Effects of nematode parasitism on activity patterns in first-season grazing cattle

Davis

et al. 2022

Animals

The application of precision livestock farming (PLF) technologies will underpin new strategies to support the control of livestock disease. However, PLF technology is underexploited within the sheep industry compared to other livestock sectors, and research is essential to identify opportunities for PLF applications. These opportunities include the control of endemic sheep disease such as parasitic gastroenteritis, caused by gastrointestinal nematode infections, which is estimated to cost the European sheep industry EUR 120 million annually. In this study, tri-axial accelerometers recorded the behaviour of 54 periparturient Welsh Mule ewes to discover if gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) infection burden, as measured by faecal egg count (FEC), was associated with behavioural variation. Linear mixed models identified that increasing FECs in periparturient ewes were significantly associated with a greater number of lying bouts per day and lower bout durations (p = 0.013 and p = 0.010, respectively). The results demonstrate that FECs of housed periparturient ewes are associated with detectable variations in ewe behaviour, and as such, with further investigation there is potential to develop future targeted selective treatment protocols against GIN in sheep based on behaviour as measured by PLF technologies.

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Associations between Gastrointestinal Nematode Infection Burden and Lying Behaviour as Measured by Accelerometers in Periparturient Ewes

Davis

et al. 2022

Animals

“…As expected, the significant associations of cows' body condition score and the prevalence of gastrointestinal helminthiasis depict the importance of gastrointestinal helminths in the welfare of dairy cows. The effect of helminthiasis on general conditions of cows possibly due to progressive reduction in body weight [ 23 ] or/and the inability of poorly conditioned cows to completely reject worms or prevent larva establishment due to weak immunity as ascribed elsewhere [ 24 ]. Moreover, a non-significant difference of helminths infection prevalence in a dewormed and non-dewormed group of cows indicates a therapeutic failure, possibly due to the emergence of anthelmintic resistance by the parasites.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence and associated factors of gastrointestinal helminthiasis of lactating cow and effect of strategic deworming on milk quantity, fat, and protein in Kucha, Ethiopia

Haymanot

Kaba

2022

BMC Vet Res

Background Gastrointestinal helminthiasis poses economic impacts on the dairy sector by reducing milk production. This study aimed at estimating the prevalence of gastrointestinal helminthiasis, the burden of helminths, and appraising potential factors associated with the prevalence in lactating cows. The study was also designed to elucidate the effects of anthelmintic treatment on milk yield, milk fat, and protein content in the Kucha district. Methods A cross-sectional and field clinical trial study designs were used. Standard parasitological techniques (floatation and sedimentation) were employed to detect cows’ infection status. McMaster and Stoll’s egg counting methods were used to estimate helminths' burden. All putative factors that might have been linked with infection were recorded by field observations and farmers' interviews. Sixty cows tested positive for the parasitic infection in the cross-sectional study design were randomly assigned into one of the two groups (dewormed Vs control). Milk yield, milk fat and protein contents were recorded in both groups on day zero and then on weekly basis. Descriptive statistics, binary logistic regression, and repeated measure ANOVA were used to analyze the data. Results Overall, of 422 examined cows, 150 (35.5%, 95% CI; 30.9-40.3%) were infected with at least one of the gastrointestinal helminth parasites. Strongyle nematode was the predominant type accounting for 52% of the total record. Analysis of fecal egg count (FEC) in infected cows depicts the highest record of Parampistomum egg, accounting 457.14 ± 275.45 Egg per gram (EPG) of feces. The prevalence of gastrointestinal helminthiasis in cow that had an average body condition score of 1.7 was over two fold higher (OR = 2.19, 95% CI = 1.17–4.17, P = 0.016) than in cows with 6.3 body condition score. A significant improvement in milk yield, milk fat, and milk protein was observed in dewormed cows over 28 days period. Conclusion Gastrointestinal helminthiasis is threatening the welfare of lactating cows in Kucha, Ethiopia given its negative association with the body condition score. Gastrointestinal helminths are responsible for the reduction of milk yield and loss of milk fat and protein. However, an improvement in milk yield, milk fat, and milk protein after deworming using Tetrox® (Tetramisole and Oxyclozanide combination), a new drug to the area/ a drug used by relatively few farmers in the study area, proves the effectiveness of strategic deworming.

“…Sensor systems can detect a variety of infectious diseases, metabolic disorders and lameness. For example, sensors have been shown to detect changes in the locomotion and lying and/or feeding behaviours in cattle or sheep affected by mastitis [ 31 , 32 , 33 ], metritis [ 34 ], ketosis [ 35 ], lameness [ 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 ], respiratory disease [ 40 ], gastrointestinal parasites [ 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 ] or a clinical disease in general [ 46 ]. Several of the conditions can also be detected at an earlier stage than by manual monitoring, even before the onset of clinical signs.…”

Section: Sensor Technologiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Animal Welfare Implications of Digital Tools for Monitoring and Management of Cattle and Sheep on Pasture

Herlin

Brunberg

Hultgren

et al. 2021

Animals

Self Cite

The opportunities for natural animal behaviours in pastures imply animal welfare benefits. Nevertheless, monitoring the animals can be challenging. The use of sensors, cameras, positioning equipment and unmanned aerial vehicles in large pastures has the potential to improve animal welfare surveillance. Directly or indirectly, sensors measure environmental factors together with the behaviour and physiological state of the animal, and deviations can trigger alarms for, e.g., disease, heat stress and imminent calving. Electronic positioning includes Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) for the recording of animals at fixed points. Positioning units (GPS) mounted on collars can determine animal movements over large areas, determine their habitat and, somewhat, health and welfare. In combination with other sensors, such units can give information that helps to evaluate the welfare of free-ranging animals. Drones equipped with cameras can also locate and count the animals, as well as herd them. Digitally defined virtual fences can keep animals within a predefined area without the use of physical barriers, relying on acoustic signals and weak electric shocks. Due to individual variations in learning ability, some individuals may be exposed to numerous electric shocks, which might compromise their welfare. More research and development are required, especially regarding the use of drones and virtual fences.