Alliums and coccidiosis
As I have mentioned in other threads,
I have a residual coccidiosis infection on the property I now rent.
It has been the home of livestock [including rabbits] for over 100 years.
Before I even had any problem with my rabbits- I knew there was a Cocci problem-- because,- the man who owns this property , [and was born and raised on it]- told me-- "if you are going to "hatch biddies" be sure to plant onions and feed some chopped onion tops to them every Saturday or they will all die". That was all I needed to know to be aware that the problem was coccidiosis.
Coccidiosis is a silent underlying problem for many livestock, Rabbits included.
Many times, common problems like-slow growing, bloating, rough coat, poor appetite, loose stool, weaning enteritis, sudden death, are chalked up to “these things happen”. or "mystery illness"
The fact is- coccidiosis is an ever present, unidentified, underlying problem in many rabbitries.
Allium family plants, especially garlic chives, garlic tops and green onion tops work great as a treatment and a preventive for those who have an identified , or suspected infection.
There is a great volume of documented evidence that show garlic does not harm rabbits when it is eaten –
The studies that claim garlic damages rabbits were all based on injecting garlic concentrates into their blood, bodies, or body cavities.
The studies where garlic is given orally, show no negative effect on blood chemistry, also show elimination of hepatic , and intestinal coccidiosis, healing of liver damage caused by coccidiosis, and general improvements in health.
Summary of some one these studies…
J Egy
Efficacy of garlic extract on hepatic coccidiosis in infected rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus): histological and biochemical studies
Toulah FH1, Al-Rawi MM.
Author information
Abstract
The rabbits were divided into three groups, of 12 rabbits each. G1 was the (non-infected non-treated) as control, G2 was the (infected-non treated), and G3 was the (infected and treated) rabbits. Each rabbit in the infected groups were given (10(3)) sporuleted oocysts of Eimeria stiedae per rabbit after forty five days exactly. Faecal sample of rabbits from each group were examined each day post infection till oocysts appeared in faeces. The treatment was given by using suitable dosage of garlic according to body weight. After 15, 21, 28, & 35 days post-treatment faecal oocysts were output. Biochemical parameters as serum liver function (ALT, AST, GGT & ALP) that denoted the he-patic cells injury. The results showed a significant differences in the mean values of oocysts shedding and their mean number in bile ducts between Gs 2 &3 from the 15th day post infection (PI) (mean +/-SD:40.33 +/- 16.72 & 25.17 +/- .56 respectively) till the experimental end on the 35th day (55.75 +/- 19.79 & 0.94 +/- 1.43 respectively). The histopathological alterations were in liver of G2 at the experimental end. Coccidiosis in G2 induced histopathological alterations in liver tissue, marked cytoplasmic vacuolations in hepatocytes with clear signs of karyolysis, and dilatation of sinusoids with increase in Kupffer cells. Leukocytic infiltration around congested blood vessels was noticed. Efficacy of garlic on E. stiedae in infected Gs was resident. The liver of G3 regained almost normal appearance compared to control.
European Journal of Medicinal Plants
2(4): 290-307, 2012
SCIENCEDOMAIN international
http://www.sciencedomain.org
Haematological and Hepatotoxic Potential of
Onion (Allium cepa) and Garlic (Allium sativum)
I have been feeding Garlic chives as a coccidiosis preventative consistently for about 3 years, and off and on for a very long time, with no negative observations.
My program is- to feed a small handful to the doe about a week before kindling, and once a week beginning just as the kits begin to come out of the nest box [and keep the cage clean] a small handful is about 10 inches long and about quarter size in diameter.
Since I have implemented this program- I only see problems when I forget to feed the chives.
If any symptoms are seen in kits I feed as much as they will clean up in about 30 to 45 minutes, for a few days.
I have found—if sick young rabbits will eat the garlic chives they will get better quickly, if they will not eat the garlic chives they will die.
As I have mentioned in other threads,
I have a residual coccidiosis infection on the property I now rent.
It has been the home of livestock [including rabbits] for over 100 years.
Before I even had any problem with my rabbits- I knew there was a Cocci problem-- because,- the man who owns this property , [and was born and raised on it]- told me-- "if you are going to "hatch biddies" be sure to plant onions and feed some chopped onion tops to them every Saturday or they will all die". That was all I needed to know to be aware that the problem was coccidiosis.
Coccidiosis is a silent underlying problem for many livestock, Rabbits included.
Many times, common problems like-slow growing, bloating, rough coat, poor appetite, loose stool, weaning enteritis, sudden death, are chalked up to “these things happen”. or "mystery illness"
The fact is- coccidiosis is an ever present, unidentified, underlying problem in many rabbitries.
Allium family plants, especially garlic chives, garlic tops and green onion tops work great as a treatment and a preventive for those who have an identified , or suspected infection.
There is a great volume of documented evidence that show garlic does not harm rabbits when it is eaten –
The studies that claim garlic damages rabbits were all based on injecting garlic concentrates into their blood, bodies, or body cavities.
The studies where garlic is given orally, show no negative effect on blood chemistry, also show elimination of hepatic , and intestinal coccidiosis, healing of liver damage caused by coccidiosis, and general improvements in health.
Summary of some one these studies…
J Egy
Efficacy of garlic extract on hepatic coccidiosis in infected rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus): histological and biochemical studies
Toulah FH1, Al-Rawi MM.
Author information
Abstract
The rabbits were divided into three groups, of 12 rabbits each. G1 was the (non-infected non-treated) as control, G2 was the (infected-non treated), and G3 was the (infected and treated) rabbits. Each rabbit in the infected groups were given (10(3)) sporuleted oocysts of Eimeria stiedae per rabbit after forty five days exactly. Faecal sample of rabbits from each group were examined each day post infection till oocysts appeared in faeces. The treatment was given by using suitable dosage of garlic according to body weight. After 15, 21, 28, & 35 days post-treatment faecal oocysts were output. Biochemical parameters as serum liver function (ALT, AST, GGT & ALP) that denoted the he-patic cells injury. The results showed a significant differences in the mean values of oocysts shedding and their mean number in bile ducts between Gs 2 &3 from the 15th day post infection (PI) (mean +/-SD:40.33 +/- 16.72 & 25.17 +/- .56 respectively) till the experimental end on the 35th day (55.75 +/- 19.79 & 0.94 +/- 1.43 respectively). The histopathological alterations were in liver of G2 at the experimental end. Coccidiosis in G2 induced histopathological alterations in liver tissue, marked cytoplasmic vacuolations in hepatocytes with clear signs of karyolysis, and dilatation of sinusoids with increase in Kupffer cells. Leukocytic infiltration around congested blood vessels was noticed. Efficacy of garlic on E. stiedae in infected Gs was resident. The liver of G3 regained almost normal appearance compared to control.
European Journal of Medicinal Plants
2(4): 290-307, 2012
SCIENCEDOMAIN international
http://www.sciencedomain.org
Haematological and Hepatotoxic Potential of
Onion (Allium cepa) and Garlic (Allium sativum)
I have been feeding Garlic chives as a coccidiosis preventative consistently for about 3 years, and off and on for a very long time, with no negative observations.
My program is- to feed a small handful to the doe about a week before kindling, and once a week beginning just as the kits begin to come out of the nest box [and keep the cage clean] a small handful is about 10 inches long and about quarter size in diameter.
Since I have implemented this program- I only see problems when I forget to feed the chives.
If any symptoms are seen in kits I feed as much as they will clean up in about 30 to 45 minutes, for a few days.
I have found—if sick young rabbits will eat the garlic chives they will get better quickly, if they will not eat the garlic chives they will die.