Risk factors of diarrhea in small ruminants in Kuwait

• Published in: Iranian journal of veterinary research Vol. 22; no. 2; pp. 146 - 149
• Main Authors: Abdou, N-E M I, Majeed, Q A H, El-Azazy, O M E, Tahrani, L M A, AlAzemi, M S, Alajmi, A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Shiraz, Iran School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Shiraz 01.03.2021
• Subjects: Short Paper
• ISSN: 1728-1997; 2252-0589
• DOI: 10.22099/ijvr.2021.38092.5546

BACKGROUNDDiarrhea is the most severe disease affecting small ruminant farms, even though there is continuous progress in the control and prevention strategies. AIMSThis study aimed to identify some of the risk factors associated with diarrhea in small ruminants in Kuwait. METHODSFaecal samples from 556 animals (334 sheep and 222 goats) were collected and examined for different enteropathogens. The collected data from animals and herd management were finally analysed. RESULTSStatistical analysis identified that age (pre-weaned; P=0.022, OR=2.38), herd size (large; P=0.037, OR=1.7), and season (dry; P=0.022, OR=2.39) were as non-infectious risk factors of the diarrhea occurrence. It was found that Escherichia coli K99 (P=0.000, OR=7.7), Cryptosporidium spp. (P=0.000, OR=586), and Eimeria spp. (P=0.000, OR=2.97) were reported more frequently in diarrheic animals than non-diarrheic ones. CONCLUSIONPre-weaned small ruminants reared in the large herd were more susceptible to diarrhea. Escherichia coli K99, Cryptosporidium spp., and Eimeria spp. were the most predominant enteropathogens causing diarrhea in small ruminants in Kuwait. Diarrhea was more common in dry season than in wet season.