The potential role of pasture management in the control of trichostrongyle worm infection in calves with observations on the diagnostic value of plasma pepsinogen determinations.

Abstract

Abstract Extract Complete integration of therapeutic treatment with pasture management has been, for many years the preoccupation of veterinary parasitologists seeking the most effective means of controlling trichostrongyle infections in ruminants. The simplicity and effectiveness of this approach has been demonstrated by recent studies in the British Isles. In a series of controlled trials, conducted over several years, Michel (1968 Michel, J. F. 1968. The control of stomach-worm infection in young cattle. J. Br. Grassld Soc., 23: 165–173. [Google Scholar], 1969 Michel, J. F. 1969. Observations on the epidemiology of parasitic gastro-enteritis in calves. J. Helminth., 43: 111–133. [Google Scholar]) has shown that a single change of pasture in summer (to pasture not grazed since winter) accompanied by one effective anthelmintic treatment will adequately control parasitic gastro-enteritis in calves and permit the achievement of linear weight gains.