PREVALENCE AND CHEMOTHERAPY OF COCCIDIAL INFECTIONS IN BROILERS IN MUZAFFARABAD

Abstract

The present study was performed to know the prevalence of coccidiosis and efficacy
of anti-coccidial drugs in the capital city of Muzaffarabad, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan. A total of 573
broiler birds of different age groups were sampled from the study area farms and processed
accordingly. Fecal flotation and McMaster egg counting techniques were used for Oocyst
identification and counting, respectively. Postmortem of birds was performed to know the lesions and

type of coccidiosis present in the birds. Drug trial was also carried out to evaluate the efficacy of anti-
coccidial drugs available in the study area market. An overall 19.37% (111/573) prevalence of

Coccidiosis was observed in study area. Among different age groups, broilers below three weeks of
age were found more susceptible to infection. During summer season higher prevalence was recorded.
Different risk factors were found associated with coccidial infection in the study area. Five
anticoccidial drugs available in the market have been found effective with different efficacy level.
Among the anticoccidial drugs used during the present investigation, Sulphadimerazine 86% had
shown better effect. Besides these anticoccidial drugs, a herbal plant locally known as Sumbal was also
used and found potent against Coccidiosis. This is a good alternate choice used in field conditions
along with synthetic anti-coccidial for the treatment and control of coccidiosis. It was deduced that
prevalence of coccidiosis recorded in study area was comparatively lower than prevalence recorded in
other parts of the world. Furthermore, Sulphadimerazine 86% have shown comparatively better
efficacy than other drugs.