Abstract
A study was conducted from December to April 2013, with the aim of evaluating a system of selective antiparasitic treatments using the FAMACHA© color chart compared with a conventional suppressive deworming system every 30days in Pelibuey ewes during lactation. For the study, 54 ewes were used. They were randomly divided into two groups: FAMACHA and chemical treatments. The ewes in the first group received selective treatment depending on the ocular mucosa coloration (FAMACHA) and body condition score (BCS), while in the second group (chemical) all the animals remained under routine deworming every 30days. Fecal nematode egg counts, proportion of third-stage trichostrongylid larvae, body condition, coloration of the ocular mucosa, and packed cell volume in the ewes were determined, while in lambs only body weight (BW) was recorded. No significant differences (p > 0.05) were observed in any of the studied variables between groups; however, the use of antiparasitic drugs was reduced during the experimental period in the FAMACHA group and no deaths of lambs or ewes were recorded. The results indicate that during the lactation of ewes, a strategy of selective treatments can be implemented without showing deterioration in major health and productive parameters of these animals.
Highlights
In Cuba, as in most tropical countries, gastrointestinal parasitism in sheep is one of the most serious problems that reduce the productivity of sheep in grazing systems
The results indicate that during the lactation of ewes, a strategy of selective treatments can be implemented without showing deterioration in major health and productive parameters of these animals
Ewes are the main source of pasture infection after lambing and during lactation due to the effect of peripartum rise (PPR; Rocha et al 2004; Beasley et al 2010), which is related to an increase in the nematode egg laying rate as a result of a breakdown in the immunity of the hosts (Williams et al 2010; Beasley et al 2012)
Summary
In Cuba, as in most tropical countries, gastrointestinal parasitism in sheep is one of the most serious problems that reduce the productivity of sheep in grazing systems. Lambs and ewes are the most susceptible categories during lactation (Arece 2007), so the control programs should be primarily focused on susceptible animals (Bentounsi et al 2012). Under grazing production conditions, most sheep and goats, of all categories, are dewormed with fixed frequencies, sometimes at intervals between 21 and 30 days (González-Garduño et al 2014); this situation, along with other factors, has promoted the development of anthelmintic resistance (AR) to the available products (Molento et al 2011; Gasbarre 2014). AR in Cuba is not as widespread as in other countries, but some isolated reports are appearing, mainly in small ruminants as a result of the continuous use of anthelmintic drugs (Rodríguez-Diego et al 2015)
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