Effect of selective anthelmintic treatments on health and production parameters in Pelibuey ewes during lactation

Abstract

A study was conducted from December to April 2013, with the aim of evaluating a system of selective antiparasitic treatments using the FAMACHA© color chart compared with a conventional suppressive deworming system every 30 days in Pelibuey ewes during lactation. For the study, 54 ewes were used. They were randomly divided into two groups: FAMACHA and chemical treatments. The ewes in the first group received selective treatment depending on the ocular mucosa coloration (FAMACHA) and body condition score (BCS), while in the second group (chemical) all the animals remained under routine deworming every 30 days. Fecal nematode egg counts, proportion of third-stage trichostrongylid larvae, body condition, coloration of the ocular mucosa, and packed cell volume in the ewes were determined, while in lambs only body weight (BW) was recorded. No significant differences (p > 0.05) were observed in any of the studied variables between groups; however, the use of antiparasitic drugs was reduced during the experimental period in the FAMACHA group and no deaths of lambs or ewes were recorded. The results indicate that during the lactation of ewes, a strategy of selective treatments can be implemented without showing deterioration in major health and productive parameters of these animals.

Control of gastrointestinal helminths in small ruminants to prevent anthelmintic resistance: the Italian experience

“…after lambing, related to the post-parturient rise) and the nematode species present, e.g. H. contortus females are particularly fecund, resulting in high FECs even when worm burdens are low (Kenyon et al ., 2009 ; Arece-García et al ., 2016 ). Production indicators have been largely used for TST in sheep because they are often easier to measure on an individual basis and are widely preferred by farmers, allowing equipment and labour to be justified by broader use than just parasite control (Charlier et al ., 2014 ).…”

Preliminary Assessment of Body Condition Score as a Possible Marker for the Targeted Selective Treatment of Dairy Sheep Against Gastrointestinal Nematodes

“…Overall, TST programs can be based on various parameters such as: Faecal Egg Counts (FEC), Hematocrit (HCT) values, direct assessments of the degree of anemia through examination of the conjunctival mucosa (ocular mucosa coloration-OMC; FAMACHA method), faecal consistency score, milk production, weight loss and Body condition score (BCS) [2,13,[18][19][20][21][22][23]. The choice of parameter varies according to the parasitological situation present (prevalent nematode species), type of production (meat, milk, or wool), available resources and technical circumstances of the farm [2,24].…”

“…The choice of parameter varies according to the parasitological situation present (prevalent nematode species), type of production (meat, milk, or wool), available resources and technical circumstances of the farm [ 2 , 24 ]. For example, FEC, employed with different threshold values, is an effective parameter but challenging when applied in large flocks [ 22 ] since egg excretion is dependent on the physiological situation of treated animals (e.g. after lambing, related to the post-parturient rise) and nematode species present (e.g.…”

“…Regardless, researching and validating new measures in the fight against AR (such as TSTs) is of significant economic-health interest, in particular in geographic areas where infections with bloodsucking nematodes such as H. contortus are widespread. Nonetheless, in that specific situation, the application of the FAMACHA method and the evaluation of HCT values may be considered most suitable for worm burden evaluation [ 22 ].…”

High energy levels in the diet reduce the parasitic effect of Haemonchus contortus in Pelibuey sheep

“…It therefore causes economic losses to production systems that are exacerbated by the cost of the chemical products used for its control which, at the same time, often have low efficiency due to the increasing resistance of GIN to most anthelmintics (Callanan et al, 2018;Crook et al, 2016;Doyle et al, 2018). Several alternatives can be combined to compensate for the low efficiency of chemical products, including those that function by delaying or reducing the effects of anthelmintic resistance and improving the health conditions of animals (Arece-García et al, 2016;Campbell et al, 2017;Westers et al, 2017). One alternative, for example, is the development of natural resistance in hosts through improving their immune response.…”