A highly pathogenic form of coccidiosis, caused by Eimeria necatrix, in which the parasite is present in the small intestine and in the caecum. It occurs in chickens worldwide and has variable morbidity but mortality is high in severely affected birds.

Signs

Reduced feed consumption.

Depression.

Ruffled feathers.

Closed eyes.

Inappetance.

Poor production.

Diarrhoea,

blood in faeces.

Diagnosis

Lesions, microscopic examination of scrapings Differentiate from necrotic enteritis, other types of coccidiosis.

Treatment

Toltrazuril, Sulphonamides, Amprolium, Vitamins A and K in feed or water

Prevention

Coccidiostats in feed, vaccination, hygiene. This is one of the less immunogenic species, commercial vaccines commonly contain more than one strain of E. maxima.

. Information taken from the poultrysite.