Farmer practices that influence risk factors, prevalence and control strategies of rabbit coccidiosis in Central Kenya

Abstract

Rabbit production is a fast growing industry in Kenya. Despite the growth, an assessment of farmer's knowledge, attitude, and practices that influence the occurrence of rabbit coccidiosis is not documented. This study was conducted in Central Kenya to assess farmers' practices that influence risk factors, prevalence, and control strategies of rabbit coccidiosis. Questionnaires were used to collect data from 97 rabbit farmers and 27 agro-veterinary outlets. Prevalence and intensity of coccidia infection were also determined.

Results revealed that rabbit production is majorly carried out by smallholder (53.6%) farmers who on average keep less than 10 rabbits. The overall prevalence of coccidiosis in the two counties was 49% with infection intensity ranging from 100 to 12.0 x 104 oocysts per gram. Poor housing structures (10.5%), inefficient and irregular cleaning methods (74.2%) were the major risk factors for coccidiosis. The majority of farmers reported treating coccidiosis using Sulpha-chloropyrazine (22%) and Trimethoprim/Sulphamethoxazole combination (15%). Non-chemotherapeutic methods used in the management of coccidiosis included the ethnoveterinary use of Aloe vera and and liquid paraffin. The study recommends that strategic farmers' training on best practices in rabbit production and health should be carried out and that a controlled laboratory and field study be conducted to determine the efficacy of the commonly used treatment and control strategies for rabbit coccidiosis amongst the available methods.