Cost-benefit of anthelmintic protocols in naturally infected sheep

Background: Gastrointestinal nematode infections are a major problem for sheep production, leading to large economic losses as a result of the high costs for prevention and treatment. In helminthiasis, the most common clinical signs are weight loss, submandibular edema, diarrhea, and anemia. Among the many nematodes, stands out in the Brazilian states Haemonchus contortus and Trichostrongylus colubriformis, as well as these parasites have developed a number of anthelmintic resistance. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the cost-benefit of different antihelminthic protocols in naturally infected sheep.Material, Methods & Results: The study was conducted for one year in a sheep farm located in Southern Brazil. Three groups (A, B and C) with 10 adult sheep each were used. The group A was treated without drug rotation, and levamisole hydrochloride was used at intervals of 60 days. The group B was treated with levamisole hydrochloride at months 2, 4, 8 and 12 and albendazole at month 6 (antiparasitic treatment with pharmacological rotation). Animals from the group C were treated after selection by the Famacha method, which is based on the degree of anemia of their mucous ocular membranes. The results showed that the animals of the group C had lower values of eggs per gram of feces (EPG), and thus, they were treated more efficiently...(AU)

Cost-benefit of anthelmintic protocols in naturally infected sheep

Background: Gastrointestinal nematode infections are a major problem for sheep production, leading to large economic losses as a result of the high costs for prevention and treatment. In helminthiasis, the most common clinical signs are weight loss, submandibular edema, diarrhea, and anemia. Among the many nematodes, stands out in the Brazilian states Haemonchus contortus and Trichostrongylus colubriformis, as well as these parasites have developed a number of anthelmintic resistance. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the cost-benefit of different antihelminthic protocols in naturally infected sheep.Material, Methods & Results: The study was conducted for one year in a sheep farm located in Southern Brazil. Three groups (A, B and C) with 10 adult sheep each were used. The group A was treated without drug rotation, and levamisole hydrochloride was used at intervals of 60 days. The group B was treated with levamisole hydrochloride at months 2, 4, 8 and 12 and albendazole at month 6 (antiparasitic treatment with pharmacological rotation). Animals from the group C were treated after selection by the Famacha method, which is based on the degree of anemia of their mucous ocular membranes. The results showed that the animals of the group C had lower values of eggs per gram of feces (EPG), and thus, they were treated more efficiently...

Occurrence of gastrointestinal parasites in goats from the Western Santa Catarina, Brazil / Ocorrência de parasitas gastrintestinais em caprinos na região Oeste de Santa Catarina, Brasil

This study aims to investigate the occurrence of gastrointestinal parasites in goats from the Western Santa Catarina, Brazil. Twenty four farms were analyzed in 17 different municipalities. Animals (n=217) from different production purposes (milk and meat) and age were randomly chosen. Fecal samples were collected from the rectum stored in plastic bottles and transported to the laboratory in portable coolers at 10 °C. The technique of centrifugal flotation with saturated sugar solution was carried out in order to investigate the presence of eggs, cysts, and oocysts of gastrointestinal parasites. In 88.9% of the investigated animals, it was observed that the presence of nematode eggs which belongs to the Strongylida order, after cultivation and larvae identification were identified as Haemonchus spp., Trichostrongylus spp., Teladorsagia spp., Cooperia spp., and Oesophagostomum spp. Eggs of Thysanosoma, Trichuris, Moniezia, and Neoascaris genus were also observed. Additionally, the presence of oocysts of Eimeria spp. and Cryptosporidium spp. as well as cysts of Giardia spp., and Entamoeba spp. were verified. In all the farms evaluated, the animals showed a single or mixed infection, with the highest occurrence of helminths belonging to the Haemonchus and Trichostrongylus genus, as well as the protozoan Eimeria.

O presente estudo objetivou investigar a ocorrência de parasitas gastrointestinais que infectam caprinos na região Oeste de Santa Catarina, Brasil. Foram analisadas 24 propriedades localizadas em 17 municípios, totalizando 217 caprinos. Os animais de diferentes categorias de produção (leite ou carne) e idade foram escolhidos aleatoriamente. A coleta das fezes foi realizada diretamente da ampola retal dos animais, armazenadas em frascos plásticos e transportadas para o laboratório em caixas térmicas a 10 °C. A técnica de centrífugo-flutuação com solução saturada de açúcar foi utilizada para pesquisar a presença de ovos, cistos e oocistos de parasitos. Em 88,9% dos animais analisados foi verificada a presença de ovos de nematóides da ordem Strongylida e, após cultivo, foram identificadas larvas de Haemonchus spp., Trichostrongylus spp., Teladorsagia spp., Cooperia spp. e Oesophagostomum spp. Foram identificados também ovos de parasitos dos gêneros Thysanosoma, Trichuris, Moniezia e Neoascaris. A presença de oocistos de Eimeria spp. e Cryptosporidium spp., e cistos de Giardia spp., e Entamoeba spp. foram observadas. Em todas as propriedades avaliadas, os animais apresentavam infecções simples ou mistas, sendo a maior ocorrência de helmintos do gênero Haemonchus e Trichostrongylus, assim como pelo protozoário Eimeria.