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Authors: FAIZAL, A. C. M.; RAJAPAKSHA, W. R. A. K. J. S.¹; RAJAPAKSE, R. P. V. J.²

Source: Journal of Veterinary Medicine, Series B, Volume 49, Number 3, April 2002 , pp. 115-119(5)

Abstract:

The benefit of gastrointestinal nematode control in cross-bred goats in the dry area of Sri Lanka was studied throughout 1 year by comparing the performances of three groups: group 1 animals (n=11) were left untreated against gastrointestinal nematodes; group 2 animals (n=11) were given monthly anthelmintic treatment, doramectin, at the dose rate of 300 μg/kg bodyweight during the entire study period; group 3 animals (n=11) were also given monthly doramectin treatment at the dose rate of 300 μg/kg bodyweight but only during the rainy months, October to January and again once in April. All three groups were turned out together on to communal pasture. Tracers were used for the monthly estimation of gastrointestinal nematode burdens. Four untreated animals and a group 3 animal suffered from parasitic gastroenteritis during the study period. When compared with the controls, the treated groups had significantly lower gastrointestinal nematode infection as indicated by faecal egg counts (P<0.01). Faecal egg counts in group 3 were significantly higher than those in group 2 (P<0.01). When compared with the controls, the treated groups had significantly greater weight gains (P<0.05). Haemonchus contortus and Trichostrongylus colubriformis were the predominant gastrointestinal nematodes identified from tracers. The worm burden varied according to the rainfall pattern, with very minimal transmission during the dry period which extends from May to August. Under the conditions of this study, the monthly anthelmintic treatments increased weight gains and prevented parasitic gastroenteritis of goats in the dry zone of Sri Lanka.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1046/j.1439-0450.2002.00511.x

Affiliations: 1: Veterinary Research Institute, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 2: Department of Veterinary Para Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

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Benefit of the Control of Gastrointestinal Nematode Infection in Goats in the Dry Zone of Sri Lanka