Are Ionophores the Key for Managing Coccidiosis in Calves?

What is an Ionophore? Ionophores are feed additives commonly used in cattle diets to increase feed efficiency and growth. Monensin (Rumensin), lasolocid (Bovatec), and laidlomycin propionate (Cattlyst) are ionophores that are on the market. These feed additives are classified as nontherapeutic antibiotics; while they do not require a veterinary feed directive, “off-label” (or “extra-label”) uses are currently prohibited. Ionophores work by shifting the populations of bacteria within the rumen from lactic and acetic acid producing colonies to propionic acid producing colonies. This improves the overall efficiency of the rumen. Ionophores can reduce the incidences of bloat and acidosis. Furthermore, select ionophores aid in the control of coccidiosis.

What is Coccidiosis? Coccidiosis is an illness caused by protozoan parasites. In cattle, infection by these parasites causes an intestinal disease with signs of diarrhea (with or without the presence of blood), decreased appetite, and mild depression. Severe infections can progress to profound weight loss and depression, pale mucous membranes, and straining. Typically, these infections occur at 1 to 2 months of age, but it is possible to see these infections in older cattle, particularly in the early feeding period.

Ionophores and Coccidiosis Ionophores can be utilized to control coccidiosis in young calves until their natural immunity builds up to fight off infections. These additives achieve this goal by killing coccidia at a specific stage of growth by changing the environment of the gut, leading to the death of these protozoa parasites. In mature cattle, feeding ionophores may reduce the amount of coccidia shed through the animal’s feces. As such, this may help reduce the number of coccidia oocysts (the infective form of the protozoa) spread into the calf’s environment.

Most mature cows have low levels of coccidia oocysts in their digestive tracts that they shed into the environment through their manure. Even though the cows remain unaffected, they are unknowingly exposing their calves to this parasite.

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