Evaluation of strategic and selective anthelmintic treatments on Pelibuey ewes in Cuba

Abstract

Background: gastrointestinal parasitism is an important limitation for sheep production in Cuba. This situation is worsened by the lack of an effective parasite control strategy. Objective: to assess whether selective and strategic treatments could help achieve a level of control of nematodes similar to systematic drenchings. Methods: an experimental group of 73 Pelibuey ewes was divided into four groups: 1) the Epizoo group (Epizootiological drenching schedule) was dewormed at lambing in the middle of the dry season and at weaning; 2) the FAMACHA© group was treated according to the color of ocular mucosa as indicative of anemia (Categories 4 and 5 of the FAMACHA© color chart); 3) the Chemical group was drenched every three months; and 4) the control group, in which animals remained untreated unless fecal egg count (FEC) was higher than 1500 eggs per gram of feces or the packed cell volume (PCV) was lower than 15%. FECs, body scorings (BCS), hematocrits and color of ocular mucosa (COM) were evaluated monthly. Results: the control group showed the highest FEC and the lowest PCV. We also observed similar levels of FEC and body condition (BCS) in the Epizoo, FAMACHA© and Chemical groups. The PCV in FAMACHA© group was the highest, while no differences were found between the other two groups. Hematocrit had a strong negative correlation (-0.41) with FEC. The FAMACHA© method allowed a dramatic decrease in anthelmintic use. Conclusions: the obtained results suggest that FAMACHA© method could be incorporated as part of an effective parasite control strategy in sheep.

Keywords

• anemia
• membranas mucosas
• Haemonchus spp
• ovinos
• desparasitación