.5%), E. ninakohlyakimovae (53.8%) and E. christenseni (46.2%) were the species detected in goats. No clinical signs were observed in infected animals. In Kuwait, Coccidiosis is probably subclinical, and its economic impact is overlooked. This report calls the attention of veterinarians and owners for the control of coccidiosis on small ruminant farms.