Determining the efficacy of Red Cell® in combination with anthelmintics against gastrointestinal nematode parasitism in sheep and goats

Abstract

Small ruminants are highly susceptible to infection with gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN), particularly Haemonchus contortus, a blood-feeder that can cause severe anemia and death losses in untreated animals. Anecdotal evidence has suggested that short-term treatment of heavily infected animals with Red Cell®, a vitamin and mineral supplement, in combination with anthelmintic drugs may reduce morbidity and mortality. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of Red Cell® on GIN infection in small ruminants. Four experiments were conducted and comprised of a two-week trial using mixed-sex naturally parasitized hair sheep lambs or intact male Spanish goat kids housed on pasture. The treatments consisted of 30 mL Red Cell® with or without albendazole (Exp. 1, lambs), levamisole (Exp. 2, lambs and Exp. 3, goats), or moxidectin (Exp. 4, goats), the anthelmintic alone, or water only (control). Fecal and blood samples were collected from individual animals on Day 0, 7, and 14. Fecal egg counts and blood packed cell volume analyses were conducted. Overall, though anthelmintic treatments did influence FEC and PCV, there was no effect of Red Cell® treatment.