Observation

This question was also popular among the candidates. Majority of them were able to discuss coccidiosis diseases in farm animals and the effects of louse on its host. Description of the life cycle of louse posed a challenge for many candidates because majority of them were describing it as complete metamorphosis.
The expected answers include:       

(a) Description of life cycle of louse

(i) - Eggs are laid on the surface of the body of the host
- Eggs hatch into nymphs
- Nymphs moult
- Moulted nymphs become adult
- Adults live on the surface of the body of the host

(ii) Effects of louse on its host
- Bites cause skin irritation/restlessness/discomfort
- Sores on skin may result in secondary infection
- Results in low productivity
- Transmits diseases e.g. Typhus, trench fever
- Causes anaemia
- Emaciation/loss of weight
- Death/coma

(iii) Ways of controlling louse
- Regular cleaning of animal pens/good sanitation
- Avoidance of overcrowding of animals
- Dipping animals in insecticide solution
- Dusting of birds with appropriate chemicals
- Drenching with appropriate chemicals
- Quarantine new birds
- Ethno veterinary practices
- Use of injectables
- Vaccination/immunization

(iv) Farm animals infested by louse

- Cattle
- Sheep
- Goat
- Pig
- Camel
- Horse
- Rabbit
- Donkey
- Duck
- Turkey
- Quail
- Ostrich
- Guinea fowl
- Grasscutter
- Chicken/fowl

(b) Discussion on Coccidiosis

(i) Animals mostly infected
- Rabbit
- Turkey
- Chicken/fowl
- Duck
- Geese
- Grasscutter
- Goat
- Pig
- Ostrich
- Quail
- Guinea fowl
- Cattle

(ii) Causal agent
- Protozoa/Eimeria spp.

(i) Symptoms
- Blood stained diarrhoea
- Loss of appetite/anorexia
- Loss of weight /emaciation
- Low productivity
- Loss of hair/alopecia in rabbits
- Anaemia
- Death
- Sluggishness
- Droopy wings in poultry/rough feathers

(iii) Control measures
- Regular changing of litter
- Proper sanitation measures
- Vaccination
- Fumigation
- Use of coccidiostat in feed/water
- Burying/burning/incinerating dead animals