Prevalence of Rabbit Coccidiosis and Comparative Efficacy of Amprolium and Sulfaquinoxaline at the Regional Agricultural Research Station, Lumle, Nepal

Abstract

Rabbit coccidiosis is an important enteric and hepatic parasitic disease that can reduce productivity, particularly where environmental contamination permits continuous exposure to Eimeria oocysts. This study evaluated the prevalence and intensity of coccidial infection, identified Eimeria species by oocyst morphology, and compared the therapeutic performance of amprolium and sulfaquinoxaline in rabbits maintained at the Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS), Lumle, Kaski, Nepal. Faecal samples from 64 cages were examined by direct smear, flotation, and the McMaster technique. The overall prevalence was 59.37% (38/64), with no significant association with age (>3 months: 60.87%; <3 months: 55.55%; p=0.697) or breed (Soviet Chinchilla: 67.6%; Hyline California: 50.0%; p=0.151). Nine Eimeria species were identified in the inoculum: E. media, E. coecicola, E. piriformis, E. stiedae, E. perforans, E. magna, E. flavescens, E. intestinalis, and E. exigua. For the therapeutic trial, 30 rabbits were allocated to four groups: amprolium-treated, sulfaquinoxaline-treated, infected untreated, and uninfected untreated. Treated rabbits received the respective drugs in drinking water at 1 g/L for 7 days after oral challenge with 5,000 sporulated oocysts. By day 7 after treatment, amprolium reduced oocyst shedding by 41.05%, whereas sulfaquinoxaline achieved an 81.86% reduction at that time point and an overall calculated efficacy of 74.83%. Sulfaquinoxaline-treated rabbits shed significantly fewer oocysts than the amprolium and positive-control groups. These findings indicate substantial Eimeria exposure in the studied rabbit population and support integrated control emphasising sanitation and prevention, with sulfaquinoxaline showing greater short-term oocyst reduction than amprolium under the conditions of this trial.