The effect of housing and anthelmintic treatment on pre-weaning kid death rate and infestation with gastrointestinal helminthes

Author: A.T. Chikwanda, C. Mutisi, S. Sibanda, S.M. Makuza, N.T. Kusina & D. Chikwanda
Year: 2013
Issue: 1
Volume: 6
Page: 32 - 35

The effects of type of goat housing and provision of anthelmintic treatment on kid mortality and the prevalence of internal parasites were investigated in this study. Thirty six flocks of goats, of multiple ages and mixed sexes, belonging to Rushinga Communal area farmers were selected from 3 flock sizes (1 to 5; 6 to 10 and >10 goats/flock) and were randomly allocated to 2 types of goat housing (i.e. pole walled and an improved housing) and to 2 anthelmintic treatments (untreated and de-wormed with Valbazen), over a two year period. The worm remedy was chosen on the basis of relative availability and affordability compared to other drugs. The dosage of the anthelmintic was done by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Death rate of kids was low across all treatments (<15.36 ± 6.36 deaths/100 kids/first six months from birth) and was not affected by type of housing or the anthelmintic drug. Egg numbers, as low as 1.45 ± 1.09 and 1.91 ± 1.10 per gram of faeces, of Strongyle and occasionally Moniezia species were observed in the faecal samples. The most prevalent nematode larvae in the faecal cultures were Haemonchus contortus (70.05 ± 1.85% infestation rate), Cooperia (13.70 ± 0.96% infestation rate), Trichostrongylus (8.08 ± 0.86% infestation rate) and Strongyloides (2.84 ± 0.57% infestation rate). The prevalence of Haemonchus contortus was significantly affected by a three-way interaction of type of housing, anthelmintic treatment and season. It was concluded that kid death rate and the prevalence of internal parasites was low.

 

Keywords: kid death rate
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